The 2004 SPOA Conference: Something for everyone

The 40th annual SPOA conference, with the theme, “Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence,” attracted a record 140 delegates to Penticton's Trade and Convention Centre, June 14, 2004. True to its billing, it literally offered something for everyone involved with school buildings.

One of the key organizers John Garossino, of Kamloops, said the conference was tremendously successful, sold out and operating with a waiting list. In a trade show that blended its

activities and representatives with SPOA presentations, 119 exhibit booths were staffed. Throughout, a partners' program provided a full range of activities for both delegates and exhibitors.

Events got under way with a golf tournament on the first day, at Skaha Meadows Golf Course, followed by a president's reception at the conference centre. On June 2, the trade show opened and, following a new member orientation, a Ministry of Education update session provided SPOA members with information on where things are headed and what they will have on B.C.'s school districts.

Caleb Wong, of the Employer Advisor Office, Ministry of Skills Development & Labor, presented an update on Workers Compensation Board regulations that affect school districts. Linda Kinney, of SHAPE, spoke on secondary school theatre concerns and how they should be addressed, especially in light of student and staff safety. Jim Watson, an RGC technical manager, addressed the delegates and exhibitors on what to look for when assessing roofs. Ernie Lambert, Vice President, and Operations Supervisor with the Rocky Mountain school district, conducted a round table session on custodial staffing and standards, and equipment evaluations. Risk management consultant Ed McGuigan provided a review of a new consulting system that has been put in place and what it means to the members.

On June 3, SPOA's annual general meeting got under way, with annual elections. Later in the day, Brian Chutter, an employee relations specialist with BCPSEA, discussed the sensitive topics of discipline and grievance. He followed this with a discussion on disability management issues.

Later, representatives of Terasen Gas, Matt Steele, Tom Loski and Adrian Patridge, covered the firm's natural gas rates, demand-side management and delivery cost/commodity affairs, among other topics. Rex Morrison, of Reno, Nev., spoke on a new process cleaning system that combines the best of team and zone cleaning. The public schools of Reno implemented this new approach and realized cost savings, increasing the cleanliness of their buildings at the same time.

Ernie Lambert conducted a presentation on SPOA certification, explaining the process involved and how this program developed. A round table discussion followed, for delegates interested in filling out an application for certification.

John Bonnet and Terry Gomez, BCSSA, spoke on strategies for injury prevention and a BC Hydro Power Smart presentation designed especially for school custodial staff, proceeded with Amy Dean, marketing manager for BC Hydro. Wayne Ferguson, remediation coordinator, for the Building Envelope Program, discussed the program outline, what con-

stitutes a building envelope failure, how to monitor performance and projects that were repaired under the program.

Brian Miltimore, of NRCAN, discussed green building case studies, focusing on a retrofit program that helps education and health care organizations procure building retrofits to conserve energy. This program provides guidance, resource tools and model documents in direct aid of the procurement process.

Microbial contamination and new standards for its assessment and remediation were discussed by Jim Bagley and John Holland, MCIOB, along with sewer back-ups, sprinkler actuation and sprinkler maintenance, all important issues for several school districts. They also touched on crawl spaces and portable buildings.

The conference theme for 2005 is “Charting Our Course”.

Glenn Miller commented also, “As the president of the School Plant Officials Association of British Columbia for the 2003-2004 year, I am thrilled with the outcome of this year's conference.

Left to right, (Tom Walkley, Supervisor of Operations, SD5 Southeast Kootenay), (Robert Lawrence, Supervisor of Safety Services, SD 60, Peace River North), (Ivan Lewis, Maintenance Supervisor, SD 60 Peace River North), (Dan Horochuk, Manager of Operations, SD# 83, North Okanagan/ Shuswap) Chuck Morris, Manager, Building Trades, and Tom Louie, Director of Facilities (both of school district 35, Langley).

“The hard work and dedication of the entire executive should be commended for the long hours and constant attention to details in putting together a conference of this size. The success of this year's program can be attributed largely to the commitment that our members made in taking the time out of their busy schedules to attend. “If quality is defined as meeting or exceeding expectations, then we have achieved our goal this year in providing an education and trade show program that will have direct contribution to the continuous improvement of our plant officials. While we believe that we ultimately enhance the learning environment for the students in British Columbia, it is also our belief that continuous learning is fundamental to our improvement. “Our 40th anniversary is good reason to celebrate the successes of the past - and what a show it was.”

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