Virginia School Plant Managers Association and Conference

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 136

May 30, 2008

INFORMATIONAL

TO:

Division Superintendents

FROM:

Billy K. Cannaday, Jr.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT:

Virginia School Plant Managers Association and Conference

During this past school year, a new organization for school maintenance professionals was formed in Virginia. With help from the National School Plant Management Association and the Southeastern Association of School Business Officials, the Virginia School Plant Managers Association (VSPMA) was established in November 2007. Officers and board members were elected and a set of By-Laws was adopted. This organization brought together four regional groups that had been meeting separately throughout the state to develop the following common goals:

To promote better school plant management and maintenance through continued education of its members.
To provide for the exchange of information to improve school plant management, maintenance, housekeeping, safety, security, energy management, and environmental control.
To develop a working relationship with school administrators, managers, non-instructional and instructional personnel, the General Assembly, and the Department of Education to foster the improvement of educational programs through exemplary school facilities and environment.
To promote the professional advancement of school plant management, maintenance, housekeeping, safety security, energy management, and environmental control.

The officers and board members decided that not only would they create an organization, but also hold a statewide conference during its first year of existence. The conference will be held in Richmond at the Richmond Marriott on October 19-21, 2008. As a result of support throughout the Commonwealth, this conference promises to be an outstanding professional development activity and networking opportunity for school facility managers. Breakout sessions will include topics dealing with energy, environmental safety, maintenance best practices, and personnel. Three individuals, including myself, have already accepted invitations to speak at the general sessions.

I encourage you to support this new organization and the professionals that will comprise the membership. These dedicated employees are the behind-the-scenes individuals who are responsible for ensuring that the physical environment is conducive to learning in our schools. By participating in the association, conference, and regional meetings, they will improve their professional knowledge and skills.

Online registration and downloadable registration forms will be available after June 2 at the conference website, www.k12masters.com/vspma. If you have any questions concerning the association or conference, you may contact Fran Foster, VSPMA President, in Virginia Beach at (757) 263-2506 or Fran.Foster@vbschools.com, Wayne Kitchen, VSPMA Vice President, in Chesterfield County at (804) 748-1330 or Wayne_Kitchen@ccpsnet.net, or Cheryl Moss, Secretary/Treasurer, in Chesterfield County at (804) 748-1330 or Cheryl_Moss@ccpsnet.net.

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