Friends of Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education,
We are pleased to share this this exciting news from our colleagues at Pathfinder Tech.
Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate “Pathfinder Tech at Cold Spring”, its new campus in Belchertown.
Pathfinder’s students and staff renovated the building over the summer, and the project was funded entirely through a $3.5 million state grant at no cost to Belchertown taxpayers.
We are so excited for our colleagues and for the students who will benefit from this unique expansion.
David
Pathfinder Tech Celebrates Ribbon Cutting at New Cold Spring Campus
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<![endif]>Pathfinder Tech celebrated its new Belchertown campus with a ribbon cutting attended by state and local leaders.
On Friday, September 18th, Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School (Pathfinder Tech) held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate Pathfinder Tech at Cold Spring, its new campus at 57 South Main Street in Belchertown. Pathfinder’s students and staff renovated the building over the summer, and the project was funded entirely through a $3.5 million state grant at no cost to Belchertown taxpayers.
Pathfinder Tech serves nine member communities: Belchertown, Granby, Hardwick, Monson, New Braintree, Oakham, Palmer, Ware, and Warren. More than one hundred Belchertown students attend Pathfinder Tech.
Thanks to the added space at Cold Spring, Pathfinder Tech was able to accept more applicants and did not need a waitlist this year. The school plans to add new programs in the years ahead, and the campus may also offer adult continuing education in the trades. Pathfinder Tech also launched a new Medical Assisting program this year and hopes to receive state approval for it as an official program next year.
Brenda Turner of Pathfinder Tech welcomed guests and introduced Superintendent Eric Duda. State Senator Jacob Oliveira spoke and then presented Superintendent Duda with an official citation from the Massachusetts Senate extending congratulations. Remarks followed from State Representative Aaron Saunders and Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez before the ribbon was cut.
Superintendent Duda thanked the Pathfinder School Committee for its strong support of the project. He spoke about how rewarding the partnership with Belchertown has been, noting that the Town, and Belchertown Public Schools Superintendent Brian Cameron in particular, were a huge support throughout the project.
Belchertown officials in attendance included Fire Chief John Ingram, Police Chief Kevin Pacunas, Belchertown Public Schools Superintendent Brian Cameron, Town Manager Steve Williams, and the full Select Board. Select Board Clerk Jon Ritter is a Pathfinder Tech alumnus. Members of the Pathfinder School Committee also attended, including Belchertown representative Lorraine Alves.
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<![endif]>Many of those present helped make the project possible. The Fire Department and the Town’s permitting and inspection processes supported the work needed to open the building. The Police Department partners with Pathfinder Tech through an agreement for a school resource officer. Town Manager Williams and the Select Board provided support behind the scenes. The event also gave Belchertown officials a chance to connect with leaders from across the region, especially members of the Pathfinder School Committee, strengthening relationships that will support the campus and the Town’s partnership with Pathfinder Tech.
Pathfinder Tech has supported the Town with projects before. Students in its carpentry, plumbing, and electrical programs built the Fire Department’s new living quarters, saving the Town an estimated $1.5 million.
The Town welcomes Pathfinder Tech to this campus, and it is delighted to see the building being used instead of sitting vacant. The Town looks forward to future collaborations with Pathfinder Tech.
Chapter 74 Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education
LEARNING THAT WORKS FOR MASSACHUSETTS
David J. Ferreira
MAVA Communications Coordinator
DavidFerreira