Dr. Harrison’s appointment as principal is set to take effect on July 1st. Superintendent John J. Cabral introduced Dr. Harrison, citing his extensive experience and innovative approach to education. The superintendent expressed that Dr. Harrison’s leadership would be beneficial for Taunton High School.

In addition to welcoming new leadership, the School Committee’s meeting revealed substantial progress on the much-anticipated renovations to the school’s sports facilities. Of particular note was the update on the softball field project. The committee celebrated the four-time state champion softball team, acknowledging the coach and student athletes. The project plans for the softball field, presented by a lead architect, were comprehensive. The proposed renovations include a mix of clay and synthetic turf, a warning track, and a new scoreboard with a dome top. Further enhancements consist of athletic lighting equipped with camera vision, a 40-foot tall flag pole, batting tunnels, a bullpen, concrete walkways, bleachers, and a proposed press box area. Accessibility features compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are also part of the design.

The project was reported to be ahead of schedule and under budget, which is significant given the scale of the proposed enhancements. The timeline for conservation approval and the bidding process were outlined.

Discussion on the renovation and construction of sports facilities extended beyond the softball field. Plans for the construction of larger dugouts and portable bleachers for both baseball and softball fields were reviewed. The decision to opt for portable bleachers was strategic, aimed at avoiding the need for additional facilities, such as restrooms, which would have considerably raised the project’s cost. The committee also addressed the lighting plan for the athletic field and acknowledged the need for a conservation review because of the proximity of the project site to a riverfront area.

A question about the dimensions of the softball field arose, leading to a clarification that the dimensions would remain unchanged. Additionally, the committee briefly considered the possibility of including new uniforms for the state championship-winning teams in the project’s bid, linking the aesthetic and functional aspects of the teams’ representation.

The meeting also touched on administrative matters, including the staffing report and a quarterly report from Reed’s Collaborative. The finance and law subcommittee presented updates on student activity requests, legal services, and the status of bills payable for the fiscal year. Furthermore, the committee completed the East Taunton Elementary School naming process, thereby removing it from the list of active items.