Latest News
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January 2012
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June 2011
As the 2010 – 2011 school year closes, I would like to express my appreciation and commend our members for their professionalism, expertise and hard work in the face of...
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April 2011
As we approach the end of this school year, it is clear to all public school educators that this has been one of the most difficult years in recent history...
Region 1
Welcome from Region 1
Council of Administrators and Supervisors (CAS).
News Alert!
CAS Delegate Assembly Award Winners 2/12
News Alert!
CAS has appointed Progressive Marketing Group, Inc. (PMG) (Melville, LI)
to handle public relations four our group.
CAS hires PR Firm PMG
Who We Are:
The Council of Administrators and Supervisors (CAS)
490 Wheeler Road, Suite 280
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Phone: 631-761-5451 Fax: 631-761-5454
The Council of Administrators and Supervisors (CAS) is the largest professional organization of school administrators and supervisors on Long Island. For over a quarter of a century, CAS has vigorously protected the legal rights and served the professional interests of school leaders on Long Island.
As a member of CAS, you are automatically granted membership in the Empire State Supervisors and Administrators Association (ESSAA), the fastest-growing administrative and supervisory organization in New York State. ESSAA has more than 3,500 members, has direct access to the Commissioner of Education, the Regents, and the Legislature.
An affiliation of independent and self-governing local school district units, CAS is governed by an elected executive board, which meets monthly. Two delegate assembly meetings are held each year. The budget is proposed and voted on at the second delegate meeting. These meetings are open to all members.
To provide first-class legal services and to help units negotiate fair and equitable contracts, we maintain a legal office in Hauppauge. Two experienced full-time attorneys and an office manager provide timely and convenient service.
All members of CAS are entitled to the following legal services:
General:
- Timely access to lawyers with extensive experience in New York State Education Law who have been involved in resolving numerous employment related problems
- Vigorous legal protections against illegal employment actions by your Superintendent or Board of Education
- Unlimited consultations and legal advice on all matters dealing with professional relationships and actions
- Expeditious processing of grievances and formal representation at arbitration hearings
- Legal representation in matters that come before the Commissioner of Education
- Preparation and prosecution of PERB improper practices charges
- Full payment of all court costs and arbitration fees necessary to protect your rights
Negotiations Support:
- Comprehensive review and analysis of your current collective bargaining agreement
- A library of existing agreements available for your reference and use
- Assistance preparing your negotiating package
- At-the-table representation (at your unit’s option), by the two most experienced negotiators of administrative and supervisory contracts on Long Island
- An extensive database containing comparative salary and benefit information by district, region, and state
- Preparation and filing of formal legal impasse declarations
- Any and all other legal services necessary to arrive at a satisfactory final agreement
Personal Legal Services:
CAS members may receive legal assistance on non-job-related matters, including but not limited to the following:
- Free first consultation
- Free document explanation and review
- Reduced rate on all legal services
- Free Personal Injury Consultation
- Free Simple Will
Pre-Retirement Consultation Services:
For those members who are considering retirement, CAS offers the opportunity to meet with representatives who will explain various retirement options, and provide individualized counseling. Individual counsel is available on such topics as life insurance, health insurance, and long-term health care.
Member Benefits:
Aside from our extensive legal services, CAS offers members numerous other benefits including insurance, travel assistance and insurance, and several discount programs. Please find below a summary of benefits offered to CAS members.
Insurance Benefits:
- $25,000 accidental death and dismemberment insurance for members
- Travel Assistance Insurance - medical help for travel emergencies
- Optional group term life, accidental death, long-term care, and disability insurance
Pre-Retirement Services:
For those members who are considering retirement, CAS offers the opportunity to meet with representatives who will explain various retirement options, and provide individualized counseling. Individual counsel is available on such topics as life insurance, health insurance, and long-term health care.
Other Benefits:
- Membership (at no additional cost) in the Empire State Supervisors and Administrators Association (ESSAA), the fast-growing administrative and supervisory organization in New York State. ESSAA has more than 3,500 members, has direct access to the Commissioner of Education, the Regents, and the Legislature
- Newsletters, which analyze and explain current and interesting trends and topics in education as well as the significance of recent court decisions that may affect you
- Discount programs, including The Motor Vehicle Certification Program (MVCP), Buyer' s Edge, 1-800-Flowers, and Davis Optical
- A voice in Albany to which the legislature and State Education Department listen
- Annual scholarship program - CAS accepts applications for three annual CAS Scholarships for children and stepchildren of current CAS members who will be graduating from high school
- Representation in the Long Island Association and local groups dedicated to improving education and opportunities in education
Scholarships:
Each May CAS awards three scholarships to children and stepchildren of a CAS member. The scholarships are based on scholastic achievement, school and community involvement. CAS members whose children or stepchildren will graduate at the end of this school year (June, 2012) and plan to attend college or university may apply after January 10, 2012 to:
Anthony C. Laurino, President CAS
Email: JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING
Phone: 631-761-5451
Lawyer Bios:
As a labor attorney with the Federal Labor Relations Authority, Atlanta Region, Brad A. Stuhler, Esq. oversaw the resolution of labor disputes, representing the Office of the General Counsel in the prosecution of Unfair Labor Practices.
During his time with the federal government Brad negotiated several labor agreements and received a Certification in Mediation from the Justice Center of Atlanta. Brad holds a B.A. degree in Communications from Villanova University and a J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law.
Brad is a member of the NY state bar and the American Bar Association.
Michael Starvaggi is a Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Fordham University, and holds his Juris Doctor degree from Fordham Law School. He is counsel to over five hundred public school administrators affiliated with the Empire State Supervisors and Administrators Association [ESSAA]. In that capacity, he has handled collective bargaining negotiations, Article 78 proceedings, trial court litigation, impact bargaining, contract grievances, arbitration and PERB claims. He has been successful in settling favorable contract terms in difficult negotiating environments and obtaining winning results for administrators in disputes with their employers.
Prior to becoming counsel to ESSAA, Mr. Starvaggi represented students and parents in a range of matters involving school district liability and student discipline matters. His career has also included transactional and litigation work at large and small New York City based firms, as well as acting as legal editor to some of the nation’s leading treatises on commercial law.
Mr. Starvaggi is admitted to the practice of law in New York and New Jersey. He also teaches Education Law at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY.
Executive Board:
Anthony C. Laurino
President
Albert (Skip) Voorneveld
Executive Vice President
John Nocero
Vice President
Terry Nigrelli
Vice President
Vincent Vizzo
Vice President
Carol Bertolotti
Treasurer
Janet Weisel
Secretary
Frank Naccarato
Suffolk Director
Lillian Watson
Nassau Director
Mary Cavanaugh
Committee Chair
Frank Creter
Committee Chair
James Kassenbaum
Committee Chair

