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BRIDGTON EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT &
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT
NOVEMBER 5, 2009 - 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
DOWN EAST INC.
Overview: Lake Region High School and Vocational Center students will leave school at a time when local, state, and national economic realities are more uncertain than ever before. To help illuminate emerging trends in the Maine economy and workforce, and the educational opportunities that will prepare our students for success the 21st century, an eclectic group of business leaders, educators,students, parents, representatives of post-secondary educational institutions, and municipal officials will convene to share insights, learn from each other, and discuss innovative strategies to better meet the needs of both businesses and our young people.
The Summit, which is scheduled for November 5, 2009 and co-sponsored by the Town of Bridgton and MSAD #61, will explore (and extend beyond) the following essential questions:
- What can we learn from recent Department of Labor statistics on employment and job creation in Maine to guide the creation of new educational offerings?
- What additional regional economic data do we have to inform our thinking?
- At the national level, what skills and abilities have been identified as those most likely to be essential to success in the 21st century?
- Are local employers able to find well-qualified workers for their current jobs? If not, what areas are most in need?
- How do post-secondary educational institutions match their offerings to emerging economic trends?
- What innovative strategies can K-12 educators employ to increase the number of students graduating and moving successfully into post-secondary education or careers?
- How will the increasing use of technology in the workplace, classroom, and in the pockets of our young people impact education and work?
- What opportunities exist to strengthen partnerships among regional business leaders, economic development officials, K-12 and post-secondary education institutions?
- How can we effectively mobilize leadership among today’s students and keep more of them in school through graduation and into post-secondary education and training?
Presentations:
- John Dorrer, Maine Department of Labor, will review data on the Maine workplace, identify trends in employment, and discuss implications for education.
- Anita Bernhardt from the Maine Department of Education will summarize the frameworks used by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, as well as the Maine Learning Results, and highlight implications for educational programs.
- Alan Manoian, Bridgton Economic Development Director, will review regional data on economic development and labor market trends.
- Peter Robertson, LRHS Guidance Dept., will summarize what we know about current post-secondary education trends among recent graduates, and highlight challenges and opportunities as the school seeks to better serve students.
Participants (in alphabetical order)
- Anne-Marie Amiel, Esq., Co-Owner, Winterford Galleries, Inc. & Attorney
- Dr. Kathleen Beecher, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, SAD #61
- Mitch Berkowitz, Bridgton Town Manager
- Anita Bernhardt, Science Content Specialist, Maine Department of Education
- Zenya Brackett, Director of Operations, SPX/Radiodetection
- Zane Clement, Adult Education Director, SAD #61 and SAD #72
- Jack Day, Vice President & Commercial Lending Officer, Norway Savings Bank
- David Diller, Pharmacist & Commercial Property Owner
- John Dorrer, Maine Department of Labor
- Dylan Dupee, Drafting & Design II Student, Lake Region Vocational Center
- Lee Eastman, Northeast Director of Operations, Everlast Roofing Co., Inc. & Chairman, Bridgton Economic Development Committee
- Frank Howell, President & CEO Down East, Inc.
- Michael Levant, State Planning Office
- Alan S. Manoian, AICP, Bridgton Economic Development Director
- Justin McIver, Office Manger, DM Electric & Sons, President (MEH) Maine Eco Homes
- Valerie Lamont, University of Southern Maine School of Business
- Roger Lowell, Lake Region High School Principal
- Amy Mayo, Science Teacher, Lake Region High School
- Nancy McLean, Lake Region High School Guidance Department
- Dee Miller, Town of Bridgton Planning Board, Town of Bridgton Economic Development Committee
- Mary Jo O’Connor, Southern Maine Community College
- Patrick Phillips, Superintendent of Schools, SAD #61
- Peter Robertson, Lake Region High School Guidance Department
- Rosie Schacht, Lake Region Vocational Center Director
- Joshua Sturk, Director of Educational Technology, SAD #61
- Karla Swanson-Murphy, Home Interiors Product Manager, Hancock Lumber
- Karen Thompson, Mother of Automotive Tech. II Student, LRVC
Owner/Operator of Downeast Engraving
- Zack Tomkinson, Student, LRHS
- Wayne Warner, Chair SAD #61 School Board
- Paul A. Wescott, President & CEO Howell Laboratories, Inc.
- Craig Whitaker, Principal, Mills Whitaker Architects
- Woody Woodward, Bridgton Board of Selectmen & Owner, Highland Lake Resort
Format: The day will be a combination of large and small group discussions, some small breakout groups will be work-alike, while others will group individuals across their various roles. After hearing from the presenters above, the work-alike groups will review the data presented and identify implications from their unique perspective. Groups will report their findings to the large group before lunch, then form heterogeneous groups in the afternoon to seek common meaning and to identify possible actions.
Follow Up: It is likely that an interim working group or ad hoc committee will be formed to summarize the day’s findings, identify short-term actions, and prepare for a subsequent reconvening of the group in January.
Logistics: The meeting will be conducted at Down East, Inc. located at 11 Depot St., Bridgton, Maine, adjacent to the Magic Lantern Theater on Rt.302. Lunch will be served. If you have special dietary needs, please contact Alan Manoian at the Bridgton Town Office at 627-8786.
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