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Select Board approves 5-year Anna Maria College MOU to expand local dual-enrollment and workforce pathways
Summary
The Select Board voted to authorize the chair to sign a five-year memorandum of understanding with Anna Maria College to expand dual-enrollment opportunities and workforce training (health care, public safety, EMT/paramedic pathways) for Northborough residents; the college said participation is at no cost to the town for baseline programs.
The Northborough Select Board on Nov. 17 approved a five-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Anna Maria College to establish a municipal partnership to expand educational and workforce pathways for town residents and local high-school students. Sean Ryan, president of Anna Maria College, and Jim Bidwell, dean, described models for dual enrollment, certificate pathways and targeted training in public safety, nursing, emergency medical services and social work.
College officials said the partnership will offer resident rebate options of roughly $500 to $1,000 per semester for certain programs, but stressed that the base program does not obligate the town to pay tuition: “This partnership is independent upon us… It’s basically giving the town, the schools, direct access to education,” a college presenter said. The board confirmed the MOU will be revised to list Algonquin (the regional high school) rather than "Northborough High School" in the contract language.
During questions, board members asked whether any costs would be borne by the town, who would serve as the town contact and how dual enrollment interacts with state per-pupil aid. Anna Maria representatives and town staff said individuals would pay tuition unless separate reimbursement agreements were negotiated; the college said it can serve as the point of contact and will coordinate department-head meetings.
Select Board member Jacob moved to approve the memorandum of understanding between the Town of Northborough and Anna Maria College as amended (to reflect Algonquin), and to authorize the chair to sign; the motion passed on a roll-call vote. The MOU is for five years and staff said they will report back on program uptake and performance.
