Central New York School for the Deaf Board of Trustees' Meeting Minutes and Reports

Chronological by year and therein by date of meeting.

The series consists of manuscript and typescript minutes of the regular, quarterly, annual, and special meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Central New York Institution for Deaf Mutes, which was renamed the central New York School for the Deaf in 1936. Included with the minutes are reports of the executive committee of the board as well as other board-appointed committees, which were typically assigned to study building acquisition or construction activities, to raise funds or subscriptions, to investigate complaints, or to conduct hiring searches.

Prior to becoming the state owned and operated New York State School for the Deaf in 1963, the school functioned as a private corporation managed by a board of trustees that appointed the principal and other school officials. The school was founded in 1875 by private subscription; many of the businessmen involved in its creation served as the first members of the board. The minutes date from February 6, 1875.

Volume 1 of the series includes manuscript copies of the school's certificate of incorporation and by-laws, along with a list of original subscribers (with additional sporadic listings to 1889) and the amount of their donation.

The minutes typically include: a list of those present at the meeting; a statement of business (often regarding membership, pending legislation, etc.); reports from the general manager or principal (on academic progress and condition of the facility), the treasurer (with abstracts of accounts), and/or the attending physician (in compliance with public health laws on quarantining new arrivals and examining students and living conditions); committee reports on projects or assignments; actions on motions and resolutions; and adjournment statement.

Minutes in the first volume are written and signed by the board secretary. Beginning in 1906 (volume 2) material is in typescript, with corrections marked in ink. Examples of related material included with the minutes are: copies of legislation regarding the care and education of the deaf; estimates on construction or repair costs; and correspondence relating to visits to the school and personnel or other administrative matters.

Microfilm is available for use at the New York State Archives or through interlibrary loan.

Microfilm: 3 reels; 35 mm.

Volume and microfilm roll lists are available at the repository.

This material was microfilmed by State Archives staff in 1993 as part of a grant funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Originals were returned to the School for the Deaf after filming.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.