Posted 10/11/11

Press Release from HFM BOCES

The critical connection between education systems and economic prosperity cannot be overstated, according to HFM BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Patrick Michel. A summit exploring that local connection, and creating an action plan toward a collaborative, prosperous future will take place from 6:00 – 9:30 pm on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011 at HFM BOCES Conference Center.

Leaders from the Mohawk Sacandaga School Boards Association, HFM BOCES, Fulton-Montgomery Community College, the Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will convene the three-hour session, designed to emphasize targeted, small group discussions tackling the major challenges and opportunities that face area schools, businesses and municipalities.

“‘Less talk, more action’ is a slogan for the evening. We are not getting together to wring hands and bemoan the circumstances in which we live,” Dr. Michel said. “This is a work session that will focus on doable ideas about consolidation and collaboration.”

The public is encouraged to attend and participate. State and local legislators, business and education leaders, school board members, parents and students are expected to take part in the facilitated discussions about sustainable school-business connections, opportunities for consolidation, and preparing students to succeed in 21st Century college programs and the workforce.

The agenda for the summit divides the evening into three, hour-long sessions, each containing three facilitated workshops on specific topics. Workshops repeat each hour, allowing participants to circulate between sessions and engage in each workshop. While the workshop topics remain the same, the changing faces in each session should develop new lines of discussion and debate, leading to fresh, new ideas, according to Dr. Michel.

The Education and Economic Development Summit is an official meeting of the Mohawk Sacandaga School Boards Association, and the response to an earlier call to action from the group.

In August, the association learned about the new Regional Economic Development Plan for Fulton and Montgomery Counties, and examined life under the recently enacted “tax cap.” That meeting ended with a charge to find solutions – ways for area leaders to work together for the benefit of schools and businesses in the HFM region.

“The association has created a committee framework to implement the action plans that emerge from this summit,” Dr. Michel explained. “We are inviting our elected officials and local leaders to participate, but we urge anyone who is motivated toward a revitalization of this region to take part in the event.”

The summit is open to the public, but pre-registration is encouraged. Anyone wishing to attend should contact HFM BOCES Board of Education Clerk Ms. Christine Eaton at 518-736-4300 for registration information.