MAVA membership,
We ae excited to share this absolutely phenomenal news from Superintendent Eric Duda, and our colleagues at Pathfinder Tech!! What an enormous step forward for Pathfinder and the students across the district to access high quality Chapter 74 vocational technical education!!
Also is wonderful for the Belchertown community and its taxpayers.
Congratulations to Superintendent Duda and all involved in the development of this fantastic opportunity!!
Have a most enjoyable weekend.
David
Pathfinder Tech Announces Major Expansion with New Campus in Belchertown
Belchertown, MA – Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School District, under the leadership of Superintendent Eric Duda, is proud to announce a major expansion that will add more than 150 new seats for students through the establishment of a second campus in Belchertown. With demand for admission at an all-time high, this initiative represents one of the most significant expansions of career technical education (CTE) opportunities in decades, marking a transformative moment for students, families, and the regional workforce.
Like most CTE schools in the commonwealth, for many years, Pathfinder Tech has faced the challenge of too many applicants for too few available seats for admission across its 15 career and technical programs. Superintendent Eric Duda has been actively exploring solutions to expand capacity, either on the main Palmer campus or at an additional location.
That solution is now in sight. With the announcement that Belchertown Public Schools will close Cold Spring Elementary School in June 2026, a unique opportunity emerged for Pathfinder Tech to expand. After careful consideration, the district has reached an agreement to enter into a long-term lease of the building, which is only about 10 minutes from the main campus, as an extension of the Pathfinder Tech location in Palmer.
The new campus is scheduled to open in September 2026. Renovations and modernization will transform the former elementary school into a state-of-the-art facility for career technical education. Within three years of opening, enrollment is expected to grow by more than 150 students, with expanded seats available for Pathfinder Tech’s nine member towns as well as for non-resident applicants. Growth will also include additional academic space at the main Palmer campus to support the larger student body. In addition, the Belchertown facility will allow for expanded adult continuing education offerings.
“This is a tremendous opportunity not only for Pathfinder Tech but for the entire region,” said Superintendent Duda. “We are ensuring that a former school building remains an active, thriving educational space while giving more students the chance to pursue rewarding career pathways. This expansion is a milestone for career technical education in Western Massachusetts, building on decades of success at Pathfinder Tech and opening new doors for students.”
Pathfinder Tech plans to pursue a variety of funding sources to support the expansion, including the recently announced $100 million CTE Capacity Expansion Grant Initiative from the Healey-Driscoll Administration.
As part of this next chapter, Pathfinder Tech will invite Belchertown residents to help select a name for the new campus through a community survey, ensuring that the school preserves its local roots and maintains a strong connection to the community.
In addition to creating new educational opportunities, the Cold Spring location is expected to generate local job growth and strengthen community partnerships. By continuing to utilize the Cold Spring building for education, Pathfinder Tech is preserving a valuable community asset while addressing the increasing demand for skilled career training.
“This is truly a win-win,” added Duda. “We are expanding opportunities for students, creating jobs, and keeping an important school building in Belchertown alive with purpose. The excitement will only continue to build as we move closer to opening our doors in 2026.”
Chapter 74 Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education
LEARNING THAT WORKS FOR MASSACHUSETTS
David J. Ferreira
MAVA Communications Coordinator
DavidFerreira