PINE BUSH HIGH SCHOOL

"For the past six years, Pine Bush High School has partnered with Allendale Machinery Systems and Haas Factory Outlet to provide the highest quality CNC education to the students at PBHS. Allendale Machinery Systems has a proven track record of supporting schools, students, and staff by partaking in professional boards, by providing professional development for staff, and by joining in-person classes or virtually via Google Meets to work with students. Allendale Machinery Systems also provides excellent discounts to support educators who are looking to purchase STEAM equipment.  Pine Bush High School has had the opportunity to collaborate with three STEAM programs at RPI, Hudson Valley Community College,  and the Brooklyn Navy Yard.  I can personally attest to the professionalism and commitment to education that Allendale Machinery Systems employees provide educators." 

- Aaron Hopmayer
Principal at Pine Bush High School

On Tuesday, April 27,2021 Gene Haas and Allendale Machinery Systems partnered together to launch the Gene Haas Innovation Center at Pine Bush High School. The $250,000 grant will go towards the Gene Haas Innovation Center at PBHS, the first of its kind in any high school in the country. Being the first high school to receive a grant from the Gene Haas Foundation has marked this special event as an important milestone in bridging the gap between manufacturing and the future workforce.

The renovation at Pine Bush will double the square footage of the center to expand the schools STEAM program. The STEAM program is comprised of subjects in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. The current students were able to demonstrate how they utilized the equipment to the attendees that ranged from politicians to advanced manufacturing partners. Kathy Looman, who represents the Haas Foundation, was also in attendance. Kathy shared how important it has been for her to get industry and education to talk to each other. She has been in manufacturing for 16 years and has worked with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and was able to venture to the philanthropic side of the industry with Haas Automation. As part of Haas, Kathy provides scholarships and grants to schools with manufacturing programs, following the same path as Gene Haas.

The Gene Haas Foundation was established in 1999 by Haas Automation, Inc., founder and CEO Gene Haas. He first provided grants to the local community through non-profit organizations. When he saw a growing need for skilled manufacturing employees, he expanded the foundation’s mission to include support for manufacturing training programs. The foundation has provided more than $100 million in grants since its inception.

“Today is significant,” said Tim Mains, superintendent of Pine Bush schools. “We were planning to expand the program, piece by piece. This money allows us to do what we wanted to do with the program facility now. We will add four more classrooms, doubling our space for manufacturing. This program directly benefits our students here at Pine Bush High School and I thank you on their behalf.”

Construction begins in June 2021.