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'Moving Ahead Together'
Shared challenges lie ahead for staff, administrators and
members of the HFM BOCES Board of Education
 Our
mission is not complete, said Board President Robert Townsend,
even though the new HFM BOCES campus is nearly finished.
"As we look ahead to the future, we see three main themes
driving our goals," he told the 340 HFM BOCES staff members who
joined together for the Opening Day on Sept. 5.
These
three goals include growth, fiscal responsibility, and the
emerging identity of HFM BOCES itself, Mr. Townsend said.
"We
need to re-evaluate our growth potential," he added, including
enrollment, programs, and services to component school
districts. That growth is essential for remaining fiscally
sound.
 As
a public institution funded through taxpayers' dollars, HFM
BOCES is "accountable to the public for how we use their money."
he said. While the Board of Education will continue to review
existing policies and adopt new ones as needed, he reminded
staff and board members that they are obligated to follow the
procedures established by the HFM BOCES business office and the
guidelines established by the New York State Comptroller's
Office.
The
identity of HFM BOCES will be shaped in large part by the people
who work here. "Your attitude and professional manner, the way
you do your job every day, is what determines how we are seen in
the community," Mr. Townsend said.
A warm reception
 As
employees entered the new HFM BOCES lobby for Opening Day, they
were greeted by a colorful display of fresh fruits, a fountain
spray of orange juice, muffins and coffee -- all prepared by
HFM's culinary instructors Cindy Fratianni and Cubby Faville,
cook manager Brenda Allen, and their staff.
Mr.
Townsend acknowledged their hard work and dedication in getting
the food service areas of the building ready to serve students
and staff once school opened. He also thanked the custodial
staff and information technology staff, who also worked many
long and hard hours over the summer, seeing to hundreds and
hundreds of details that will ensure the smooth operation of the
new campus.
"The past few weeks, as you would expect, were very
challenging," Mr. Townsend said.
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