Michael Drahos (left), chairman of the managing partners congratulates Fred Bragan on his appointment as the new executive director of the Literacy Coalition of Madison County.
(Madison County, NY – June 2014) The Literacy Coalition of Madison County New York is pleased to announce the appointment of its new executive director, Fred Bragan. Bragan, who is retiring as the superintendent of the Canastota Central School District, was a founding member of the coalition and had previously served as a managing partner.
The Coalition serves as a county-wide collaborative mechanism for organizations that serve people with limited literacy skills. It is comprised of more than 40 diverse community organizations, school districts, health care sites, higher education institutions, local and state governments and public libraries.
Through its five-year county-wide Literacy Plan, the Coalition has implemented family literacy and workforce development programs, expanded programs for adult learners and introduced Imagination Library, which provides free monthly books to preschool children until they enter kindergarten, throughout Madison County.
In 2012, the Coalition was chosen as a national finalist in the All-America Cities Campaign for Grade Level Reading, which was a testament to its creative, sustainable and knowledgeable approach to community change.
Michael Drahos, the chairman of the managing partners, expressed his gratitude to Jay Dunn, who is leaving the executive director position in order to enjoy his life as a retired educator.
“The managing partners are thrilled to have someone of Fred’s knowledge and experience lead us into the next stages of our strategic plan,” Drahos said. “We are excited by the enthusiasm and vision that Mr. Bragan expressed to us during the interview process.”
The Oneida Public Library is the fiscal agent for the Coalition, which is governed by the managing partners. The Central New York Community Foundation is a key ongoing supporter of the Coalition, both as a grant funder and a managing partner. For more on the Literacy Coalition, visit www.literacycoalitionmadisoncountyny.org/.