[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6284761,"mediaKeyId","2576818-61a541cb40b5b9d54a67ab226085bdb3","parentId",2576818,"title","School committee approves calendar, graduation competency rules, cost-of-living increase; tables student club, forms aviation task force","audioSeconds",1742,"startMs",2031000,"endMs",3773000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576818-61a541cb40b5b9d54a67ab226085bdb3&start=2031&end=3773","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576818-61a541cb40b5b9d54a67ab226085bdb3/thumbnail_2031000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6284761/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-calendar-graduation-competency-rules-cost-of-living-increase-tables-student-club-forms-aviation-task-force","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284761-d57772b2a78815bb5c5b03376807e4ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1776015269&Signature=R~SJY3GRWq6xpncQIIuHeYIM20yShpAIrBIYVpxowO3mmVSXnhVe32tlgI0-XlUGSugmpOoPwkkFSTsG6R62w12~3fDhA9rtFq4oG5RPOSRNTsAcoL57i7-SB6bT1pCKf-SFWYBnb2VH96EtbN53q5mRT-K~QndMNQIwz9HTCiNEs2~FmhraVjhEalvZqFUdjmynUrl-7UVFnrh6-~zutGZ8RwPxcr3RsDvarIiEl5JaDuGkVhF-dpX7X4aCe6UeKUKpmxPhSMXbBRTqBFi2lhiRux-7HI4Atq1Qy~nVQX8R6TaezOMWa0gD89umABvzUqyqTRT1U0tULQWnY2Xoxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical, MA","date","2025-03-12T11:18:39Z","article","The Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical School Committee conducted multiple formal votes on March 11. Key outcomes: approval of the 2025–26 school calendar; adoption of local graduation competency determination requirements for the Class of 2025; approval of a 3.25% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for nonunion personnel, creation of a standing subcommittee on health insurance, and formation of an aviation task force with stakeholder surveys and a 6–8 month target for preliminary work. The committee also tabled a proposed student “Active Minds” club pending more information and set two dates for FY26 budget review.

Votes at a glance

- Acceptance of minutes (02/11/2025): motion passed. Roll-call recorded members voting yes: Miss Pimentel; Mr. Shea; Mrs. Rivera; Dr. Marlin; Mr. Kitchen; Mr. Olivero.

- Approval of bills ($907,279.24): motion to approve moved and passed (motion recorded in meeting). Detailed roll-call for this specific warrant was not provided in the transcript excerpt.

- Approve 2025–26 school calendar: motion and second carried on roll call. Recorded yes votes included Mr. Pinto, Mr. Shea, Mrs. Rivera, Dr. Marlin, Mr. Kitchen and Mr. Olivero.

- Approve graduation competency determination requirements for the Class of 2025: committee voted to approve as submitted so that students meeting local graduation requirements will be deemed to meet the composite determination for 2025. Roll-call 'yes' votes recorded: Miss Cimentel; Mr. Shea; Mrs. Rebero; Dr. Marlin; Miss McKitchen; Miss Olivero.

- Active Minds student activity club: motion to table the request for additional detail (mission, activities). Outcome: tabled; committee asked administration to return with fuller club documentation prior to approval.

- Meeting dates to adopt FY26 operating budget: committee agreed to present the FY26 operating budget at the regular April 8 meeting and to return on April 29, 2025 for final approval (evening meeting, likely 6:00 p.m.).

- Cost-of-living adjustment for nonunion personnel (FY26): committee approved a 3.25% COLA effective 07/01/2026, consistent with union increases. Roll-call 'yes' votes recorded: Miss Pimentel; Mr. Shea; Mrs. Rivera; Dr. Marlin; Mr. Kitchen; Mr. Olivero.

- Creation of a school committee standing subcommittee on health insurance: motion approved by roll call; members discussed nominating three committee members to the subcommittee and several volunteers were identified for confirmation. The district will brief the subcommittee on plan options before any formal recommendations.

- Receive and place on file: notification of retirement (Diane Fuller, effective January 30, 2026) and donations (Exquisite Events, Ethan Ames Builders Inc., Primo Medical Group): motions to receive and place on file carried on roll call.

- Formation of aviation task force and stakeholder surveys: the committee voted to form an aviation task force and to conduct stakeholder surveys with a 6–8 month target to return preliminary findings. The motion passed on roll call; members discussed industry partners, startup costs and a staged timeline for program development.

Procedural notes: roll-call tallies are recorded in the meeting transcript for many items; where individual roll-call entries were not explicitly recorded in the text for a specific motion, the article notes the overall outcome as stated in the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","GNBVT School Committee Meeting - March 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical School Committee conducted multiple formal votes on March 11, approving the 2025–26 calendar, graduation competency rules for 2025, and a 3.25% COLA for nonunion staff; the committee also formed an aviation task force and a health-insurance subcommittee and tabled a student club pending more detail.","taxTitle","Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",46542,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284767,"District showcases student projects, co-op growth and industry credentials in monthly Artisan Report",784,1206000,1990000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576818-61a541cb40b5b9d54a67ab226085bdb3&start=1206&end=1990","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576818-61a541cb40b5b9d54a67ab226085bdb3/thumbnail_1206000.jpg","/articles/6284767/Massachusetts/District-showcases-student-projects-co-op-growth-and-industry-credentials-in-monthly-Artisan-Report","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284767-7b76732c8b3369ac623dfe9618ddb7c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1776015269&Signature=KWdXO6EkwDc4eFmlAmptU8YfV2tm5WAAKhA532bzswoo8rO9ywa3dfksL22hlR2EFI~yPwaODRSCCaYHGp63yJ1A8SDORD0GYn7VtCrUd67zaiHJstsR3G1~HDfjHPpE601BGBVZETPgFInalnVT31J6Ja7SMgbGoZ9Pxm1Rlr7BMYsta9oth-lyHaV3MPP6Bd-CYiWIUcHYV0v~Xyy5jvMD-H6SanwEDNz1LlA-orQVOs5BAkDl0j0o2jcX~Bz7r9kxwEk95T-2tLRUem1p7PlsI7GIwdRtTnclua8iB0lZxcQOdxwbTAe7bPVkGgoZxchO2VFzkxMvJ5Kjsnga9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff presented the monthly “Artisan Report” during the March 11 Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical School Committee meeting, summarizing academic and career-technical (CTE) program activities across academies and highlighting cooperative-education placements and credentialing.

The report, presented by staff substituting for Principal Williams, listed program-specific items: automotive technical demonstrations and college visits; cosmetology seniors doing client services with 14 seniors reported to have passed the state licensing exam; diesel students completing OSHA 10 and pursuing ACE brake certification; marine-technology freshmen building fiberglass models and an all-time high freshman count (17); architectural and mechanical design students collaborating with metal fab to renovate workspace and install downdraft welding tables; and engineering/robotics seniors designing a support structure for a 1,600-watt wind turbine to be mounted above their shop.

District staff said the cooperative-education program has grown substantially: more than 240 students were reported out on cooperative education and over 40 in placement transitioning to co-op. The presenter noted seniors’ cooperative placements and said the program’s students have generated meaningful employer value; at one point the presenter said students had “just hit the $1,000,000” mark for a tracked cycle metric. Staff also highlighted that junior and senior students in stationary engineering are preparing the school’s high-pressure boiler for required internal inspection.

Attendance and student supports were included: the report cited over 96% approval on attendance highlights and ongoing attention to chronic absenteeism through guidance and social-emotional supports. The report also detailed middle-school outreach and open-house activity that the district called an important step in student recruitment and collaboration with New Bedford Public Schools and Superintendent O’Leary.

Why it matters: the report illustrates hands-on learning, rising co-op participation and credentialing that feed local workforce pipelines. Staff asked the committee to note ongoing partnerships with industry, higher education and advisory boards; several members affirmed that these program outcomes align with regional employer needs.

Next steps: staff will continue to share Artisan reports and weekly updates; the superintendent said aspects of the report will feed into the April budget presentation and continuing district planning.","Superintendent and district staff reviewed the Artisan Report highlighting program activities across academies, cooperative education growth (over 240 students currently on co-op), industry certifications and building/technical projects including an engineering team study of a 1,600-watt roof-mounted wind turbine.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6284771,"GNVVT increases freshman seats to 508, reports 66.8% first-choice placement for Class of 2028",1012,169000,1181000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2576818-61a541cb40b5b9d54a67ab226085bdb3&start=169&end=1181","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2576818-61a541cb40b5b9d54a67ab226085bdb3/thumbnail_169000.jpg","/articles/6284771/Massachusetts/GNVVT-increases-freshman-seats-to-508-reports-668-first-choice-placement-for-Class-of-2028","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6284771-d279aac5d29d0998c426b46496cf0205/orig.mp4?Expires=1776015269&Signature=hRfSQrTeIVfKYW2lZ-gzYabcDHLvUs9e9c0eSKPvLrsRPgCC0Ad9gv8NZ6rL1OLRF2qMq8~HsAhw8Plb13Y9Z4zoj27J5~aa7lWqiLWzqxa-p6Oyd~kf5DZhOkDLZ6N8zWOu34s0mNfLdR6rGmH1yyEcP-QS2bcc~ubc4g364WFu1aItMXmx6PAII1Rga7FoqG~EBPXM3koh9BCLkXDVcaIN3GcfLJ4oXguzUQHU~W2K-T7MHiau~zbJ5tuIXuIFyukppa4-Zk9bEyKwQCWfuDRG5XpjCpL-Bx23zlv3BzLvSkL3i2rNXa0krTEdkBbvXqAFzqxgISZJXOrbll7sHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kathy Rubel, a district staff member presenting the Freshman Exploratory update, told the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School District Committee on March 11 that the district increased available freshman seats to 508 for the Class of 2028 and adjusted the cycle structure of several shop programs.

Rubel said the net increase is six seats after program changes: culinary arts was reduced to 34 seats (17 per cycle); dental assisting was converted to a double-cycle program accepting 14 students on each side; metal joining and fabrication moved to a double-cycle model and raised capacity (reported as 24); and plumbing moved to a double-cycle model and expanded into engineering-space senior offerings. The changes, she said, were intended to better align capacity with demand and program frameworks.

The presenter gave placement statistics: of 554 applicants, 317 students were placed in their first-choice program (66.8%), up roughly 3.5 percentage points from last year’s 63.1% figure. Rubel reported 16 students were not placed in any of their six ranked selections this year, down from 26 the previous year. She identified programs where unplaced students landed: diesel engineering, information technology, design and visual/metal tech, stationary engineering and nurse assistant.

Why it matters: committee members said the distribution of students across shops affects equity, credentials and apprenticeships. A committee member raised concerns about “undersized shops” that remain hard to fill despite apparent demand for other programs. Rubel and other staff said they are examining multiple factors — equipment, program frameworks, teacher placement and advisory-board feedback — to understand why some programs attract more students than others.

Rubel said the district will break down placement data by student demographic categories — race, ethnicity, IEP and ELL status — and provide counts for first- and second-choice placement. She also said the district is reviewing the exploratory rubric, teacher assignments and the three-day exploratory schedule as possible levers to improve distribution and equity. The presenter cautioned that one year of data does not establish a trend and that the district is analyzing three years of information.

Committee discussion also touched on regional workforce guidance (the South Coast blueprint), career-cruising/interest-testing alignment and past four-year career-plan processes as ways to give students better information before they rank programs. Superintendent and staff remarks signaled that additional administrative restructuring and a budget presentation in April will include proposals to address long-term tracking and alignment work.

Next steps: staff said the demographic breakdown of placements will be released, and exploratory-program revisions — possibly including a pre-exploratory baseline or changes to the rubric and cycle structure — will be studied and discussed with teachers and advisory boards ahead of the 2025–26 cycle.","District staff presented changes to freshman exploratory for the Class of 2028, adding six seats, expanding several programs to a double-cycle model and reporting 317 of 554 students (66.8%) placed in their first-choice program; 16 students were not placed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School committee approves calendar, graduation competency rules, cost-of-living increase; tables student club, forms aviation task force

District showcases student projects, co-op growth and industry credentials in monthly Artisan Report

GNVVT increases freshman seats to 508, reports 66.8% first-choice placement for Class of 2028