March Updates

Hello SSVT Community,

Are we done with this snow?  March certainly gets us closer to the spring, but with this weather pattern, it is anybody's guess.  We won't let the weather stop us as we have a busy month ahead!

Here are an assortment of updates and upcoming activities

1. FY15 Budget: At its February meeting, the school committee certified a FY15 Budget that reflects a 4.67% increase.

The next step in the budget process will be meeting with town finance committees to discuss the budget and the impact on each town's assessment.  On February 22nd, we met with the Whitman Finance Committee, and on March 6th we met with the Scituate Advisory Committee.  We will be meeting with Abington Finance Committee on March 12th  and Hanson Finance Committee on March 18th.

Despite an increase in our student enrollment, the overall amount of state aid (Chapter 70 aid) was nearly level funded, which puts more of a burden on our local communities.  We continue to appreciate our towns' support of our school mission and support of the students we educate every day.

2. Energy Sharing Arrangement with Town of Scituate.  Thank you to Scituate Special Projects Director Al Bangert and the Town of Scituate for reaching out with an opportunity for SSVT to purchase Scituate's surplus energy from its solar array.  Details are being worked on currently; the savings to SSVT could reach as much as $30,000 which is good for the environment and good for our utilities budget.

3. Joint Ways and Means Committee: On March 3rd, we hosted the state legislature's Joint Ways and Means Committee, who held a public hearing for state agencies advocating for funds for next year's state budget. State Senator Tom Kennedy (who co-chaired the committee and represents Hanover, Hanson and Whitman) was very complimentary of SSVT, its vocational technical mission, and also the condition of the building.

The committee meeting was co-chaired by State Representative Rhonda Nyman who represents Hanover, Norwell and Rockland.  State Representative Geoff Diehl, who represents Abington and Whitman (precincts 2, 3, 4) was also in attendance.

Joint Ways & Means Committee opens meeting in the Lecture Hall

4. Winter Vocational Advisory Committee: On March 5th we hosted the Winter Vocational Advisory Committee meeting for all of our vocational programs.  Advisory committees meet twice per year to discuss budget and curriculum issues with our vocational programs to ensure we remain current with our vocational technology and resources.

Our Culinary Arts students, under the guidance of Instructors Mrs. Monteiro, Mr. McBurney and Mr. Worden, once again provided the attendees with excellent food and service.

Culinary students were recognized by Vocational Director Deborah Collins
at the start of the meeting

5. Skills USA District Competition: Nearly 100 SSVT students participated in the district level Skills USA competition at Greater New Bedford VoTech. It was an impressive display to see all our students cheering on classmates for their awards and accomplishments!  Thank you also to our staff who attended the event.  I think there were more teachers from SSVT in attendance than any other visiting school.

For those students who have not participated in Skills USA, I urge you to get involved and challenge yourself to be part of this great organization.  For more information, contact our SkillsUSA Advisor Mr. Mello or ask any vocational teacher!

6. December Open House: Our friends at Whitman-Hanson Community Access were kind enough to videotape our December Open House.  Thank you to all those who participated and assisted in this great night.  Thank you to Guidance Director Mr. Janicki and Electronics Senior Kim Cordiero for serving as hosts!

7. ELA MCAS: Last, our best wishes to sophomores on their upcoming MCAS English Language Arts test. You are the best prepared students in the Commonwealth, thanks to your ELA teachers and your hard work!

Keep checking our Facebook Page and follow us on Twitter for updates!

Mr. Hickey