MEXICO – A presentation about initial actions in an emergency and a show-record 50 trade-related vendors packing a Mexico gymnasium highlighted the recent 24th annual School Facilities Professional Development Seminar and Trade Show.
More than 200 O&M staff members from districts around the county heard from local school safety and security institution Armoured One about best practices in case of an emergency plus another presentation about the New York State employee’s retirement system.
CiTi Director of Facilities Wayne Wideman — who along with other members in the Oswego County Chapter of School Facilities Association plans and coordinates the event — said he feels the show continues to offer a program that not only enriches the individual, but also the employee.
“We feel that bringing all the schools’ O&M staffs together to hear a unified message and receive unified training gives us all a stronger workforce countywide,” said Wideman.
The festivities, held at Mexico Middle School during winter break for area schools, included O&M staff members from all nine Oswego County districts plus the Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation.
The middle school’s gymnasium was packed for the afternoon’s trade show, with crowds of people examining equipment, services and more.
“As always, the vendors supported this effort with resounding enthusiasm,” said Wideman. “This is their one chance to meet and speak with everyone from all the districts in one place.”
Another thing the trade show allows the DOF group to do is assist local students going into the trade with scholarships. In the past five years, the group has awarded 42 post-high school scholarships to students in Oswego County schools going into the “building sciences and trade-related fields” according to Wideman.
“This is one of our proudest accomplishments. It’s all made possible through this day,” he added.
Wideman and the group thanked the vendors for their continued partnership along with the Mexico Academy and Central School District for the use of its facilities and accommodating staff.
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