Delegates Elect McKay at Annual Delegates Meeting

NYSTRS welcomed more than 400 delegates from across the state to its Annual Delegates Meeting, held Nov. 2 and 3 at the Saratoga Springs City Center. Attending delegates unanimously elected Natalie McKay, a teacher in the Schoharie Central School District, to a three-year term on the Board. 

McKay had been appointed to the Board earlier this year by New York State Commissioner of Education Dr. Betty A. Rosa and was unopposed. 

“As an educator, I know the dedication and the hard work that we put into our craft,” McKay said in her acceptance remarks following the election. "And I can promise you with confidence that I'm going to carry that through, working with NYSTRS, continuing to make sure that we all have a safe and secure pension."

McKay is one of three active teacher members on the 10-member Retirement Board. The other active teacher Board members are Eric J. Iberger from the Bayport-Blue Point Union Free School District and Donald A. Little III from the Syracuse City School District. Board President David P. Keefe of Hempstead is the retired teacher representative. 

NYSTRS Board members serve without compensation and represent various constituents, including teachers, school administrators and school boards. They act as fiduciaries who protect the long-term value of NYSTRS’ investment portfolio for nearly 460,000 active and retired members and beneficiaries. 

Along with the election of a teacher Board member, this year’s meeting featured a Delegate-Board/Staff Discussion and a full slate of educational seminars. Materials from the educational sessions can be found on our Delegates/Annual Delegates Meeting page. Videos will be available by mid-November, so be sure to check back then. 

Elected by their peers, delegates serve as liaisons between NYSTRS and teachers in their district. They are also responsible for electing an active teacher member to the Retirement Board.