NYS Association for Superintendents of School Buildings and Grounds

2010 School Facilities Critical Issues One-Day Training Summit

Thursday, March 25, 2010
9:30 am - 4 pm
Chancellor's Hall, NYS Education Building
Albany, NY

Join SFMI, NYSED, NYSERDA and more at the 2010 School Facilities Critical Issues One-Day Training Summit. Don't miss this unique opportunity...click here for the registration brochure.

Each and every day educational professionals strive to provide New York State's school children a strong education. School facilities professionals work to sustain these campuses, ensuring safe, clean, healthy learning environments for students and communities.

With today's rocky economic climate, we must look to additional resources to continue providing safe, clean, healthy learning environments for our students. Join SFMI, SED and NYSERDA as we examine best practices; explore new funding opportunities and walk away with practical techniques for sustaining excellent learning environments for school districts around the state.

Preparing the Future...One Scholarship at a Time

Mike Sheehan, CDF (Baldwin UFSD) Wins Prestigious EPA Award

Michael Sheehan, CDF, Director of Facilities and Operations for Baldwin School District, and a long time SBGA member and Past President, has won the Environmental Protection Agency Indoor Air Quality National Connector Award. This award recognizes outstanding individuals who promote healthy indoor air quality in schools.

The award distinguishes Sheehan for his significant contribution to student and staff health and wellness and the many positive steps he initiated that will have a lasting impact on school buildings, staff and students and the entire community. This year, Sheehan is the only person in the country to receive the EPA IAQ National Connector Award. He will receive this award at the EPA IAQ Conference in Washington D.C. January 14-16, where he is also invited to present an intensive training seminar on IAQ procedures for school districts from across the country.

"This is a great accomplishment and gives great credit for Mike's service to the Baldwin schools and community," commented Carl Thurnau, PE, Director of Facilities, Office of Facilities Planning, New York State Education Department.

"On behalf of all the entire association, we thank and congratulate Mike for all the hard work in reaching this achievement," stated Chris Ouderkirk, CDF, SBGA President (Sandy Creek CSD). "As school Facilities Directors, each day we strive to ensure clean, safe and healthy learning environments for our districts' children. Mike's tremendous efforts and hard work are very deserving of this prestigious award."

Support your school facilities! The New York State Legislature needs to hear a unified message from our Directors of School Facilities. Join us for SBGA's 2010 Advocacy Day - Wednesday, March 3 in the Well, NYS Legislative Office Building (LOB) - Albany, NY. Click here for the Registration Brochure.

Registration includes the legislative briefing, lunch and all legislative materials. Please register for Advocacy Day by contacting your Chapter President. Click here for a list of Chapter leaders.

Registration forms must be received from each Chapter President by no later than February 12.

Program Schedule

Tuesday, March 2, 2010
7pm - Executive Committee Meeting

Wednesday, March 3, 2010
9:30am - Advocacy Day Check-in (The Well, Concourse Level, LOB)
10:30am - SBGA Update (The Well, Concourse Level, LOB)
11am - Advocacy Day Legislative Briefing (The Well, Concourse Level, LOB)
12-4pm - Legislative Meetings (LOB)
4:30pm - Legislative Debriefing (The Well, Concourse Level, LOB)

Accomodations

A block of rooms has been reserved for Tuesday evening, March 2 at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Albany, NY. Space is limited. If you need a hotel room Tuesday evening, please coordinate with your Chapter President or make your hotel accommodations by calling the Crowne Plaza directly at 518-462-6611 no later than 3pm, February 7, 2010. Let them know you are with the NYS Association for Superintendents of School Buildings and Grounds in order to receive the $129 rate (single/double occupancy). Check-in time is 3pm, and check-out time is 12pm.

Questions?

Any questions regarding Advocacy Day should be directed to your Chapter President or State Director. Also, feel free to call Meg in Association headquarters at 800-359-SBGA (7242) or Jim Carr at Hinman Straub Advisors LLC at 518-436-0751.

This year's recipient is David Hess (Cleveland Hill UFSD, Niagara Frontier Chapter). Dave has been an active member of the Niagara Frontier Chapter for nearly three years, and serves as Chapter Secretary where he has increased member communications. Additionally, Dave has applied his former profession as a health care facility director to increase awareness of cross-contamination and green practices at not only his district, but Chapter wide. He has helped other districts initiate more efficient and effective cleaning practices in the methodology of "Cleaning for Health."

Congratulations Dave and thank you for your dedication and leadership!

At SFMI's Critical Issues One-Day Training Summit last March, we presented former Commissioner Mills with a plaque and sentiments shared by all in attendance, thanking him for his steadfast support of the school facilities profession and recognition of his dedication and leadership in the education of the children of our State and his support of the school facilities where they learn. Click the video below to hear the Commissioner's remarks.

The School Facilities Management Institute (SFMI) completed its 4th Annual School Facility Managers' Academy December 1-2 in Latham, NY. And new this year offered a two track program: the Academy designed for those new to the profession or looking for a refresher course, and for the first time, an advanced Personnel Management Academy designed for those looking to take their leadership skills to the next level.

Track One: Managers' Academy
The 4th Annual School Facility Managers' Academy is a seminar designed for those new to the field or looking for a refresher course. Topics addressed the very latest information needed to create and maintain high performance learning environments, including:

• Facility Administration & Regulation Compliance
• Building Maintenance, Technology & Systems
• Budget & Finance
• Health & Safety
• Energy Conservation & Sustainability

Track Two: School Facility Managers' Personnel Management Academy
This year SFMI created an advanced Personnel Academy designed to help facilities directors manage and motivate employees, communicate with district stakeholders of all levels, and navigate Civil Service and legal issues. This track provided participants with the tools necessary for getting the most out of your facilities department.

"The information obtained in this sessions was critical to the proper performance of my position," commented Joseph Hendrickson, Jr., Director of Facilities and Operations & Transportation for Bellmore UFSD.

Expert Faculty
Faculty for both Academies included staff from the New York State Education Department Office of Facilities Planning, sage SBGA members and other experts in the fields of legal and Civil Services issues, communications and employee management and motivation.

"We strive to provide our members and the entire school facility management profession with the very best education, training and resources available," remarked Fred Koelbel, SFMI Co-Chair. "Each year we bring in well-respected and well-informed presenters who not only present the information but engage and learn from participants as well. Our presenters are a large part of this program's success."

Congratulations to all Academy and Personnel Management Academy participants!