Weighted Lottery System to Revolutionize Admission Process at Greater New Bedford Regional Technical School
- Meeting Overview:
The Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School District Committee convened on June 10, 2025, to discuss developments, including the election of new officers, strategic updates, and a transformative weighted lottery system for admissions. The meeting, held at the student forum on Ashley Boulevard, Bedford, Massachusetts, saw Superintendent Michael Watson highlighting plans for the upcoming academic year.
07:16Foremost on the agenda was the introduction of a weighted lottery system for admissions, a shift from traditional methods. This system was adopted following a vote by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Superintendent Watson explained that this model aims to ensure a more equitable admissions process for the regional vocational technical schools. The weighted lottery will consider factors such as attendance and discipline records, allowing these criteria to influence the number of entries an applicant receives in the lottery. The superintendent mentioned that a blind lottery option might also be considered.
14:35The superintendent expressed appreciation for the collaboration among the towns of Dartmouth, New Bedford, and Fair Haven in providing crucial student data. This data will assist in planning support for incoming students. Superintendent Watson plans to extend his gratitude to the respective school committees during his forthcoming visits.
00:06The meeting also saw the election of new officers, with Miss Carol Pmental elected as chairwoman and Mr. Michael Shea as vice-chair. The newly elected chairwoman expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve, acknowledging the challenges faced by the board over the past year. Superintendent Watson was appointed as the secretary of the regional school without opposition.
03:32Updates on the school’s strategic plan were provided by Superintendent Watson, emphasizing the revamp of the exploratory model for Chapter 74 programs to enhance student access to career and technical education (CTE) programs. The superintendent reported significant achievements in curriculum redesign, educator accommodations training, and the establishment of a teacher learning walk model. These initiatives are in line with the strategic plan for the 2025-2026 school year, focusing on inclusive instructional practices, tiered student support services, and strengthening partnerships with families and the community.
16:13Principal Williams presented updates from various departments, highlighting achievements and ongoing projects. The math department made strides in closing learning gaps using a tool called Il platform, which led students to answer 1.5 million questions, achieving proficiency in nearly 75,000 skills. Additionally, senior statistics students developed probability games incorporating global cultural elements to enhance peer learning.
In the science department, biology teacher Joyce Southworth was nominated for the Mass CTE New Teacher Award for her dedication and leadership across district committees. The engineering and robotics program received a $68,000 grant from the Cuddy Hunk Wind Collaborative, which will enable students to conduct underwater inspections and lead wind energy tours on the island.
Notable achievements in the architectural and mechanical design program included student James Anster winning a gold medal in architectural drafting at the Skills USA state competition, qualifying him for nationals in Atlanta. Students Astred Lopes, Aiden Cardoozo, and Destiny Bellow earned silver medals in engineering technology at Skills USA.
The security department reported the success of eight Saturday detention sessions as a pilot program, aimed at promoting student growth rather than traditional suspensions. These sessions will continue into the next school year, complemented by staff training in verbal and physical de-escalation techniques.
21:54Superintendent Watson also shared updates on parent communications, with recent survey results from the “possumup” initiative, which collects bi-weekly feedback from families. He addressed old business regarding a vacation day carryover policy related to COVID leave, proposing an extension of the policy deadline from June 30, 2025, to October 1, 2025, for specific staff members. This motion passed without opposition.
28:40In new business, Bruce Olivera was nominated to continue as treasurer, and Paul Kiten as assistant treasurer, with both appointments approved unanimously. The evaluation of Superintendent Watson was presented, with members rating his instructional leadership and management as proficient or exemplary. Confidence in his capabilities was expressed, emphasizing his genuine concern for the school and its students.
38:17The committee proceeded to the first reading for the adoption of the 2025-26 student handbook. Corrections were noted, with plans to finalize and make the handbook available online by August. A contract between the district and the Teamsters Union Local Number 59 was ratified.
43:21Post-employment healthcare policies were discussed, with Superintendent Watson distributing materials for preliminary consideration. Proposed changes would affect future employees hired after July 1, 2025, focusing on cost management and potential enrollment requirements for health insurance prior to retirement.
Michael Watson
School Board Officials:
Michael Shea, Cynthia Marland, Randall C. Durrigan, Wayne Oliveira, Rita M. Ribeiro, Frederick J. Toomey, Patrick Walsh (Atty.)
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
06/10/2025
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Recording Published:
06/10/2025
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Duration:
51 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
Massachusetts
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County:
Bristol County
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Towns:
Dartmouth, Fairhaven, New Bedford
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