Pressing Issues in K-12 Education in New York

The "Pressing Issues in K-12 Education in New York" event is a panel discussion organized by the Government Law Center at Albany Law School. This session is part of the 2026 Warren M. Anderson Legislative Series and is scheduled for February 27, 2026, from 10:15 AM to 11:30 AM. The event will take place both in person at Albany Law School and virtually via Zoom, offering accessibility to a broader audience.

The panel will examine the landscape of K-12 education law and policy at both federal and state levels, with a particular focus on debates occurring in the new legislative session in New York. Key topics include state budget considerations, legislative proposals affecting education, and strategies to support students with disabilities and promote equity in K-12 education.

The discussion will be moderated by Kyle Belokopitsky, Esq. ’05, Executive Director of the New York State Congress of Parents and Teachers. Panelists include Hon. Shelley B. Mayer, New York State Senator for the 37th Senate District; Dr. Jeffrey Matteson, Senior Deputy Commissioner for Education Policy at the New York State Education Department; Robert Reilly, Esq. ’90, General Counsel for NYSUT; Brian Cechnicki, Executive Director of the Association of School Business Officials of New York; and Shanell C. Brown, M.Ed., President of Black and Brown Educators of the Capital District and Assistant Principal at the City School District of Albany.

This free event is open to the public and offers 1.0 Professional Practice Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit for attorneys. The session is part of the Government Law Review Symposium on K-12 Education Law, "Transforming Futures: Education, Law, and Youth Wellbeing," and will be followed by a lunch keynote presented by Ann Marie Sullivan, MD, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health.