2009 School Facility Managers' Academies a Huge Success

ALBANY, NY (12/28/2009)(readMedia)-- Professional development is crucial to any profession. For the past four years, the School Facilities Management Institute (SFMI) has provided a one-and-a-half-day comprehensive training program in early December the School Facility Managers' Academy (SFMA). Earlier this month aspiring and experienced facilities professionals from across the state traveled to Latham, NY for the 4th annual Academy. This year the Academy launched a new two track program consisting of the Facility Managers' Academy and a new Personnel Management Academy.

This year's Academy reached nearly 30 school facility professionals either new to the job, or looking for timely updates. Leaders from the school facilities profession delivered the very latest information needed to create and maintain high performance learning environments, including facility administration and regulation compliance, building maintenance, technology and systems, budget and finance, health and safety, energy conservation and sustainability and Civil Service Law.

"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.

Similarly, James Bosse, who just completed his first year at the West Islip UFSD, apologized for asking so many question, saying, "But there is just so much great information!"

New 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 their facilities department.

"The information obtained in these 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, Port Jefferson UFSD. "Each year we bring in well-respected and well-informed faculty who not only present the information but engage and learn from participants as well. The presenters are a large part of this program's success."

In 2003, the Board of Directors of the New York State Association for Superintendents of School Buildings and Grounds, Inc. (SBGA) established the School Facilities Management Institute, Inc. (SFMI). The institute is a non-profit organization created for the purpose of providing education and training programs on timely school facilities management issues. SBGA was founded in 1954 and is the only organization in New York State dedicated to serving educational facility managers-professionals responsible for the planning, construction, operation, maintenance and ongoing management of millions of square feet of the state's school facilities.

Posted Monday December 28, 2009 at 08:01 pm by NYS Association for Superintendents of School Buildings & Grounds