Policy Board

About Our Policy Board

The Greater Capital Region Teacher Center Policy Board is responsible for establishing the mission, goals, and strategic plan for our organization. They are also responsible for recruiting and employing personnel to carry out these missions, goals, and plans. Working in partnership with the center's LEA, South Colonie CSD, and within its own bylaws, the Policy Board provides direction for the Center's professional learning programs and fiscal oversight to the Center's funds and expenditures, while ensuring that all state and local reporting requirements are fulfilled.

Teacher Centers are governed by Policy Boards composed of at least 51% teachers, in order to ensure that teachers have the ability to make decisions about the professional learning opportunities made available to them. (Adapted from NYSUT Fact Sheet 15-18) The Greater Capital Capital Region Teacher Center Policy Board includes a majority of teachers appointed by the collective bargaining agent, as well as at least one representative from the LEA, higher education, local business and industry, and PTA.

KATE GURLEY, GCRTC POLICY BOARD CO-CHAIR,
JESSICA SHORT, GCRTC POLICY BOARD MEMBER,
KRISTINE RASKOPF, GCRTC POLICY BOARD MEMBER,
SHERRY GUICE, GCRTC POLICY BOARD CO-CHAIR

Policy Board Meetings

Greater Capital Region Teacher Center Policy Board meetings are held on the fourth Monday of each month during the school year, from 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted. As an exception, there is no meeting scheduled in December. Policy Board members will meet at the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center office, located within the Shaker Road Elementary School, at 512 Albany Shaker Road, Albany, New York 12211. Policy Board meetings may be held at alternate times or sites, and may occasionally be rescheduled due to inclement weather. In these cases, advance notice will given as soon as is possible. Additionally, Policy Board Chairs may also hold special meetings as needed, in executive session.

The Greater Capital Region Teacher Center Policy Board meeting schedule for the 2023-2024 school year is listed below. Please note, exceptions may be made to avoid conflicts on dates when the district offices at the Center’s LEA, South Colonie CSD, are closed.

Meeting Schedule: 2023-2024 School Year

  • October 23, 2023

  • November 20, 2023

  • January 29, 2024

  • February 26, 2024

  • March 18, 2024

  • April 29, 2024

  • May 20, 2024

GLENN JEFFERS, GCRTC POLICY BOARD MEMBER,
SANDIE CARNER-SHAFRAN, GCRTC POLICY BOARD MEMBER

Open Meetings Law

The Greater Capital Region Teacher Center is proud to be a public body. As such, Policy Board meetings are open to members of the public who reside within any of our member schools. As a matter of practice, the Policy Board does not engage in debate during the public comment period. We welcome comments about specific programs and the efforts of our staff and instructors. However, the discussion of matters relating to specific individuals will be discussed in executive session.

Members of the public who reside within our member schools may also submit written comments of 500 words or fewer per meeting. Written comments should be directed to the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center Executive Director. The Executive Director reserves the right to limit the time of all speakers for the purpose of conducting regular Policy Board business.

KAREN FOX, GCRTC POLICY BOARD MEMBER,
ANTHONY MCCANN, GCRTC POLICY BOARD MEMBER


Policy Board Meeting Agendas/Minutes

The Greater Capital Region Teacher Center Policy Board meeting agendas and minutes are listed below for the 2023-2024 school year, in date order. If you have trouble viewing any of Policy Board meeting agendas and/or minutes, please contact the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center Executive Director.

Meeting Agendas/Minutes/Open Meetings Access: 2023-2024 School Year

JAMES ST.DENIS, GCRTC TEACHER LEADERSHIP COACH FOR SCIENCE,
VALERIE LOVELACE, GCRTC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
ROBERT BANGERT-DROWNS, GCRTC POLICY BOARD MEMBER

How To Serve on the Policy Board

Each June, the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center sends out notifications of impending Policy Board vacancies to all Union Presidents from participating schools in areas where vacancies exist or are anticipated. Union Presidents from areas with Policy Board member vacancies are invited to nominate one teacher from the district in which they serve by the end of the second week of October (exact date subject to change). If more than one candidate is put forth, an election is held in late October or early November.

The service commitment for the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center Policy Board is three years, beginning January 1st and ending December 31st, with staggered terms of service. Policy Board member positions are volunteer in service to the profession, with travel expenses related to participation in meetings reimbursed per local education agency policy. Policy Board members are encouraged to attend all Policy Board meetings, as 11 members are needed for quorum, and at least 6 of those members must be teachers. The Policy Board meets monthly during the school year, with the exception of December. No regular meetings are held over the summer. However, special meetings may be called to interview prospective Center employees as needed. Additionally, a Policy Board meeting and/or training retreat may be held on a non-holiday Friday evening-Saturday afternoon during the school year.

KATHLEEN MAGUIRE, GCRTC POLICY BOARD MEMBER