Griffo and Brindisi Hosting Education Commissioner’s Appearance for Town Hall Series

(Utica) – State Senator Joseph A. Griffo today confirmed that the second part of his three-part Education Town Hall Series in Oneida County will feature another Town Hall-style public forum with New York State Education Commissioner Dr. John King, Jr., at Whitesboro High School on Monday, October 7^th from 6:30 – 8:00 P.M.

Assemblymember Anthony J. Brindisi is joining Senator Griffo as a cohost for Commissioner King’s visit.

“This forum presents an outstanding opportunity for parents, educators, and community members to engage in a discussion about the future of public education in our state,” Brindisi said. “There are many issues I hear about from constituents on a daily basis, including Common Core Standards and the Regents’ reform agenda that would be excellent topics for this Town Hall meeting. I am very pleased that Commissioner King will be listening to our concerns, and I encourage anyone with an interest in these and other issues affecting our students to attend this meeting.”

“The Town Hall public forum which Senator Flanagan participated in, engendered a lively, thoughtful, discussion of the serious challenges facing educators, parents and students,” said Senator Griffo. “We expect that the Commissioner’s return visit to the Mohawk Valley will hold much of the same kind of intelligent interaction. There are some very strong opinions over the current direction of primary education in New York and I’ve found Commissioner King to be a bright and articulate official who will offer good debate and dialogue. He’s looking forward to the event and I’m pleased that we were able to host his participation in the Education Town Hall series.”

Part one was a public forum, Town Hall-style meeting that was held this past Tuesday that on primary education where school officials, teachers, students and school board members discussed their concerns with the New York Senate Committee on Education Chairman, Senator John Flanagan.

Griffo will also host the third part of the series - a visit later next week, from the Chairman of the State Senate Committee on Higher Education, Senator Kenneth Lavalle, who will be touring local colleges and universities in the Utica region and discussing higher education issues.

Whitesboro Central School District Superintendent David Langone said, “I think that this is a great opportunity to interact with the Commissioner regarding the Regents’ reform agenda and all of the challenges that we face in education. On behalf of the area, we appreciate Senator Griffo’s efforts for this visit to the region.”

Education Town Hall (part II) sponsored by Senator Griffo and Assemblyman Brindisi featuring NY State Education Commissioner Dr. John B. King, Jr.

WHEN: Monday, October 7, 2013 6:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.

WHERE: Whitesboro High School, Main Gymnasium, 6000 Route 231, Whitesboro, NY

Note: The Public is welcome to attend and ask questions; reservations are unnecessary.