HANOVER — After a meeting of the regional agreement subcommittee planned for this week, the South Shore Tech Regional School Committee members should be receiving a semi-formal copy of it ahead of a full review.
The work has been under way for several months, according to Chairman Robert Molla of Norwell at the Wednesday, May 17 meeting. Once the committee approves revisions, the revised agreement can be forwarded to the member towns.
Town Meetings would need to vote on whether Hull is admitted to the region. At this point, Hull is not a factor in the revisions to the regional agreement.
“The Hull negotiations right now are on temporary hold until at least May 23 [when] they are meeting to give us their indications as to which way they’re going to go and whether we are going to continue negotiations,” Molla said.
Superintendent-Director Thomas Hickey said, if Hull agreed to join the region by the time the revisions were complete, two votes would be needed at town meetings — on the regional agreement and Hull’s admission.
“If they don’t happen at the same time, amending the regional agreement would take a two-thirds vote of our towns,” Hickey said. “Timing matters. It could be at the same town meeting.”
Hull would only vote on the terms of admission, not the regional agreement revisions.
“At our most aggressive,” Hickey said, and depending on the Department of Education’s response, the regional agreement revisions could be ready to present to the member communities this summer for consideration of special town meetings in the fall.
The committee also held a brief public hearing on the annual school choice vote. The members, as is customary voted against participating in the state school choice program because the school already has “an established process for admitting students who reside outside the school district.”
The committee voted to set the non-resident tuition rate at $16,719 for fiscal 2018.
In other business, the committee honored veteran automotive instructor, Ronald Michaud — who retires this spring, as staff member of the month.
He joined the SSVT teaching team Jan. 2, 1985.
“All you need to do is drive up Route 53 – the new automile — to find Ronnie’s success as an instructor,” said Assistant Principal Mark Aubrey of the student body’s honoree. “At almost every dealership, you’ll find at least one South Shore graduate and, in many, literally a handful can be found working under cars, in front offices or selling vehicles on the showroom floor.”
Students described him as a shop instructor who cares about his students and who makes learning fun day in and day out and who helps students obtain careers in the trade.
Student Body President Jacob Cormier of Hanover, who served as student representative to the committee this year, was honored as student of the month. A computer technology student, Cormier was selected by his instructors on the basis of his grades and in-class leadership and engagement, according to Assistant Principal Sandra Balmer.
Sophomores Cody Campbell — team bronze medal and additive manufacturing — of Rockland, Ashton Gnoza — team bronze medal — of Abington and sophomore Chris Osborne — silver medalist, welding — of Hanson were recognized for their success at the recent SkillsUSA state competition.