Ted Barklage with New System has been working with the Gateway Chapter of the US Green Building Council to try to get the state of Missouri to change to Green Cleaning in Schools for the health and well-being of the students, administrators, staff, and visitors that frequent our public schools. To see a copy of the bill, click here.

As you know, we already have Green “Guidelines” in place.  This bill simply changes them from “may” to “shall.”  Please contact your state representatives and senators regarding passing this bill.

*Several state and national associations are joining in the efforts to get this bill passed in Missouri.  Ten other states have already passed similar legislation.*

Our University is embarking upon a study to improve our new and current employee training strategies.  This study is seeking processes and programs to seamlessly provide mandatory, as well as, elective training to our employee population.  This training will include, but not be limited to, the following areas:

1)      Sexual Harassment/Hostile Work Environment
2)      FERPA
3)      Diversity/ Disability Awareness/ADA
4)      Ethics
5)      Customer Service
6)      EPA Hazardous Communications Training
7)      Computer Use Policy
8)      FMLA

In conducting this study, we are seeking information from  groups who might have employee training strategies or protocols already developed and in place.  It is our belief that programs that have been successfully implemented by your group  might prove helpful in the development of our own strategic training regimen. To this end,  I am respectfully requesting your help. Any suggestions of strategies, protocols or programs that are utilized in training your employee populations would be greatly appreciated. Specifically,  we are interested in knowing what training materials, if any, you utilize, what purchased programs, if any, are used by your group and what, if any, online programs are used.  Also, if you have developed your own training program specific to your group, we would be greatly interested in seeing your model.

It is our belief that an educated employee group is an essential part of a successful program.  Training is of the utmost importance to the development and support of competent, productive and reliable individuals who produce positive results toward that success.  Thus we aspire, with your help, to develop a program that will ultimately produce a  focused and pertinent  employee training and education program that can be instituted in a timely, efficient, and effective manner. 

Please let me thank you in advance for any help you might be able to provide, and don’t hesitate to contact me with any input, suggestions or questions you might have.

Sincerely,

Mike Fox
Supervisor, Mechanical Division of Facilities Improvements 
Missouri Southern State University
3950 East Newman road
Joplin, MO 64801
417-625-9560
fox-m@mssu.edu

The Department of Natural Resources, Division of Energy, is extending their application period for the Energize Missouri Schools and Local Government energy loan program.  Funds are still available and they will accept applications until remaining funds are awarded. Please follow the link below to the website that includes forms and guidelines. 

http://dnr.mo.gov/transform/schools-government.htm

If you have any questions regarding this, please contact:
David Harrison
Schools and Local Governments, MDNR
PO Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176
Phone: 573-751-7057
Fax: 573-751-6860

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The 22nd Annual MSPMA Conference Vendor Application is now available!  Download it here and send it in today!

In hard economic times many people think of ways to reduce/eliminate cost.  Sometimes we discover that we have reduced/eliminated to the point that there is nothing else to reduce/eliminate.  School administrators are no exception and are faced with 'thinking outside box' to generate extra revenue that is being missed from various sources.    Some discussion is surfacing about allowing vendor(s) to advertise their services/product in/on public school property.  Some recent examples:  An insurance company was allowed to not only purchase a front illuminated sign but to allow the company name on the sign and pay a monthly 'advertising fee.'  In another reported case the same situation for the score board in a high school gym.  Perhaps to take the issue even further - why not decal(s) on floor (like in supermarket) or advertising on soap/hand towel dispensers?  

*  Has your school considered allowing the acceptance of receiving monies from vendors for advertising within/outside your school district?
*  If your school district is currently allowing advertising within your school district - how are you displaying the advertisement? 
*  If your school district is currently allowing advertising within your school district - how did you determine agreeable compensation from vendor?
*  If your School District has allowed the advertising of products/services in/on school property, have you encountered any problems from allowing the advertising to occur?  Either from the advertising itself or from the community?

To respond to this survey, post your answers on our Facebook page!  Click here, "Like" us (if you haven't already) and respond!  Your feedback is appreciated!

The Missouri School Plant Managers Association, MSPMA, chartered in 1991, was formed in the interest of enhancing and promoting the educational process.  Its   purpose is to provide for the exchange of information that will improve school plant  management, maintenance and care through promotion of acceptable policies, standards and practices; and to promote the professional advancement of school plant management personnel.  Membership includes school superintendents, maintenance personnel, custodial supervisors, and others employed in school operations from public and private schools, and universities and colleges across the state.

Governed by a board of directors, MSPMA hosts an annual convention each fall to further educational enhancement.  The convention is a professional development opportunity for participants allowing them to:

See the latest equipment and materials.

Discuss common concerns with a select group of professional peers from across the country.

Receive the latest professional information on issues of vital importance.

Improve the effectiveness of day-to-day operations.

Enjoy both formal and social opportunities to network with other professionals who share common goals.
MSMPA committees are exploring new avenues to expand our resources, to ensure our members are kept appraised of changes in state and federal legislation regarding education and educational facilities, to certify school managers of maintenance and operations and to create a state clearing house for employment opportunities.  Our goal is to become the organization that legislative leaders look to when writing legislation.

MSPMA is a growing organization with the objective of assisting school plant managers, and through them, the children of this great state.