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School committee approves calendar tweaks, vendor contracts and routine finance items
Summary
The Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School Committee voted to adopt three academic testing days for seniors and sophomores, approved a five‑year graduation contract with Lowell Memorial Auditorium (2026–2030), authorized two prior‑year invoice payments, several budget transfers, and approved revolving and student activity accounts.
The Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School Committee approved several formal actions during its meeting, including a limited calendar change for MCAST testing dates, a multi‑year graduation venue contract, and routine finance items.
The committee voted to adopt an academic schedule on March 24–26 and May 19–21 for seniors and sophomores so MCAST testing could be administered without reducing instructional time in students’ shop weeks. Principal Paul explained the change was limited to those specified dates; committee members asked staff to publish the updated calendar on the district website and to confirm there were no conflicts with co‑op placements before widely distributing it.
The committee approved a five‑year contract with the Lowell Memorial Auditorium (LMA) for graduations covering 2026–2030 after Diane Dempsey presented a cost comparison. Dempsey said an on‑campus graduation for FY25 would cost about $27,000 when factoring necessary rentals (stage/tent), AV, security and portable restroom needs; a multi‑year LMA contract was estimated at roughly $7,800 for FY25. Members expressed support for continuing parking validation for families but asked staff to confirm the final costs before committing funds.
On finance items the committee authorized payment of two prior‑year invoices (a $4,700 school physician invoice and a $300 Codman Community Farms field‑trip charge), approved budget transfers to cover building and cybersecurity insurance and capital plan needs, and ratified the list of revolving funds and student activity accounts (including a new Class of 2028 account). Each of those motions was presented by business office staff and recommended by the finance committee.
The meeting closed its open session by moving into an executive session to discuss litigation strategy in George Clement v. Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School; the committee did not plan to return to open session that evening.
Votes at a glance: all motions noted above were approved by roll call.
