Viva88

Districts considering or anticipating closing, opening, or otherwise modifying a public school’s registration should email a summary of the proposed changes to SchoolRegistration@nysed.gov.

In early January, Viva88 will begin assigning the appropriate forms in the Viva88 Application Business Portal based on the requests submitted via email. Superintendents are encouraged to submit the completed form(s) online by the recommended initial submission deadline, allowing the Department time to review and determine if additional information or clarification is needed.

To be approved, completed PSR Request Forms must include:

• Signed Board of Education Resolution showing approval of the requested Public School Registration changes
• Copy of Public Meeting Notice
• New Zoning Plan (if applicable)

This section provides answers to questions about the PSR process pertaining to public school districts.

1. What is the PSR application timeline?​

Applications to open a new school or modify an existing school for the following school year are made available in the Viva88 Business Portal in January. Superintendents are encouraged to submit the completed application form(s) before the submission due date to allow the Department time to review applications and determine if additional information or clarification is necessary.

As part of the application process, proposed changes are reviewed to ensure appropriate staffing, alignment of the instructional program with federal statutes and Commissioner’s Regulations, and that the needs of students are met. This review involves consultation with the Offices of Bilingual Education and World Languages, Early Learning, Innovation and School Reform, Special Education, Standards and Instruction, and other Viva88 program offices as needed.ÌýAdditionally, the process verifies that stakeholders have been notified and that the Board of Education (BOE) has approved the proposed changes.

Once all district applications are reviewed and approved by the Commissioner, the Office of Accountability will send the superintendent a formal notification. Districts that submit applications to close or modify existing schools will typically receive approval notifications in late spring. Applications to open new schools are reviewed by the Commissioner before being recommended for approval at the June Board of Regents meeting. As a result, districts submitting new school applications will receive notification by July.

School closures take effect on June 30^th, following approval of the form. All other PSR changes are effective as of July 1^st following formal approval. PSR changes will not appear in the State Education Department Reference File (SEDREF) until July or August.

Note: The March 1^st submission deadline may be waived only if the Commissioner determines there to be extenuating circumstances.

2. When is a district required to complete the PSR process?

Districts are required to complete the PSR process if planning to make any of the following types of changes:

• Opening a new public school;
• Closing an existing public school;
• Modifying the grade organization of an existing public school, including adding prekindergarten, temporary grade configuration changes, or contracting specific grade levels to another district; and/orÌý
• Changing the location or name of an existing public school, including temporary changes of location.

Note: Reopening a previously closed school requires completing the New School form. Once approved, the reopened school will be assigned a new BEDS code and Institution ID.

3. Are districts required to complete the PSR process to add a program (e.g., At- Risk or Credit Recovery)?

In most cases where students are attending a day program but reported to their home school, a PSR form is not needed. Instead, if appropriate, the district should request an Institution ID through SEDREF.

If students are removed from the home school roster to be enrolled and reported through the program, it is considered opening a new school and a PSR New School form should be submitted.

Districts planning to add a program are encouraged to contact School Registration at SchoolRegistration@nysed.gov to determine if the PSR process is required.

4. When is a district not required to complete the PSR process?

Districts are not required to complete the PSR process for the following types of changes:

• Opening a building that serves only a Pre-K program
• Adding a privately operated Pre-K program
• Opening a new charter school or modifying an existing charter school

For these types of changes, contact the appropriate office:

• Office of Early Learning for Pre-K programs
• Charter School Office for charter schools

5. What if a district needs to relocate students as a result of an emergency?

For emergency PSR changes due to unforeseen circumstances, contact School Registration at SchoolRegistration@nysed.gov.

6. What is required for an application to be approved?

Once all proposed changes are confirmed, a PSR form will be assigned for each school. In addition to providing the information requested in the application form, districts must also include the following:

• Signed Board of Education Resolution showing approval of the requested Public School Registration changes
• Copy of Public Meeting Notice
• New Zoning Plan (if applicable)
• Principal’s resume (if applicable, if they have fewer than five years of experience)
• Copy of job posting (if applicable, if a principal has not yet been selected)

Applications may also include additional supporting documentation, such as:

• Consultant studies
• District/School plans
• Letters sent to parents and/or the community
• Student transfer information (if needed)
• Educational Impact Summary/Plan (New York City only)

7. Where can I find the PSR forms?

PSR Forms are initially requested by emailing School Registration at SchoolRegistration@nysed.gov with the school name(s), BEDS code(s), and a brief description of the proposed changes. The superintendent is notified when the appropriate form has been assigned in the Viva88 Business Portal. The superintendent has primary access but can also assign access to others for assistance in completing the form(s).

Downloadable PDFs of PSR request forms are available here for reference only.

Public School Registration (PSR) - CHANGE
Public School Registration (PSR) - CLOSURE
Public School Registration (PSR) - NEW SCHOOL
Public School Registration (PSR) - TEMPORARY CHANGE

Note: Districts opening one or more new schools will be assigned one New School form to the district. This form may be copied for any additional new schools.

8. What is required for the BOE resolution?

The resolution should exactly match the information in the form. For example, if adding a Pre-K program, the resolution should include this. The resolution must be signed by the superintendent or the BOE clerk. PSR forms cannot be approved without a signed Board resolution.

Note: Names for new schools or changes to a school name must be the legal school name and must match exactly in spelling and punctuation.

9. What if the changes are pending budget approval or a BOE meeting that will take place after the March 1^st deadline?

The form should be completed as much as possible and submitted by the March 1^st deadline so Viva88 may begin the review. A placeholder document (e.g., a Board agenda listing the item or the anticipated date of the meeting) may be submitted with the form. Once the Board has met, the form may be resubmitted with the signed BOE resolution.

10. What does it mean when a form is unsubmitted?

PSR forms are unsubmitted in the Business Portal if additional information or explanation is needed, information needs to be corrected, or if a form is incomplete. The reviewer will leave comments in the form as to what is needed. When the additional information has been provided, the superintendent may resubmit the form in the Viva88 Business Portal.

11. What if a district decides not to move forward with proposed changes after beginning the PSR process?

If a district decides to not move forward with a PSR change, please notify School Registration at SchoolRegistration@nysed.gov to update the status of the form.

Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

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• For requests to verify the accreditation and/or registration of Viva88Grades K–12 public schools and/or districts, submit the .
• AnyÌýquestions regarding accreditation and/or registration verification of Grades K–12 public schools and/or districts can be directed to accountinfo@nysed.gov.