Schedule

SFA Board of Directors Meeting
This is a closed session for SFA board members only.

Saratoga 1 & 2

New Member/First-Timer Orientation
Designed for new attendees and first-time conference participants, this session provides an overview of the association, conference highlights, and tips for making the most of your experience.

Saratoga 3

Sponsor & First-Time Social
An informal networking opportunity connecting first-time attendees with sponsors to build relationships and kick off the conference in a welcoming environment.

Saratoga Ballroom Foyer

Expo Grand Opening: Let’s Go to the Hop!
Celebrate the official opening of the Expo Hall with networking, exhibits, and an energetic atmosphere designed to connect attendees with industry partners.

Hilton Gallery & Center Main Hall, Rooms 1 & 2

Open Evening for Purposeful Networking and Business Relations

Breakfast
Saratoga Ballroom

Opening Session: Built on Tradition. Education. Community.
Kick off the conference with a special performance by the Lansingburgh Student Choir, followed by 10 minutes of opening remarks Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO of NYSERDA, and remarks from NYSSFA President David Ciurczak. Together, they will set the tone for the days ahead, highlighting the association’s commitment to tradition, professional growth, and community.

Saratoga Ballroom

Let’s Go to the Hop! Expo
Continue networking in the Expo Hall while exploring products, services, and solutions from industry partners supporting school facilities across New York State.

Hilton Gallery & Center Main Hall, Rooms 1 & 2

Cornell University School Grounds Maintenance Track 1

Who Owns the Field? Governance, Risk, and Defining “Success” in School Athletic Facilities

School districts are under growing pressure to deliver safe, high-performing athletic fields with limited budgets, staff, and time. Too often, deteriorating fields are treated as an agronomic problem when the real issues are gaps in governance, unclear accountability, and decisions that don’t fully consider risk, safety, and long-term stewardship.

This two-part educational track, led by Cornell University turfgrass and urban environmental specialists Dr. Frank Rossi and Carl Schimenti, reframes school athletic fields as a governance and leadership responsibility, not just a maintenance task. Facilities leaders will leave with practical, New York–specific frameworks they can use immediately to improve field safety, durability, and environmental performance.

Track 1 Presented By: Frank S. Rossi, PhD, Associate Professor at Cornell University

Broadway Ballroom

Association Luncheon
Join fellow attendees for a luncheon featuring updates on civil service topics and recognition of scholarship recipients supporting the next generation of school facilities professionals.

Saratoga Ballroom

Let’s Go to the Hop! Expo Grand Finale & Ice Cream Social
Wrap up the Expo experience with a final opportunity to connect with vendors and colleagues while enjoying a fun and relaxed ice cream social.

Hotel Gallery/City Center

Policy and Program Discussion Tables
Engage directly with representatives from key agencies and organizations, including Civil Service, NYSED, NYSDOH, SEHP, NYSERDA, and Cornell University, in an open forum designed to answer questions, share updates, and discuss programs impacting school facilities statewide.

(Near Registration Desk)

Cornell University School Grounds Maintenance Track 2

Managing Demand with Limited Resources: Stewardship Strategies That Protect Fields, Budgets & Athletes

Building on the governance foundations of Session 1, Carl Schimenti focuses on what facilities professionals can realistically do under tight labor, equipment, and scheduling constraints. Using findings from New York school and sports field research, participants will learn how to prioritize stewardship practices that deliver the greatest impact on safety and field longevity.

Track 2 Presented By: Carl Schimenti, Urban Environmental Specialist, Cornell Turfgrass Team

Broadway Ballroom

Open Evening for Purposeful Networking and Business Relations

Breakfast
Saratoga Ballroom

Government Affairs Report: PLA Legislation and More
Hear the latest updates on legislative activity impacting school facilities, including key developments, advocacy efforts, and what it means for districts across New York State.

Presented By: Emily Whalen, Esq; Attorney at Law, Brown & Weinraub & Lauren Tobias, Senior Advisor, Brown & Weinraub

Saratoga Ballroom

CONCURRENT SESSIONS:
A. Facilities Manager: What Keeps Me Up at Night
Join a candid, closed-door discussion with experienced facilities directors as they share challenges, priorities, and real-world experiences managing operations in today’s evolving environment.

PANEL:

Presented By: Flora Covey, Director of Personnel Development, South Glens Falls Central School District

Broadway Room 3 & 4

BREAK

CONCURRENT SESSIONS:
A. Lead From WHO You Are (repeats at 2:00 pm)

Across roles, systems, and seasons, leaders often feel pulled away from their values by pressure, pace, and expectations. Lead From WHO You Are is about returning to the leader you know you are—but don’t always have the space to be. Through the Personal, People, and Process Rhythms, leaders learn how to ground themselves, build trust through presence, and create habits that keep culture aligned with purpose. This isn’t about becoming someone new or adding more to your plate. It’s about leading with clarity, humanity, and consistency so the best version of you has a better chance to show up—especially when it matters most.

Presented By: Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, Educational Leadership Speaker & Retired Superintendent, Former Superintendent, Fall Creek School District

Broadway Room 1 & 2

B.  SED Safety by Design (repeats at 2:00 pm)
Learn how safety considerations can be integrated into the design and planning process to create more secure and resilient school environments.

Presented By: Kirk Narburgh, CEO & Managing Partner, King + King Architects

Broadway Room 3 & 4


C. Leveraging NYSERDA Programs to Reduce Energy Use and Save Money
Discover available NYSERDA programs and resources that can help districts improve energy efficiency, reduce costs, and support long-term sustainability goals.

Presented By: Hannah Morgan, Senior Project Manager on the Efficiency Planning and Engineering Team, NYSERDA

Travers

Association Elections
Open to DOF members only. Participate in the association’s election process and hear updates on leadership as members help shape the future direction of the organization.

Hotel Gallery

Keynote Luncheon- Earn the Title: Leading the People Everyone Depends On and No One Sees
Every school district runs on people almost no one notices, until something goes wrong. Lt Col Jason O. Harris, USAF (Ret.), a 470-combat-mission veteran and active Boeing 777 pilot, opens with the true story of a Medal of Honor recipient who spent his career as a quiet Air Force Academy janitor, then builds the case for legacy in work that rarely gets applause. Drawing on his No Fail Trust framework, Harris breaks down the real difference between managing, bossing, and leading, and challenges facilities directors to name who is covering their blind spots today. The takeaway: earn the title of leader every single day, whether anyone is watching or not.

Presented By: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jason O. Harris, Decorated Combat Leader, Leadership & Trust Expert

Saratoga Ballroom

Past President’s Advisory Council

Alabama

CONCURRENT SESSIONS:
A. Lead From WHO You Are (repeat from 2:00pm)
Across roles, systems, and seasons, leaders often feel pulled away from their values by pressure, pace, and expectations. Lead From WHO You Are is about returning to the leader you know you are—but don’t always have the space to be. Through the Personal, People, and Process Rhythms, leaders learn how to ground themselves, build trust through presence, and create habits that keep culture aligned with purpose. This isn’t about becoming someone new or adding more to your plate. It’s about leading with clarity, humanity, and consistency so the best version of you has a better chance to show up—especially when it matters most.

Presented By: Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, Educational Leadership Speaker & Retired Superintendent, Former Superintendent, Fall Creek School District

Broadway Room 1 & 2

B.  SED Safety by Design (repeat from 2:00pm)
Learn how safety considerations can be integrated into the design and planning process to create more secure and resilient school environments.

Presented By: Kirk Narburgh, CEO & Managing Partner, King + King Architects

Broadway Room 3 & 4

C. Retirement: Review of the State Retirement Options
Gain an overview of state retirement system options, including key considerations, planning strategies, and resources available to help you prepare for the future.

Presented By: Daniel Hans, Information Representative with the New York State and Local Retirement System

Travers

President’s Reception – By Invitation Only
Join association leadership and fellow attendees for a reception celebrating the community, accomplishments, and continued growth of the organization.

Travers Room

Tradition. Education. Community! Association Reception
Continue networking and celebrating with colleagues in a lively reception environment that highlights the spirit of the association.

Saratoga Ballroom Foyer

Tradition. Education. Community! Banquet
Close out the evening with a formal banquet recognizing achievements, celebrating the community, and reinforcing the values that define the association.

Saratoga Ballroom

Breakfast

Saratoga Ballroom

Officers’ Breakfast
A gathering for association officers to connect, discuss priorities, and continue leadership conversations in an informal setting.

The Boardroom

BOCES Breakfast
An opportunity for BOCES professionals to connect, share insights, and discuss topics specific to their roles and districts.

Broadway Ballroom 1

NYSSFA Board Meet Up and Conference Closure
This session provides an overview of the NYSSFA Board Orientation Toolkit, equipping board members with the resources, expectations, and guidance needed to effectively fulfill their roles and support the organization’s mission.

Travers/Alabama