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Letter outlines progress from E+E Summit
results
Mohawk Sacandaga School Boards Association mobilizing to
implement ideas resulting from education and economic
development summit
 Dec.
2, 2011 - A few weeks ago, the Mohawk Sacandaga School Boards
Association held its first Education and Economic Development
Summit at HFM BOCES. We were very pleased that more than 230
people took time out of their busy schedules to spend four hours
discussing the future of education and our economic prosperity
in Fulton, Hamilton and Montgomery Counties. We are building a
coalition of concerned people to create a more prosperous future
for our children and our communities.
The Summit was an outgrowth of the Fulton Montgomery Economic
Development Plan. Participants represented the Chambers of
Commerce, Mohawk Sacandaga School Boards Association,
Fulton-Montgomery Community College, component school districts,
teachers, parents and students. The initial feedback we received
was very positive and people shared some great ideas.
Leadership from all of the sponsoring entities received the
feedback from our workshops and have taken time to digest the
results. A commitment was made that this Summit would be more
than just words, but the start of a change process that will
benefit us all. Over the last two weeks, we have looked
carefully at the shared comments and ideas and are in the
process of creating short-term and long-term plans.
The real work starts in January 2012.
The Mohawk Sacandaga School Boards Association will host a
meeting of business leaders, political leaders, school board
presidents and superintendents to review the information and
solidify the plans.
We have made headway in several areas. Our business community
and school superintendents are already at work on an
Apprenticeship Program. The Transportation Pilot Report will be
presented to school districts in January. The Summit ignited an
outstanding discussion concerning regional art, music and sports
programming.
It is critical for the discussions to continue, and for the
effort to be as transparent as possible. It is equally important
for our communities to be able to follow along and participate
in the conversation. We are planning to launch a public
information campaign – including an online blog – that will
involve everyone in the process of revitalizing Hamilton, Fulton
and Montgomery counties.
- Dr. Patrick Michel,
District Superintendent, HFM BOCES
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