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E + E =
Prosperity
Mohawk Sacandaga School Boards Association announces summit to find collaborative answers to
challenges facing regional schools and businesses
 SEPTEMBER
26, 2011
- 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, or download the brochure
here. |
