N.Y. Educ. Law § 3028
Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of any general, special or local law, or the limitations contained in the provisions of any city charter, each board of education, trustee or trustees in the state shall provide an attorney or attorneys for, and pay such attorney's fees and expenses necessarily incurred in the defense of a teacher, member of a supervisory or administrative staff or employee, or authorized participant in a school volunteer program in any civil or ciminal action or proceeding arising out of disciplinary action taken against any pupil of the district while in the discharge of his duties within the scope of his employment or authorized volunteer duties. For such purposes the board of education, trustee or trustees may arrange for and maintain appropriate insurance with any insurance company created by or under the laws of this state, or in any insurance company authorized by law to transact business in this state, or such board, trustee or trustees may elect to act as self-insurers to maintain the aforesaid protection. A board of education, trustee or board of trustees, however, shall not be subject to the duty imposed by this section, unless such teacher, or member of the supervisory and administrative staff or employee or authorized participant in a school volunteer program shall, within ten days of the time he is served with any summons, complaint, process, notice, demand or pleading, deliver the original or a copy of the same to such board of education, trustee or board of trustees.
N.Y. Educ. Law § 3028