NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — McCann Technical School hopes to have lights installed on the football field for the upcoming season.

 

"Friday night lights," School Committee member William Diamond joked at the committee's meeting Thursday after Superintendent James Brosnan said lights are finally coming to the school's athletic complex.

 

When Williams College renovated Weston Field, it donated the old lights and components to McCann. Brosnan said the project has been in the works some eight years.

 

He said contractor Musco Lighting went through the lighting components and that "everything is still viable and operational. Everything is ready to go."

 

The initial work to install the equipment is slated to cost $223,750, an amount the School Committee voted to allocate that night.

 

Brosnan said he anticipates returning to the school committee to ask for more funds to finish up the project.

 

Member Bruce Shepley noted that the school has been saving for years to accommodate the project.

 

Member Daniel Maloney Jr. agreed and thanked committee members past such as Thomas Mahar, who helped spearhead the project.

 

"It seems like a new project, but this is something the School Committee has been involved in and something we have been encouraging," he said. "We have first-class programming here at McCann and our students deserve to have the same when it comes to facilities."

 

Brosnan thanked Williams College for the donation and said it was an emotional moment to finally be able to light up the field.

 

"We are the only school in Berkshire County who do not have lights on our football field so we can play Friday night," he said. "Our students work on the weekends and their parents work on the weekends so they can't always attend games."

 

In other business, Principal Justin Kratz said early interest shows that McCann can expect an incoming freshmen class of around 150 students.

 

"It is a fantastic testimony to all of the teachers and guidance counselors that make this such a great school," he said. "Kids want to come here and we are excited to have a very robust freshmen class at the door."

  

The last freshmen class was around 130 students.

 

Continuing with the incoming class, Kratz indicated that 81 percent of students were to be placed in their first choice shop. Twelve percent of students were placed in their second choice shop.

 

Kratz said students were able to thoroughly explore all shops.

 

Shepley brought attention to the practical nursing program students who have helped administer COVID-19 vaccinations in the city.

 

"It continues to shine and does an outstanding job at the vaccination clinics," he said. "They are a welcomed, high profile, energetic, well-received group." 

 

Brosnan said he was happy to spread the word along to the instructors.

 

"It is part of the training that they get. They passed that piece before they go there," he said. "Over a 1,000 in one day. They are the ones that administer them, and I think they got a great deal of learning out of that and at the same time made a very helpful move."