[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6236035,"mediaKeyId","3390898-d745d674db05ea97991e98aa676a9a24","parentId",3390898,"title","Smith Vocational spotlights cabinetmaking shop; trustees praise student work and enrollment outreach","audioSeconds",1073,"startMs",312000,"endMs",1385000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3390898-d745d674db05ea97991e98aa676a9a24&start=312&end=1385","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3390898-d745d674db05ea97991e98aa676a9a24/thumbnail_312000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6236035/Massachusetts/Smith-Vocational-spotlights-cabinetmaking-shop-trustees-praise-student-work-and-enrollment-outreach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236035-977392be98b17e6d0c630d8cdf556def/orig.mp4?Expires=1770563970&Signature=VQBt-xlEYBRamUlJxgBr2sIpM6ENOMR0~LCkSYaI0NF7~pk8aUb3RB7n~HFAuJ5NEfLOvJARR75DW02LmEv1Vyx0APZBU9gIw95tFPQdwQMru4FiAD~H51lyGKFq2SPPjBC6rrUB1nV2o5340R0KKhG5DsqVcO9c1FdB4e~OOv4KOGIFYyMjC99tIjCPvvnU78kzpzUFCyb-jgemug2qPEFrYreigK7fIlzpBybbIJTes3bN40MX~XXdrG3cg~NwiIpUMDjFI9ov0jk1mTfsJrlyMjihFCLKuuuPwDwDlHxFvZETpVSWWJKvpXhcr4ZUuWoXECSo~shI7z-xw5CEBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Northampton City, MA","date","2025-05-19T23:54:00.45Z","article","The Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School Board of Trustees received a school spotlight presentation on the cabinetmaking program from department head Scott Miller and instructor Jimmy Moore, who described student projects, safety training, co‑op placements and industry exposure.

Nut graf: Trustees praised the program’s statewide reputation and recent competition success, discussed enrollment patterns and capacity to add students, and asked about facility upgrades including dust‑collection improvements and a pending capital plan for the shop.

Presentation highlights: Scott Miller said students enter the shop as ninth graders and that the program emphasizes tool safety before students progress to independent and co‑op work. He said about 31 students are enrolled in cabinetmaking with 11 female students; currently one student is on co‑op. Miller described a mixture of small personal projects and larger campus projects (counters, countertops, a shade chair, a desk or coffee table from a donation slab of maple) and noted the program recently submitted a project to a statewide vocational competition.

Trustees and staff commentary: Trustees and Dr. Lincoln praised the students and instructors for statewide recognition at the Massachusetts vocational conference and for preparing students for careers. Board members asked why enrollment is lower than capacity; Miller and staff explained that students often shift into other CTE programs (plumbing, electrical, criminal justice) as they learn about options, and that cabinetmaking typically picks up students in 10th and 11th grade as they explore shop options.

Facilities and equipment: Miller discussed a broken dust collector and use of portable units while parts are awaited; he said the district is working with facilities staff (Mr. Smith) on a dust‑collection plan and expects repairs in the coming week. The program has added a CNC router through a grant and is awaiting final electrical work. Trustees recommended more color photographs for public displays and discussed campus projects and potential grants or donations that helped build a shaded seating piece for a neighboring school.

Ending: Trustees thanked the staff and encouraged public tours of the shop; administrators said they will post pictures on social media and continue to pursue industry partnerships and equipment upgrades.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","SVAHS Board of Trustees | April 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees heard a school spotlight presentation on the cabinetmaking program, where instructors described shop projects, student safety training, co‑op placements and efforts to broaden participation; trustees praised the program’s state recognition and discussed capacity, enrollment patterns and dust‑collection upgrades.","taxTitle","Northampton City, Hampshire County, Massachusetts","taxId",68541,"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},6236040,"Trustees narrow student directory information in updated policy to protect student demographics",246,2063000,2309000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3390898-d745d674db05ea97991e98aa676a9a24&start=2063&end=2309","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3390898-d745d674db05ea97991e98aa676a9a24/thumbnail_2063000.jpg","/articles/6236040/Massachusetts/Trustees-narrow-student-directory-information-in-updated-policy-to-protect-student-demographics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236040-df7eaf688092d6a6557bbe8d6e8e5826/orig.mp4?Expires=1770563970&Signature=MZPVYMYPvBUsodKZNfEJv5S6zXLUlNYtjKfSP4DPqAcOTIJIcEVAftnPyiI6m1HMPPgC0MwAnjhInV5rp2oY23xNFGchD-FhIxq3wAcxAe9PVnVr-GrEVIHiZL2gnAx5q1Zl9Wo8elSyqu2F9lATZKAd82yQPgNNjcf~aokKaYszpqw1A31NzU-UBC7IGTbPU1fOOAvv6537Ozc~X7Ev8vY6EvhzqKn4ZfaeKu9quXfV2avJj~x7q9p49dxP2TiYqIw73CiBS-wFkJ88oDflsfbjNC0ZkUX0~mfThJ7tqDAn1fDNmDztFqi4c-FSdTU9~HQ4BJQjJHEYLl1r8NbE1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School Board of Trustees approved changes to the student directory policy that remove much demographic identifying information and limit the standard directory to a student’s name, grade and expected graduation year.

The nut graf: The administration and the policy subcommittee recommended the revisions following guidance from legal counsel and statewide practice; trustees approved deleting language that previously listed more demographic details while adding an explicit exception to allow limited information to be shared for athletics, clubs, senior activities and similar events.

Policy details: The proposed update removes extensive demographic fields from the default directory and replaces them with a concise listing: student name, grade and graduating year. The policy adds a paragraph to make clear that limited additional information (for example, shop/athletic affiliation, program, or recognition during a senior event) may be shared during team rosters, program booklets and senior‑event announcements.

Process and rationale: The presenter said the change follows legal counsel recommendations and a review of other districts’ policies; the red text in the packet marked language proposed for deletion and blue text marked recommended additions. The goal, staff said, was to scale back routine public disclosures while preserving the ability to share pertinent information in the context of athletics and public ceremonies.

Vote and next steps: Trustees voted to approve the revised language and the policy will be folded into the student handbook distributed to families. The board will receive the revised handbook when published in the fall and staff will apply the new directory standard for athletic rosters, senior events and related communications.

Ending: The policy aims to protect student demographic data while preserving customary acknowledgements at public school events.","The Smith Vocational Board approved an updated student directory policy that narrows what the school shares publicly to reduce demographic identifiers, while adding a specific paragraph to permit limited directory information for athletics, clubs and senior activities.",{"_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},6236045,"Trustees vote to oppose DESE vocational admissions regulations released for public comment",156,2558000,2714000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3390898-d745d674db05ea97991e98aa676a9a24&start=2558&end=2714","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3390898-d745d674db05ea97991e98aa676a9a24/thumbnail_2558000.jpg","/articles/6236045/Massachusetts/Trustees-vote-to-oppose-DESE-vocational-admissions-regulations-released-for-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236045-f2e5d60f14cbe380bfc415eeae542fbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770563971&Signature=du03YWmAFyouGQ8MKYWkbfZ5Ari~1OQvwOjoLvSItEb4xBN2~kwDOuxuqYQuwbV7nNCX0QlzkkCtzxHS~rDxjJF9Te-WR~kwAhLLFabnjl49-K7XnI0NtPub-6KIcnra7dxkdhLKdnvzLIrC4k~0Y40S7Hu~QRhgeD8SOFsqL6YKccrfokSL-VGlCLcLj6Y4FddaazjngrQgK9Zt~TA5kpEyOL2HuGfp8g9w7ojVKQ9j5ys7zgiMtxo0Ckg6OWvCsmw84fkQ8E~pZDqcCy9w7nP4nTgeM1kg~BoRSI-dmOW1ZPo50rXLo5GuGRD7QheZO8e3DsY36SqUNtXC3G3fCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School Board of Trustees voted to oppose the vocational admissions regulations as drafted by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education after a motion and discussion during the April meeting.

The nut graf: Trustees said they were not opposed to the concept of using a lottery in admissions but objected to the proposed regulation language and the parameters DESE set for lottery use in vocational admissions. The board asked staff to draft a written statement of opposition to send back to the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) and to the party that requested the board’s input.

Discussion and vote: A trustee with experience on the Vocational Technical Education Advisory Council recommended the board take a position opposing the draft regulations that had been issued for public comment. That speaker said a lottery could be a legitimate tool to address discrimination in admissions but that the regulatory parameters raised concerns. After a motion to oppose the regulations as presented, the board voted in favor by voice vote.

Action requested: The board asked staff (Caitlin) to draft and transmit a statement of the board’s vote to Charlie Ellis of MASC (Division 8) and to make the text available to other interested parties.

Ending: The board’s recorded action will be provided to MASC and to policy contacts involved in the DESE rulemaking process, per the trustees’ request.","The Smith Vocational Board voted to oppose vocational admissions regulations put forward for public comment by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), saying they objected to the draft regulation language though not necessarily to the concept of a lottery as an admissions tool.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6236049,"Smith Vocational trustees approve $14.66 million FY26 budget, warn of continued capital and transportation pressures",4377,2763000,7140000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3390898-d745d674db05ea97991e98aa676a9a24&start=2763&end=7140","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3390898-d745d674db05ea97991e98aa676a9a24/thumbnail_2763000.jpg","/articles/6236049/Massachusetts/Smith-Vocational-trustees-approve-1466-million-FY26-budget-warn-of-continued-capital-and-transportation-pressures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236049-e84c8105e9f6753d1adcf963ebd727a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770563971&Signature=jFM5FsRxdcOL7jWZf83DUL2P67T-P3BTNSMDNkouP3CQMVTir~y2ASWQ7OdiGLXqD149E9eiXygaGqrRATRSwjGv1wZ-D5l1fNsta~vouoeHr6XQHRV~-i1Yyt7yTsz3n7zwwPD99AKMCrFCCrl653OUXcLu8hw6V2ADAQPIbGFVbjZa3Vj4-XtKcTpWT8vD3aKH6SeFfDJGw7PgroCq0OT8o5l18SGc9fySKDkDrgBYG1iii1ubg51E2NO8zxa605lynyJoPiYqUeS9BrxIxW4OCRr8LfyIr-yAQhnxer7T6MbycpyyThEbzd04vmGMifWA-ntOLaIcU7dMd6qalg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School Board of Trustees approved a $14,661,334 fiscal 2026 operating budget after a presentation by Superintendent Dr. Lincoln, who described a 4.59% overall budget increase and key funding pressures.

Dr. Lincoln told trustees the district is nearing 600 students and expects at most a small increase (about seven students overall and two additional nonresident students in the projection). He said the proposed budget assumes a 4.06% increase in the nonresident tuition rate and uses existing grant and revolving funds to cover several one-time costs. \"The overall budget increase is 4.59%,\" Dr. Lincoln said during the presentation.

The nut graf: The vote puts the district on track to submit an approved balanced budget to the City of Northampton, but administrators warned trustees the district remains dependent on a tuition-revolving account, contingency funds and unresolved labor negotiations; those factors could force line-item transfers or additional requests later in the fiscal year.

Most-important details: The budget document lists total revenues and expenditures at $14,661,334. Chapter 70 state aid is projected to rise only slightly (just over 2%), while the district said Northampton’s required net school spending is rising roughly 12%, forcing greater municipal support. The administration identified a tuition-revolving account balance used for construction and transportation; Dr. Lincoln cited a tuition-revolving draw of about $170,004.13 earmarked to cover transportation costs. He also said the district will likely need up to about $600,000 from tuition-revolving funds to reconcile construction invoices related to recent capital projects once work is complete.

Administrators reviewed several capital and program items: the horticulture building rebuild remains open with about $113,000 in contingency funds left; the companion animal building ultimately cost more than originally budgeted (Dr. Lincoln said it exceeded the initial $600,000 estimate and approached or exceeded $1 million once complete). Dr. Lincoln said the district had shifted costs among internal funding sources and grants during the rebuilds and now expects to request reconciliation transfers when construction closes out.

Trustees and staff discussed personnel and operations. The budget includes increases in several line items that reflect known commitments: maintenance and heating costs, instructional software and athletics (including an athletic director/co‑op coordinator whose higher salary was budgeted for FY26). The administration recommended restoring an \"extraordinary maintenance\" line to earlier funding levels (roughly $126,000) after reducing it in recent years.

Dr. Lincoln also flagged operational issues that intersect with the budget: the workload tied to Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System (MTRS) reporting that business staff (Ms. Fairman) currently perform for both Smith and Northampton public schools, and the farm/maintenance workload concentrated in a single facilities director/farm manager role. He said the position is too large for one person and that the administration will seek an interim staffing solution and, eventually, a permanent split of responsibilities when retirement makes it feasible.

The board heard that several line items could be affected by upcoming contract negotiations with Unit D; the administration said it had budgeted conservatively for salary settlements and would use line-item transfers if final settlements require adjustments. Dr. Lincoln said the administration felt comfortable with the percentage included in the proposed budget but acknowledged the final settlement could require internal reallocations.

Less critical details and next steps: Trustees voted to adopt the FY26 budget. The administration will submit the approved budget to the city and monitor labor negotiations and grant announcements; any required post‑adoption transfers or requests for additional funds will return to the board. The superintendent signaled he may ask the board to consider limited transfers prior to July 1 to address farm operations support.

Ending: With the board’s approval, the administration will finalize submissions to Northampton and proceed with capital close‑out work and continued monitoring of transportation and tuition-revolving balances.","The Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School Board of Trustees approved a $14,661,334 fiscal 2026 budget after a detailed presentation that highlighted enrollment plateaus, a modest rise in nonresident tuition, capital projects still to finish and reliance on tuition-revolving funds for transportation and construction costs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Smith Vocational spotlights cabinetmaking shop; trustees praise student work and enrollment outreach

Trustees narrow student directory information in updated policy to protect student demographics

Trustees vote to oppose DESE vocational admissions regulations released for public comment

Smith Vocational trustees approve $14.66 million FY26 budget, warn of continued capital and transportation pressures