Putnam Vocational Programs report growth, donor funding and employer placements

Putnam Vocational Technical High School reported sustained program growth, new private funding and an expanded roster of employer placements during a presentation to the Springfield School Committee.

School and district leaders said all 23 Putnam shops are now certified under Chapter 74 vocational standards, and they noted recent private grants and donated equipment that school officials said total more than $825,000.

The school’s vocational director, Tom Lamondia, told the committee, “All 23 shops at Putnam are now Chapter 74 certified.” Principal George Johnson and others credited the funding for new equipment, two 12‑passenger vans and a new turf field that they said will support student placements and hands‑on learning.

Why it matters: Chapter 74 certification ties school shops to state vocational program standards and enables certification and credentialing pathways for students. Putnam officials said the upgrades and employer connections increase students’ chances of post‑secondary employment and credentials in skilled trades.

Details and outcomes: Co‑op coordinator Inspector Santos reported roughly 102 students in paid co‑op placements and 29 students in internships at the time of the meeting, and said “131 students total at this point” were placed in work‑based learning across Putnam programs. Santos listed multiple local partners, including the carpenters’ local, Commodore Builders, Walsh Brothers, PDC, the Latino Economic Development Corporation, Springfield DPW and Penske; he said some students were hired directly from placements and a small number have joined unions.

School leaders also highlighted student recognition and competitive results: Lamondia noted that a Putnam student, Andy Lee, was among seven vocational students in the state nominated for the Presidential Scholar Award; other students qualified for SkillsUSA national competitions and state awards.

Program statistics presented by school staff included a roughly 1,370–1,380 student enrollment range, an annual attendance rate the school cited at about 93 percent, a recent graduation‑rate trend that Putnam described as consistently high (previous multi‑year figures mentioned in the presentation), and a prior‑year dropout rate around 0.9 percent.

School committee members asked about employer partnerships, transportation and how to direct students on the Putnam wait list toward other CTE options; staff said they are working with the district to increase awareness of alternative CTE sites.

Ending: Putnam leaders said they will continue to expand employer partnerships and to use private support for equipment and transport. They asked the committee to help publicize available student services and business partnerships so more community members and employers can connect with the school’s programs.