The New York State School Boards Association unanimously voted Assemblyman William B. Magnarelli as State Leader of the Year. The honor is in recognition of his contributions to public education, specifically sponsoring a bill that would specify the amount of time a tenured teacher could be on suspension.

“In 2008, Assemblyman Magnarelli displayed his courage and leadership by introducing legislation to streamline the tenured teacher and administrator disciplinary process. The introduction of this politically charged legislation helped to achieve the enactment of a new law last year that allows for the termination of convicted sex offenders from the classroom,” said New York State School Boards Association Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer.

“We look forward to working with the Assemblyman to enact the remaining provisions of the teacher disciplinary bill to ensure that New York's students have quality educators in every school," Kremer said.

A11337, the bill referred to, did not move through the Assembly in 2008. Magnarelli is reintroducing the reform bill in the 2009 Legislative session.

“The bill is aimed at reforming the teacher disciplinary process. It allows for due process, but serves teachers, students and the educational system by not allowing the wait to draw out beyond a reasonable time,” Magnarelli said. “I am honored that the New York State School Boards Association recognizes my efforts to lead the effort in addressing an issue that plagues many districts.”

The New York State School Boards Association consists of 683 member districts and 4,846 individual members. It advocates on issues related to public school boards such as labor issues and tax issues.

Magnarelli will receive the award March 1, 2009 at the New York State School Boards Association’s annual State Issues Conference at the Empire State Plaza.