The collective influence of some 5,000 school board members, who constitute half the elected officials in the state, enables NYSSBA to work toward the benefit of the elementary and secondary public school system in New York.

NYSSBA provides advocacy information, leadership development, and custom services to public school boards.

In 1932 this organization merged with the New York State Association of Central Rural School District Boards to form the New York State School Boards Association.

Incorporation took place on December 12, 1935, and the organization's official name became the New York State School Boards Association, Inc.

The expenditure of public funds payable as dues to NYSSBA was given a legal foundation in Education Law by the state legislature in 1945.