Collective Advocacy

Played a key role in advancing state legislation to establish civil service qualifications and a statewide exam for Director of Facilities positions, streamlining certification processes for professionals.

Provides scholarships to members and their dependent children to help reduce college expenses, supporting educational access and member retention.

Developed and maintains a living handbook as a quick reference guide for members' daily duties, updating it regularly in response to changes in requirements, laws, and regulations.

Organizes and hosts an annual conference and expo, webinars, an annual academy series, and the Classrooms of the Future Summit through its educational arm, the School Facilities Management Institute, to deliver professional learning and networking opportunities.

Provides refunds for program or event cancellations when received at least four weeks in advance, supporting member flexibility and financial planning.

Maintains a job bank to connect school districts with qualified candidates and support member career advancement by sharing open facilities management positions.

Collects feedback and ideas from members on programs, policies, and association operations through a member suggestion box to inform organizational improvements and responsiveness.

Offers members one-hour free telephone consultations with legal counsel to address professional legal concerns, enhancing their capacity to manage complex regulatory and operational issues.

Offers training, certification, and professional development programs, including ongoing support through the School Facilities Management Institute, to advance the skills and knowledge of school facilities professionals across New York State.

Provides organizational and logistical support to 18 local chapters that conduct regular meetings, events, and educational opportunities for school facilities professionals.

Engages in advocacy efforts related to New York State Education Department (NYSED) regulations, including issuing position letters and analysis on the implementation of Substantial Equivalency Regulation (Part 130), and advocating for state recognition of Montessori teacher certification.

Hosts quarterly in-person and virtual meetings, as well as larger conferences, to connect the Montessori community across New York State, featuring networking, professional development, and panel discussions on topics such as equity in Montessori education.

Offers membership to schools and individuals, maintains a list of member schools, and provides a platform for member schools to post job openings, supporting professional networking and recruitment in the Montessori community.

Offers professional development opportunities including workshops, speaker events, and conferences for Montessori educators and administrators across New York State. These include in-person and virtual formats and contribute to professional development hour requirements for members.

Advocates with government to establish sound laws and regulations and to secure adequate resources to support member schools. This includes representing the coalition's members in policy discussions and resourcing decisions.

Gathers and shares timely, actionable information about policy changes and regulatory developments that impact member schools’ ability to carry out their missions.

Advocates for efficiency and economy in small city school districts across New York State and communicates student needs to state leadership and the public.

Advocates at the federal, state, and local levels for equitable and adequate school funding and high-quality education for students in urban districts, including through representation of the collective interests of New York State's eight largest urban school districts, which serve 46% of the state’s public school students.