Westchester Putnam School Boards Association

“The organization amended their by-laws in fy2024 and made the following significant changes: - for the legal and proper conduct of the business of the membership, a quorum shall be the lesser of 100 members or 25% of the total number of members. - every member may vote by written proxy on any matter properly coming before the membership at a duly convened membership meeting.”

“The association has one class of members. Any public board of education in westchester or putnam county, new york and may become a member of the association at any time by paying the association's scheduled annual dues.”

“Directors are elected at an annual meeting of the association's members.”

“Westchester putnam school board association has its form 990 prepared by an outside accounting firm and has established the following review process to ensure that the information reported is complete and accurate. Once the form 990 has been prepared it is reviewed by the executive director. Following their review, it is provided to the audit committee for review. It is subsequently provided to the full board and then filed with the internal revenue service.”

“The conflict-of-interest policy applies to any director, officer, member of a committee with governing board designated powers, or employee who has a direct or indirect financial interest ("interested person"). Each director, officer, and member of a committee with governing board delegated powers shall annually sign a statement which affirms such person: -has received a copy of the conflicts of interest policy, -has read and understands the policy, - has agreed to comply with the policy, and -understands wpsba is a not-for-profit organization and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities that accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes. Duty to disclose: in connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the directors and members of committees with governing board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement. Determining whether a conflict of interest exists: after disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he/she shall leave the governing board or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists. The minutes of the governing board and all communities with board delegated powers shall contain: a) the names of the persons who disclosed or otherwise were found to have a financial interest in connection with an actual or possible conflict of interest, the nature of the financial interest, any action taken to determine whether a conflict of interest was present, and the governing board's or committee's decision as to whether a conflict of interest in fact exists. B) the names of the persons who were present for discussions and votes relating to the transaction or arrangement, the content of the discussion, including any alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement, and a record of any votes taken in connection with the proceedings.”

“The westchester putnam school boards association (wpsba) executive committee makes a recommendation to the wpsba board based on the cpi, association finances, comparable position salary survey and the results of executive director evaluation. The board of directors' votes are recorded in the minutes of the meeting. A salary letter is issued each year reflecting any compensation or benefit changes. This process was last conducted in fy2024.”

“The association makes its form 990 available for public inspection as required under section 6104 of the internal revenue code. The return is available on guidestar.org and other similar types of websites. The association posts the form 990, as well as its audited financial statements on its own website. In addition, the association's form 990, financial statements, conflict of interest policy, articles of incorporation and by-laws are available upon written request or by calling the organization directly.”

“To provide leadership & support of our member districts through programming, networking, data sharing, facilitating advocacy and keeping our members informed about public education issues. Since its founding in 1962, the westchester putnam school boards association (wpsba) has served school board members by supporting their role as education leaders in their communities and the region. Board of education members are unpaid, elected local officials who oversee and set policy for a public school district's affairs, personnel, finances and properties. Wpsba works to improve the effectiveness of school boards and enhances our school districts by providing members with informative programs on education, public policy and board development as well as training workshops, data resource and advocacy and networking opportunities. To further support boards of education, wpsba offers training, support and networking for district clerks in member districts. The association also serves a key role by collaborating with other local, state and national educational and child-focused organizations. Wpsba is a member-driven 501(c)(3) organization that is financed primarily through school district membership dues. Sixteen school board members serve on the executive board. The immediate past president, two area superintendents of schools, the director of the westchester-east putnam region pta, and the regional director for the new york state school boards association (nyssba) serve as liaisons to the wpsba board. The day-to-day operations are managed by the executive director and the communications and operations manager. All member school boards are invited to appoint a member of their board to serve as a wpsba liaison and/or a legislative advocacy committee representative. School board members may also participate on our standing committees.”

“The association has an audit committee assume that assumes responsibility for the oversight of the audit of its financial statements. The executive board selects the independent accountant at the annual board meeting. This process did not change from the prior year.”