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Sugar Shack reports stabilizing sales and vocational gains; committee accepts $70,000 earmark and authorizes vehicle purchase
Summary
Borough program leaders reported stronger operations at the Sugar Shack, new partnerships, and steady sales averaging roughly $114,000 annually. The committee accepted a $70,000 state earmark and authorized purchase of a 2026 Dodge Ram ProMaster to improve transportation and accessibility for students.
Leaders of the borough vocational program told the Westborough School Committee that 2025 was a year of "evolution" for the program as it settled into renovated lower-level space and expanded production capacity at the Sugar Shack.
"2025 really stands out as a period of evolution for us," said Erin LaPrade, who presented the annual report. She told the committee the program has built "more intentional processes, procedures, and routines that better support student learning while also strengthening our operational efficiency." Erin said long-standing external partnerships — including Best Buddies and a growing corporate gifting relationship with AIS Furniture — have helped sales and student transition into community placements.
Kristen Datta Walls, introduced in the presentation as the manager of the Sugar Shack, described operational improvements tied to a new Square point-of-sale and e-commerce platform: "The system has allowed us... it's so much easier for our students to be able to do that whole task on their own." The presenters said the Sugar Shack averages about $114,000 in annual sales and was tracking about $10,000 ahead for the current fiscal year at the time of the presentation. Erin said the program currently has six students enrolled, down from nine at the year's start because of two age-outs and one move out of district.
Erin also told the committee the borough program received a $70,000 earmark from the Executive Office of Education for capital expenses to supplement the program's minivan and to position the program for future students who may have mobility challenges. The district obtained three quotes and recommended purchasing a 2026 Dodge Ram ProMaster at a total cost of $76,389; any cost exceeding the earmark would be absorbed by the borough revolving account. Committee members asked about zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) policy implications and were told vendors did not currently offer an EV with the required accessibility configurations.
The committee moved to accept the earmark and authorize purchasing the Dodge ProMaster; after questions about staffing, maintenance and prioritization, the motion passed by voice vote (recorded as 5–0–0). Erin said the vehicle would improve scheduling flexibility and reduce the borough program’s need to borrow the high school athletic bus.
The presentation also covered programming initiatives including a new parent transition program and plans to expand fundraising partnerships and digital marketing to increase tuition-based enrollments from other districts.
The committee thanked program staff and asked administration to include follow-up details about longer-term vehicle replacement plans and the interplay between earmark restrictions and district vehicle use policies.
