Postponed Due to COVID-19
The 65th Annual School Plant Operation & Maintenance Conference
Hosted By:
The Vermont School Custodians and Maintenance Association (VSCMA)
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Thursday, June 22, 2023
Hartford High School, White River Jct, VT
Registration is now Closed!
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Save the Date!
June 20, 2024
Inevitably, the biggest obstacle faced by communities seeking to provide their students with 21st century learning environments is predetermined low expectations. When substandard facility conditions become normalized, student achievement becomes limited by a glass ceiling. In order for students to unlock and maximize their potential, they must be given both the tools and the opportunity to succeed. This presentation will discuss the importance that school facilities have on student outcomes, the economy, and the community, while discussing strategies to secure funding and the necessary support for improvements

Mario Carreno is the Chief Operations Officer at the Rhode Island Department of Education (“RIDE”). As an Accredited Learning Environment Planner (ALEP), he has advocated for school construction projects over the last thirteen years as part of the Department. He is the State’s expert in school construction financing and works with district and municipal leaders throughout the state to maximize their return-on-investment of educational dollars. Moreover, Mr. Carreno understands that schools need to fully engage students, which requires a non-traditional approach to education. As such, he has spearheaded new and innovative initiatives at RIDE that have provided schools with multi-purpose food trucks, outdoor classrooms, modern furniture, and funding for the arts.
Keynote Presentation: Tearing Down Low Expectations
Mario Carreno