By Bob Katzen

Senate 37-0, approved an amendment that would require the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, in consultation with the Department of Agricultural Resources, to conduct a study and make recommendations on the feasibility of establishing additional county agricultural schools in the Bay State. The bill requires that at least four public hearings be held on the matter and that an initial draft of the results be finished by December 31, 2016; and then following another public hearing on the draft, the final version with recommendations must be filed with the House of Representatives by July 1, 2027.

The study would include assessing the statewide and regional demand for agricultural and agricultural technical education; evaluating the workforce needs across agricultural and other related sectors; and identifying potential sites or host districts for new or expanded agricultural schools.

“This is a huge step toward regional equity in education offerings for agricultural school districts across Central Massachusetts,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton). “School districts are spending hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars for out of district school placements. If Central Massachusetts had an agricultural school, we could save tremendous money on transportation costs while still offering competitive agricultural education to students who are interested.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.)

Sen. Patricia Jehlen Yes