SHREWSBURY — The Shrewsbury School Committee on Nov. 6 unanimously voted to sign a memorandum of understanding with Leicester Public Schools, establishing a Career Technical Education (CTE) Partnership with the district that will give Shrewsbury students a long-awaited pathway to vocational-technical education.
The vote follows a presentation by Leicester officials on Oct. 23 that detailed plans to incorporate Shrewsbury students in the town’s existing vocational program located on the former site of Becker College. In 2022, Leicester purchased 19 buildings on 44 acres of the now-shuttered school’s Leicester campus for $17.83 million.
Two vocational pathways are currently running at the campus: “Building and Property Management” — which includes carpentry, electrical, and plumbing — and “Early Education & Care.” Several other pathways are planned or proposed, including “Health Assisting,” “Culinary Arts,” “Electrical,” “Plumbing and HVAC,” and “Veterinary Sciences.”
With the affirmative vote from the School Committee, Leicester’s program becomes Shrewsbury’s “preferred” vocational option. Shrewsbury previously had access to Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Marlborough, but after a state policy changed how students are admitted, the number of Shrewsbury students receiving vocational education has steadily declined; approximately 110 students from Shrewsbury went to vocational programs in 2020, but that number is down to 22 as of Oct. 1.
Potential enrollment projections outlined by Assistant Superintendent Christian Girardi at the Nov. 6 meeting indicated that the Leicester-Shrewsbury partnership could accommodate about 100 total Shrewsbury students — roughly what the town was sending to Assabet prior to the policy change.
Information nights regarding the Leicester program will start as soon as Nov. 13. The School Committee hopes to enroll 15 current ninth-grade students at the Leicester school by the end of January. From that point, the town will see how many eighth-graders are interested in the program for next year.
“For a program that is relatively in its infancy, [Leicester] did such a great job. There is so much potential there … and I think there’s a demand here … These kids are given opportunities and they can walk out of these programs with certifications that won’t only help them down the line, but put them ahead of fellow students. I’m so impressed with it, and I think there’s a lot of opportunity,” said School Committee member Rachel Sharifipour.
The 15 students this year would cost the district approximately $160,000 total, according to Girardi. A potential Career and Technical Education Partnership Grant — expected to be awarded in January — would cover tuition and transportation costs, but the district has identified several areas in the budget that may support the partnership if Shrewsbury does not receive the grant.
This is a developing story. More information will be added at a later time.
More information available here.
