New Minuteman Campus Offers Promise for the Region

New Minuteman Campus Offers Promise for the Region

An Op-Ed by Jeffrey Stulin, Ford Spalding and Christopher Bateman

April 26, 2016

Anyone who doubts the Commonwealth’s commitment to vocational, technical, and agricultural education should look closely at the Baker Administration’s $85 million proposal to fund capital projects, expand programming, and provide financial incentives for vocational-technical schools and community colleges to cooperate. Industry leaders across the state are working with these innovative high schools and community colleges to align curriculum and offer practical learning experiences to help the future workforce.

At the forefront of these efforts to improve vocational-technical education in Massachusetts is Minuteman High School in Lexington. Minuteman is on the verge of funding and building a long overdue new campus. A new school lies at the heart of the school’s mission to provide 21st century vocational and technical education – with pathways to higher learning, entry into the workforce, and career advancement.

Minuteman is proposing a smaller, high-tech school with 16 career and technical education programs grouped into two Career Academies. The campus is designed to better serve students, the businesses that will ultimately employ them, and the taxpayers that support the school. What is proposed at Minuteman is a robust educational model that focuses both on student educational goals and local workforce needs.

In order to fully utilize its new campus, Minuteman is exploring collaborations with state colleges and universities, including the University of Massachusetts Stockbridge. These discussions could result in Early College or Dual Enrollment programs where high school students earn college-level credits or programs where Minuteman High School students earning college degrees. Another possibility is the creation of an Agricultural Academy. All of these innovations – and more – are possible with a new campus.

The outcome of the debate over construction of a Minuteman High School is critical for both the students served by the district and by business seeking qualified and enthusiastic employees. Fortunately, the District now appears headed toward a successful outcome, including a series of town approvals authorizing the capital financing of the project.

The new Minuteman campus will have a positive impact from several perspectives: creation of new jobs, development of a sustainable workforce, and creation of an educated, diverse, and talented pool of workers. Minuteman’s success is our success and it will help ensure the region’s educational and economic vitality.

Jeffrey Stulin of Needham is Chair of the Minuteman School Committee, Ford Spalding of Dover is Chair of the Minuteman School Building Committee, and Christopher Bateman of Lexx Restaurant in Lexington is President of the Minuteman Futures Foundation, Inc., a private, non-profit organization established to support Minuteman High School.