Business Alliance Frequently Asked Questions

 

Why are partnerships with stakeholders critical to the development of Tech Valley High School?

The organizers of Tech Valley High School and the Tech Valley High School operating board believe that the school can be a model that reflects the best thinking of the region. To that end, and in accordance with the state legislature, stakeholders from K-12 education, business, higher education, organized labor and government mobilized as the Business Alliance for Tech Valley High School.

What is the Business Alliance for Tech Valley High School?

The Business Alliance for Tech Valley High School was formed to connect economic development with public education in Tech Valley by influencing and sustaining a regional high school focused on emerging technologies. Its membership is 30 leaders from business, economic development, higher education, K-12 education, organized labor and government.

It supports and advises the operating board, administration, staff and students of Tech Valley High School to ensure a strong linkage and ongoing interaction between the real world of work in an emerging technologies community and the school’s curriculum and activities. It focuses on developing and implementing strategies and tactics to connect Tech Valley High School with the Tech Valley economy through:

• Workforce development: To address the employment needs of businesses focused on emerging technologies in our community.
  

• Professional development: To foster a sustained partnership between business and education in the development of teaching and learning skills.
  

• Economic development: To provide a link between economic drivers and public educational initiatives.
  

• Educational reform: To help affect a regional transformation in education to address 21st century standards and skills.
  

It provides a conduit for information and requests from business-to-school and school-to-business; introduces “best-of-class” business processes and practices into the school; facilitates externships, internships, tours, guest speakers, loaned executives, etc.; provides additional thought leadership in the areas of curriculum, staff selection, special projects, etc.; and continuously validates the school with the business community.

Who Leads up the Business Alliance?

The Business Alliance is co-chaired by Kevin Leyden, a solution executive in the Albany office of IBM, and Amy Johnson, president of Capstone Inc., Latham.

What has the Business Alliance for Tech Valley High School accomplished to date?

It developed a detailed Strategic Framework for Tech Valley High School, which, in great part, has informed the Strategic Operating Plan for Tech Valley High School. Additionally, it helped immeasurably in rallying the business, higher education and organized labor community to help pass the state legislation.

It was instrumental in forming implementation teams that are moving the Tech Valley High School initiative through its next stages. Nearly 100 leaders from K-12 education, business, higher education, organized labor and government are members of these teams, which meet regularly to help shape and implement the school.

Among the thought leaders for the school are:

• John Cavalier, retired chairman of the board, MapInfo Coproration

• John Ebersole, president, Excelsior College

• Linda Hillman, president, Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce

• Amy Johnson, president, Capstone Inc.

• Kevin Leyden, solution executive, IBM

• William F. O’Connor III, AIA, expansion project director, Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, Mass.

• Dr. Roger Saillant, CEO, Plug Power

• Charles Steiner, president, The Chamber of Schenectady County

• Dr. Lawrence Sturman, director, Wadsworth Center/Health Research Inc.

• Lyn Taylor, president, Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce
  

• In addition, the Business Alliance has helped to form the Tech Valley School Foundation, chaired by John C. Cavalier, retired chairman of the board of directors of MapInfo Corporation, Troy.