2010 School Facilities Management Conference & Expo
SFMI & SBGA proudly presents its annual Professional Development Conference & Expo - set for October 3-6, 2010 at the Saratoga Hilton & Saratoga Springs City Center, Saratoga Springs, NY
School Facilities Management Institute
Education and training opportunities for facility directors:
Energy 101: Tools, Tips & Tricks
Tool, tips and tricks to help your district save money on energy costs.
Information provided by the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA), the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA).
School Jobs
Looking for a job working in the facility department of a school? Visit our job board today!
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."
Earlier this month SBGA completed another successful Advocacy Day! We had nearly 60 members travel to Albany for this event and truly appreciate everyone's participation, which allowed us to present one unified voice to the New York State Legislature. Thank you to Jim Carr, Heather Evans and Sara Van Son of Hinamn Straub for setting up over 100 appointments and drop offs as well as preparing all of the legislative packets.
Click here to view SBGA's 2010 Legislative Priorities.
In recognition of New York State Education Department Commissioner Richard P. Mills' dedication and leadership in the education profession, SBGA and SFMI created the annual School Facilities Professional Development Scholarship. Starting this year, SBGA and SFMI will award one deserving Active or Affiliate member in good standing attendance at our annual School Facilities Professional Development Program and School Facilities Managers' Academy.
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
"I've been in the business for 23 years and by far this was one of the best seminars I've attended," stated James Lehan, Head Custodian for Katonah-Lewisboro UFSD.
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!
During the 2009 School Facilities Management Professional Development Conference in Saratoga Springs, SBGA membership welcomed new leadership for the 2009-10 year. Congratulations to Chris Ouderkirk, CDF, Sandy Creek CSD as he assumes the role of President. Joining him on the executive committee are:
* Bill Blosser, CDF, 1st Vice President, Monroe-Woodbury CSD * Brian Bentley, CDF, 2nd Vice President, GST BOCES * Claude Wright, 3rd Vice President, Hadley-Luzerne CSD * Peter Riggi, CDF, Treasurer, Schuylerville CSD * Joe Hammond, CDF, Immediate Past President, Liverpool CSD * Keith Langlotz, At-Large Officer, Sweet Home CSD * John Marek, At-Large Officer, Hauppauge UFSD * Stan Polmateer, SFMI Co-Chair, Rush-Henrietta CSD * Fred Koelbel, SFMI Co-Chair, Port Jefferson UFSD
Congratulations on a tremendously successful 2009 Professional Development Conference and Exhibit Show! I am truly honored to begin my term as your president following such an outstanding event where so many of us were able to gather together, share ideas and best practices and celebrate our profession. Thank you for your confidence, and I look forward to working with all of you in strengthening our Association and its programs.
Communicating the Profession, Celebrating our Members Throughout this year's conference we discussed the importance of communication, both written and verbal. Communication is key to our success, both as school facility professionals and leaders within our organization. As individuals we are responsible for maintaining clean, safe, healthy, energy efficient learning environments for our local school children and communities. Collectively, we help ensure New York State remains a leader in k-12 education in the United States. We have much to celebrate and communicate.
One of my goals this year is to help you all tell your story, both on a local and state level. Throughout the year we will provide various press release templates highlighting education and training events, legislative success and most importantly, member accomplishments. I encourage you all to personalize these releases, for yourself as well as your Chapter, and distribute them to local media. These templates will go out to Association and Chapter leaders, be included in our monthly e-newsletters and be posted to our website. Please take advantage of them. We've just completed one of the most successful conferences and exhibit shows in our Association's history, thanks to all of our leaders and the very strong education and training program that was offered. This achievement simply epitomizes the substance of what we bring to the table; let's be sure to share this news with our communities!
Promoting Professional Development Six years ago the SBGA Board of Directors took an historic step in our Association's history by establishing the School Facilities Management Institute, Inc. (SFMI). The institute was created for the purpose of providing our members education and training programs on timely school facilities management issues.
Today we continue to emphasize professional development and the important role we play in providing a safe and healthy learning environment for the school districts we serve. This year we will continue to enhance our regional training programs; revitalize the Certified Director of Facilities (CDF) program; grow the Affiliate Development Program (ADP); expand upon the Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) degree and certificate programs; and new this year, develop and promote the bachelor degree program with Empire State College.
Few things inspire confidence like a solid education and credentials. Congratulations to those of you who have taken advantage of the professional development opportunities SBGA and SFMI strive to provide; I encourage you all to consider taking your profession to the next level.
Providing a Network In closing, I must echo my predecessor's words. A year ago my good friend Joe Hammond, CDF acknowledged the challenges we all face on a daily basis. These same obstacles are still in front of us today. To continue to thrive, we must engage one another; learn from each other; support each other. It is imperative that our members continue to pursue quality networking opportunities between local school districts; between neighboring chapters; and between every region of this state. We continue to be our greatest resource.
Again, thank you all for your confidence and support. I look forward to working with you in strengthening this outstanding organization.
In partnership, Chris Ouderkirk, CDF SBGA President Sandy Creek CSD
Nearly 300 Superintendents of School Buildings and Grounds (SBGA) from across the state gathered in Saratoga Springs from October 4-7 for a school facilities management professional development conference.
"With the current economy, and the challenges school districts are facing, it's more important than ever that the state's school facilities managers gather and share information about our profession," said SBGA President, Chris Ouderkirk, CDF, Superintendent of Buildings & Grounds, Sandy Creek CSD.
In recent years, several studies have been published regarding the school facilities profession, including the affect a school's facility has on students' learning. Be sure to visit our Resources section and browse through these articles. This list is growing, so check back frequently, and please share any studies or articles you come across. Email us at sfmi@sbga.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , we'd love to hear from you!
The New York State Association for Superintendents of School Buildings and Grounds, Inc. (SBGA) serves as a voice for more than 600 Directors of School Facilities, Facilities Managers, Head Custodians, Health and Safety Coordinators, and other key school facilities personnel.
