McCann Receives Almost $200,000 in Grant Funds
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — McCann Technical School has received a $195,873 in state Skills Capital Grant funds to purchase new advanced manufacturing equipment.
Superintendent James Brosnan was happy to tell the School Committee on Thursday that he recently visited Salem High School, where Gov. Charlie Baker awarded grant.
"Had a great day today," he said. "This is really exciting we are flying high."
Some $10.9 million was given out to 33 high schools and educational institutions on Wednesday. The grant enables schools to acquire the cutting-edge technologies to educate students and expand programming.
Brosnan said this is the fourth year McCann has received a grant.
"I can say this is our fourth in a row," he said. "I know I can't tell you who else has had that but I don't think it is a big crowd so we are very proud of that and the quality of what we are doing."
The school will use the funds to purchase 40 new engineering workstations, a 3D printer/prototype system and a robotic manufacturing center.
Chairman Gary Rivers thanked Brosnan for the efforts to capture such grant funds and noted without these grants, McCann would never be able to purchase this equipment.
"Without these kinds of grants, we could not fund these types of projects with the budget," he said. "It would be impossible."
In other business, Nicole Bak, Cara Moulton, Briana Hayden and Tim Badu were awarded the Fay Ellen Fosser Memorial Scholarship.
"Listening to the qualities of each one of these students — these are the kinds of people we want taking care of us," Rivers said.
Fosser first enrolled in the McCann licensed practical nursing program and eventually became a registered nurse. She worked throughout Berkshire County, where she quickly gained the reputation of a skilled caring nurse.
She died in 1984 at the age of 29 and her family established a scholarship in her memory given to students pursuing a job in the health-care field.
Brosnan thanked the family for continuing the scholarship.
"You know how we feel. It is a memory and to be able to honor her every year and do to this," he said. "It is a living memory and just is very emotional for all of us."
Toward the beginning of the meeting, the School Committee welcomed new members Timothy Rickert of Williamstown and Melanie Medon of Florida.
"Welcome to the new members and I am sure you are going to enjoy your time with us," Rivers said. "We are a very productive committee."
Tags: McCann, state grant,
