MAVA Colleagues,
We are excited to share this piece from “The Tewksbury Town Crier” concerning a recent School Committee meeting. Included was a report concerning cooperative Education. Members learned that 200 members of the Class of 2026 participated in cooperative education placements, collectively working more than 100,000 hours and earning over $1.6 million during their time in the program!!!
David
Shawsheen highlights student success, attendance gains at recent School Committee meeting
<![if !supportLists]>· <![endif]>By Paige Impink News Correspondent
BILLERICA — Members of the Shawsheen Valley Technical High School Committee received updates on student achievements, multilingual learner programs, attendance improvements, enrollment, and budget matters during their May 26 meeting.
The meeting opened with the Tech’s student representative highlighting several recent accomplishments and activities. Shawsheen students earned four gold, seven silver and five bronze medals at the SkillsUSA Massachusetts State Conference.
Also recognized was a student-led community cleanup effort on May 5 that collected nearly 40 bags of trash from around the school grounds.
A major portion of the meeting focused on a presentation by Multilingual Learner Coordinator Anastasia Campbell, who outlined the school’s efforts to support students whose first language is not English.
Campbell reported that Shawsheen currently serves 133 students enrolled in English learner programs and noted that multilingual learners nationally experience significantly higher dropout rates than the general student population. She said Shawsheen has maintained a 100 percent graduation rate among its multilingual learner population.
Campbell described a range of initiatives designed to support student success, including mentorship programs, cultural awareness activities, multilingual student associations, and academic monitoring systems. She explained that students who exit English language development programs continue to be monitored for four years to ensure they remain academically successful.
Among the initiatives highlighted were the school’s Multicultural Student Association, annual Culture Fair, Freedom Trail field trips, and a Seal of Biliteracy program. Campbell said nine students are expected to graduate this year with a Seal of Biliteracy or Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction, recognizing proficiency in multiple languages.
Committee members also discussed challenges facing multilingual students amid ongoing public discussions regarding immigration and deportation policies. Campbell said students have relied heavily on peer support networks and praised staff and students for creating a welcoming environment.
The committee later heard an update regarding chronic absenteeism. Superintendent Tony McIntosh reported that the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recently recognized Shawsheen as one of 55 districts statewide that reduced chronic absenteeism by at least five percentage points compared to the previous year.
McIntosh credited changes to the school’s attendance policy and intervention programs, including makeup opportunities and support services, for helping improve attendance rates. State officials requested information about the district’s strategies, which may be used as models for other schools.
Enrollment projections for the Class of 2030 were also reviewed. As of the meeting, Shawsheen had enrolled 327 students toward a target of 330 and maintained a waiting list of 105 applicants. McIntosh said the remaining seats are expected to be filled before the start of the school year.
The committee received an update on cooperative education programs, as well. Members learned that 200 members of the Class of 2026 participated in cooperative education placements, collectively working more than 100,000 hours and earning over $1.6 million during their time in the program.
McIntosh also announced that five students will represent Shawsheen Tech and Massachusetts at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference later this summer. The students will compete in graphic communications, industrial motor control, power equipment technology, masonry, and medical terminology.
The superintendent provided an update on the school’s ongoing Massachusetts School Building Authority feasibility study process, reporting that the district has nearly completed all required submissions and may be considered for the authority’s June board meeting.
Committee members also discussed a newly authorized state option allowing vocational schools to provide wait-list preference to applicants who have siblings currently enrolled at the school. McIntosh said the administration is reviewing the potential impacts of the policy and expects to bring the issue back to the committee for discussion at a future meeting.
During budget discussions, committee members reviewed plans to return excess transportation and district funds to member communities and discussed efforts to improve budget forecasting and financial tracking.
Several members emphasized the importance of strengthening financial procedures and ensuring more accurate budgeting practices moving forward. McIntosh conceded that things were still not where he’d like them in terms of closing out audits and clarity on budgets, but that progress was being made.
It was suggested that an additional firm be brought in to review operating procedures and help get the budget process improved.
“We have to be more accurate with our budget to actual numbers,” McIntosh said.
The committee concluded its meeting with ongoing discussions regarding professional development plans, financial oversight, and future planning initiatives.
Chapter 74 Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education
LEARNING THAT WORKS FOR MASSACHUSETTS
David J. Ferreira
MAVA Communications Coordinator
DavidFerreira