Somerville Trust Hears CTE Pitch, Eyes January 2027 Workforce Grant RFP

Other Committee · Meeting of July 16, 2026

Somerville Job Creation and Retention Trust sets January 2027 RFP target and hears CTE funding pitch. The trust, holding an uncommitted balance of just over $2.6 million, approved its June meeting minutes 6-0-1 at the July 16 session chaired by Managing Trustee Annika Van Eaton. Members heard an extended presentation from board members Jim Hashey, director of Somerville High School's Center for Career and Technical Education, and Tom Bett, the program's general advisory chair, covering a program now enrolling roughly 851 students — 66 to 68 percent of the entire high school — across 14 Chapter 74 trade tracks.

Hashey told the board that the absence of a driver's license has become "a huge need" blocking co-op placements, with private driver's education costing $800 to $1,000 per student, and asked the trust to consider subsidizing the cost. The board agreed to announce the forthcoming RFP's funding level at its November annual meeting and finalize the draft at a December session moved earlier in the month, with proposals accepted through April 2027.

In the full story:

• Several adjustments to the work plan were discussed and agreed upon
• What is CTE at Somerville High School
• Program highlights and partnerships
• What the trust can do — driver's ed
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,260 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of July 16, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.