Board of Education meeting have been reopened for in-person public attendance. The meetings are held in the Media Center at Amsterdam High School.

The Board of Education has established the following committees:

• Finance/Budget Committee

• Board Policies Committee

• Facilities Committee

• Audit Committee

Each committee can have up to 11 members but cannot exceed that number. Several Board of Education members serve on each committee.

Residents interested in serving on a committee should contact Superintendent of Schools Richard Ruberti’s office at 518-843-3180 x 7801.

The Board of Education is made up of seven unsalaried citizens elected to serve a three-year term. There is currently one vacancy on the board. The board’s powers and duties are derived from the New York State Constitution, the laws of New York State and the rulings of the New York State Commissioner of Education.

Board meetings are open to the public and are held in the Amsterdam High School Media Center at 6 p.m. Special meetings are called when necessary. 

The Board of Education’s main areas of responsibility are:

• Establish district policies: View those policies here.

• Develop an annual budget for public approval

• Vote on the Superintendent’s recommendations on personnel matters and contracts

• Review courses of study and textbooks

• Act as a communication link between residents and the Superintendent

• No person or group of persons acts in the name of the board. All motions require a majority vote before the Board can act. A board member is in an official capacity only during an official Board meeting. The Board employs a Superintendent who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the district and administration of Board policies. The Superintendent develops policies, programs and plans for Board action.

In order for a school district to function both efficiently and effectively it must establish a sound set of policies and related regulations to carry out the official policy.

Policy making is the primary function of the Board of Education. A policy is a guide for action. It expresses the intent of the Board concerning the operation of the School District and what it expects of those to whom it gives authority. Policy statements are developed as a guide for the Board to make decisions and are intended to serve as an outline for the administration to use in the development of administrative regulations for the implementation of the policy.

Read the board’s policies here.

The Board of Education recognizes its responsibility to hear public comment, and therefore encourages the public to attend board meetings. Visitors have the opportunity to address the Board of Education during the “public comment” portion of each meeting.

The public comment portion of Board of Education meetings are held in the High School Library Media Center unless otherwise noted in the meeting’s agenda.

Individuals wishing to address the board may:

• Sign in prior to the start of the meeting at 6 p.m. to request the floor; or

• Step forward when the board president asks if anyone is interested in speaking before the board; or

• If you know well in advance that you would like to address the board, you may contact the district clerk at 843-3180 x 7801 to be included on the agenda.
  Please note: Comments should not exceed five minutes and should directly relate to school matters.

Members of the public are also welcome to send questions, comments and concerns to the Greater Amsterdam School District Board of Education and its individual board members at:

Greater Amsterdam School District
Board of Education
District Office
P.O. Box 309
Amsterdam, NY 12010
(518) 843-3180

If you are unable to access any of the documents shared on this page, please contact Kristi McGaffin in the superintendent’s office to receive the information in an alternate format.

If you are looking for a copy of older board minutes or agendas, please contact board clerk Kristi McGaffin at kmcgaffin@gasd.org

• Please view our GASD Google calendar for the latest board meeting dates

View BoardDocs to view both the agenda and the most recent meeting minutes. 

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