Principal reports enrollment dip, staff changes and summer professional development

School leadership reported current enrollment of 586 students, described several personnel changes and highlighted summer professional development activities. The principal said the senior class stands at 142, juniors and sophomores at 149 each, and freshmen at 146 with a wait list that may raise the freshman count before school begins.

"Our current enrollment, we're at 586," the principal told trustees, noting some seniors moved out of district and a few students returned to home districts. The school said it budgeted 455 tuition placements and is currently at 456 paid tuitions, placing the year close to budgeted expectations.

Personnel updates included the retirement of cabinet‑making instructor Tom Sipple, hired a day after the meeting for Sipple's replacement but pending final paperwork. The school reported a finalist for Ag Mechanics and an open posting for an electrical instructor after one staff member indicated they could not return this school year.

The principal highlighted summer professional development: multiple staff attended the Connecting for Success Conference and several were presenters. The keynote speaker described at the conference was Captain Barrington Urban, noted for mentoring and hands‑on student competitions. The school also sent staff to the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA) and the state superintendent’s conference; a number of staff attended sessions on use of artificial intelligence in instruction.

Trustees asked for clarification about why some seniors left the district; the principal said families moved out of the service area. The board discussed recruitment and the strength of the ninth‑grade cohort in certain sending towns. The principal also thanked staff who led sessions and an employee who is stepping down from central office; administrators said the vacancy has been posted and will be filled ahead of the school year.