PALMER – Students at Pathfinder exceeding expectations and competing on national and world stages was the highlight of discussion at the Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School (PRVTHS) School Committee meeting on April 13.

Students involved in PRVTHS’s FIRST Robotics program are traveling to Houston, TX from April 19-24 to compete in the 2022 FIRST Championship at the George R. Brown Convention Center. As described by the FIRST website, the FIRST Championship is an international event for youth robotics competitors as well as an “annual celebration of science, technology, engineering and math,” as the organization “prepares young people for the future.”

Superintendent Eric Duda explained to the School Committee that of the 16 programs at Pathfinder, eight programs were involved in the project of building the team’s robot. He noted this was a “huge collaborative effort” at the school. As a result of the students’ hard work, the school’s team was awarded the All Star Rookie Championship Award, therefore sending 15 students on the robotics team and two chaperones to Texas for the World Championship. Most of the cost of the trip for students and chaperones is being covered by sponsorships. The School Committee approved the out-of-state travel.

Six students and two chaperones were approved by the School Committee to attend the upcoming Business Professionals of America (BPA) National Leadership Conference in Dallas, TX from May 4-8. Duda noted that these students are actively seeking sponsorship for their trip.

Moving on from trip approvals, Duda shared with the committee that graduation has been set for June 3 at 4 p.m., with two rain dates – June 4 and 5.

The student handbook was approved for the upcoming school year with a few clarifying measures put in place – one of which was in reference to the schools’ “tobacco etc.” policy, and the other regarding wearing hats or head coverings within the school.

The first amendment clarified that marijuana and any substance containing THC is not allowed on school grounds, along with tobacco products.

“We’re just wanting to clarify that marijuana and any substance containing THC be involved in that as well with what we’re seeing with some of the vaping incidents and the vape pods that we’re confiscating,” Auffrey said.
As for the head covering policy – the amendment was made to allow hats to address student wellness issues as well as promote school pride.

Auffrey explained, “Students in their programs have specific program hats; teams have specific hats, and the students are always wanting to wear them just to show that sense of pride. We also have different issues in the building where some students are medically able to wear a hat – their doctors submit a note requiring that we allow them to wear that, and we feel that is somewhat identifying of those students in those medical needs. This would kind of alleviate that for those students.”

There will be a retirement party on May 25 at Tony & Penny’s for six long-term Pathfinder educators. The following educators will be honored:

Greg Southworth, 22 years of service

Kevin Lynch, 33 years of service

Jack O’Donnell, 25 years of service

Schley Warren, 11 years of service

Tom Dyjak, 14 years of service

Al Putnam, 27 years of service

There are also a series of personnel changes coming with the upcoming school year. Brenda Turner, who has worked in the district for numerous years, is moving from director of guidance to the new multi-tiered systems support (MTSS) position. This is a position that, according to Duda, bridges the gap for students between disciplinary and mental health. Marina Latourelle is moving from educational team leader to director of student services, and Amy Skowyra is moving from business instructor to vocational director with the departure of former Vocational Director Ryan Rege. The positions formerly held by Turner, Latourelle and Skowyra will be open as the position changes are made.

Additionally, the district has welcomed a new hire – however the individual is not new to the district. Diana Brown will be returning to Pathfinder as a data specialist. According to Duda, she worked for the district in past years, left on good terms, and is now returning in May. Duda said Brown described her return as “coming back home.”

Finally, Business Manager Gregory Falcone presented a Fiscal Year 2022 budget update, which he said was almost identical to what he presented to the committee three months prior. He did note, however, the district has a $35,000 surplus from the state reimbursing the district for paid time off that they offered to employees for COVID-19-related absences. Duda noted that the state required that they provide Pathfinder staff at least five days off “COVID time,” however the districts stance was to do this before the state required it. When the state began to reimburse districts for these funds spent, Pathfinder received a cumulative $35,000. Duda expressed his thanks to Falcone for being on top of receiving this state funding.

The food services account is experiencing a $60,000 surplus, according to Falcone, which is unusual compared to prior years. He noted that the district has been able to accommodate free lunches for the school year, however next year they may have to revert to paid lunch, so these funds have the potential to be used during the 2022-2023 school year.

Wrapping up the meeting, Chairman Julie Quink expressed interest in putting together a retreat for the School Committee to use for strategizing during the summer.