GNBVT School Committee Meeting — September 8, 2026

The Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School District School Committee met on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The committee welcomed new member Rick Avila, who was appointed by the Town of Dartmouth to replace Mike Shea for a four-year term. Student representative Braden provided an update on the start of the school year, noting Senior Sunrise events sponsored by Mirasols, upcoming sports schedules, homecoming plans for October 17th, and changes to split class photos across two dates to accommodate co-op students.

Key actions taken during the meeting included approving an out-of-country travel proposal for the Travel Club to visit Costa Rica in 2028, with conditions requiring legal compliance and written assurances prohibiting personal travel credits or financial incentives under Massachusetts state ethics laws. The committee also appointed a new district treasurer residing in New Bedford and currently working for the Town of Fairhaven, and authorized Superintendent Michael Watson to execute an agreement not to exceed $50,000 with consultant Christopher Chavez to conduct an aviation maintenance technology feasibility and planning study due in June 2027.

Additional routine business included approving the 2026-27 Employee Handbook upon second reading, adopting Policy ACL in compliance with the state's newly enacted PROTECT Act after waiving the first reading, updating the organizational chart, surplus equipment declarations, and out-of-state field trips for automotive and commercial trades instructors to the New England Institute of Technology in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. The committee adjourned to executive session and did not return to open session.

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