NSBA’s Council of School Attorneys (COSA) presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Jay Worona on Friday at its School Law Seminar in San Diego. A 25-year member of COSA, Worona is the deputy executive director and general counsel for the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA).

A former COSA chair, Worona has participated in COSA programming for decades. He’s been the dynamic moderator of key sessions taking on weighty issues and challenging scenarios. He was an active member of the COSA board before serving as chair in 2007. He has presented on COSA webinars, paid tributes to colleagues at COSA events, and remained available for consult and wisdom. His contributions to COSA are legendary.

“I am truly humbled and honored to receive COSA’s lifetime achievement award,” said Worona. “COSA is an organization that has truly enabled me to fulfill every career expectation that I had for myself. Throughout my time as a COSA member and as chair, I have developed lifelong professional and personal relationships that have truly benefited every aspect of my life.” In his role with NYSSBA, Worona represents the organization and its membership of approximately 750 school districts in direct and amicus curiae litigation on a variety of legal topics, including tenure and seniority rights of school employees, special education, the constitutional separation of church and state as it applies to the operation of public schools, and the legal authority of school boards. 

In 1994, he successfully argued and won a case before the United States Supreme Court involving the separation of church and state entitled Board of Education of Kiryas Joel Village School District v. Grumet. He is also a frequent and popular speaker on a wide range of topics affecting the operation of public education in state and national forums, including COSA and NSBA programs. He also has appeared regularly in the national media, including FOX News, CNN, NPR, and PBS.

NSBA Chief Legal Officer Francisco Negrón said, “Jay Worona is an example of all that is right in the profession of law, and especially in the practice of school law. The National School Boards Association is indebted to Jay for his countless hours of dedication to school boards, state associations, and his fellow school lawyers. From his service on the NSBA Board of Directors to his work at NYSSBA, Jay’s passion for public schools and for school board leadership continues to set the bar for us all.”