Greater New Bedford VocTech reports progress on strategic plan and launches pilots for MTSS, scheduling and inclusive instruction

Superintendent Michael Watson on Tuesday updated the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School District Committee on midyear progress toward the district's 2024–25 strategic plan, outlining work on exploratory programs, a phased multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS), and new professional-development and scheduling pilots.

Watson said the district has formed an eight-member team of exploratory teachers working to update rubrics and exploratory binders and that final guidance from the career and technical education director is expected in early May. "We are starting to look at new exploratory binders as well as a way to try to get kids access to all of the exploratory programs," Watson said.

The superintendent told the committee the exploratory changes are a scheduling challenge and will not be implemented in the fall. He described the current work as a "mid second half of the year update" and said the goal for 2024–25 is to redesign how exploratory learning is structured so students can sample programs more equitably.

Nut graf: The presentation outlined concrete next steps and pilot programs that affect classroom practice, scheduling and student supports — including districtwide training on accommodations, a phased MTSS rollout next year and a pilot of an in-school scheduling block supported by the MyFlex app to expand access to tutoring and make-up time.

Watson said the district will deliver accommodation matrices and training to educators by the May 2 professional-development half day; he reported all 212 district teachers and many assistants are expected to have completed an initial training by early May. "This is an initial training program, but all of the district's 212 teachers, and many teachers and assistants will be trained in this initiative by the end by the May, which is a great accomplishment," he said.

Watson described the MTSS work as near completion for initial design and said full implementation will begin next school year. The district plans a scheduling redesign for the 2026–27 year that would create a period in the middle of the day to deliver tiered supports. The superintendent said that scheduling change also is reflected in his FY26 budget proposal before the committee.

Principal Wally Williams expanded on program-level activity and student work tied to the strategic plan, highlighting partnerships and applied projects across CTE academies. Williams described student-built construction projects, energy-efficiency upgrades led by the electrical program, awards for students in plumbing and HVAC, and Mass CTE recognition for student work. "Our folks do some awesome work," Williams said, listing community projects and student recognitions that he said demonstrate the connection between the strategic-plan objectives and classroom practice.

Watson also described plans for a districtwide teacher-learning-walk protocol and a pilot implementation for next school year, and said the parent-advisory and superintendent-student advisory committees will be integrated to strengthen family and student voice. The district is planning a Freshman Parent Night for September 2025 to supplement orientation. The superintendent acknowledged challenges with transportation and equity for after-school supports and identified the MyFlex scheduling app as the pilot technology to let students sign up for targeted academic help.

Ending: Watson said he will revisit the strategic-plan goals at the committee's June meeting and provide follow-ups in May. Several committee members thanked staff for the update and the district indicated written status materials were included in the meeting packet.