Greater New Bedford committee directs superintendent to seek part-time aviation consultant

The Greater New Bedford Regional High School District Committee voted on May 12 to direct Superintendent Watson to draft a scope of services and begin searching for a part-time aviation consultant to assess feasibility and options for an aviation/mechanic program.

A committee member moved that the superintendent "draft a scope of service for a part time aviation consultant" and begin identifying candidates, hours and cost estimates so the committee would have information for its June meeting; another committee member seconded the motion. The motion passed by voice vote.

Members cited long-standing uncertainties about space, curriculum and FAA requirements as reasons to seek outside expertise. One committee member said the body lacked the technical background to judge program needs and urged engaging a practitioner or consultant to ‘‘answer some of the unknown questions’’ and present alternatives, including off-site training at the nearby airport.

Superintendent Watson said funds had been earmarked during the budget presentation to support consultant work and that an amount of about $60,000 would be rechecked. He told the committee he would circulate the correspondence and questions sent to Westfield Tech and Greater Lawrence Tech and would prepare materials for the June meeting.

The committee instructed the superintendent to return with a draft scope and potential candidate list at the next meeting so members could consider whether and how to hire a consultant over the summer.

Next steps: the superintendent will prepare the scope of services and candidate information for the June school committee meeting.