Shown are members of the Executive Committee of the Chautauqua County Education Coalition (L-R): Mike Abbate, Cummins; Tory Irgang, United Way of Southern Chautauqua County; Todd Tranum, Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce and MAST; Dr. Laura Pless, Education Coalition Coordinator; Justin Hanft, Dream It Do It Chautauqua County; and Sarah Gilbert, Chautauqua County Health Network.

DUNKIRK – The Chautauqua County Education Coalition is announcing the recent hiring of Laura Pless as its Coordinator.

Pless was most recently Superintendent of Schools at Amherst Central School District and previously served as Superintendent of Schools at Westfield Academy and Central school District.  She was also formerly a school principal at Westfield and Fredonia Central School District and held several other positions at Fredonia including Director of Student Support Services and Director of Student Activities.  She was a special education teacher at the elementary, middle, and high school levels at Fredonia Central and for the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) LoGuidice Center at Fredonia.  Dr. Pless was also an adjunct professor at the State University of New York at Fredonia.

“The process of positive change requires patience and communication,” Pless said.  “We have witnessed that within the public education system, and we are focused on collaboration with all stakeholders as we seek to develop stronger students and better outcomes for our entire community.  I place a great value on work that encompasses all segments of our population and believe in the effectiveness of aligning the work we do with the community we serve.”

The mission of the Chautauqua County Education Coalition is to align resources and build capabilities to meet the evolving workforce requirements of the community.  With more than 80 stakeholders representing over 60 organizations countywide, the Coalition seeks to develop and implement solutions to meet the evolving workforce requirements in Chautauqua County.

The Coalition is funded by a major grant from Cummins, Inc. and is housed with the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce in its Dunkirk office.