NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Senior Camryn Moran was presented with the Superintendent's Award at the Thursday meeting of the McCann School Committee. 

 

"When we have these students for the super Attendance Award. They are a standout," said Assistant Principal Keith Daigneault. "And they're a standout because they embody, they embody all of the things that we strive for our students to be."

 

Moran, the daughter of Jason and Olivia Moran, has a grade-point average of 4.41 and has received a grade of A-plus in each of her classes. 

 

"And that is with our most rigorous course, every honors and AP class that you can jam into a schedule," said Daigneault. "She's a standout cross country runner, and she does volunteer work. She has done volunteer work for PopCares. She's done volunteer work for Kids lifting Kids. She's doing co-op at Williams College, is an Honor Society member."

 

He read off a number of accolades from Moran's teachers, who said she had a "quiet confidence" in the classroom and "unwavering work ethic," that she was respectful and organized, dedicated, kind and helpful to peers and "not afraid to challenge herself."  "We as educators always try to measure learning. Cam has mastered how to learn," wrote one teacher. 

 

Her computer-assisted design teacher Josh Meczywor credited her family for building a firm foundation for their daughter's success and the School Committee watched the speech she gave about her positive experience at McCann at the opening of the school's new HVAC building earlier this fall, giving her a round of applause.

 

Superintendent James Brosnan said faculty had put her name forward when he asked for a student who could best represent McCann and that Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler, who attended the event, had called him later to say how much she had impressed him.  

 

"She is an amazing young lady, and we are so grateful that you chose to join us here at McCann," said Daigneault.

 

The committee also got an overview of the school's co-operative program from its coordinator Thomas Tinney.

 

"[Employers] provide a vital role and are part of the final steps of our students' career in technical education,: he said. "The co-op program would not be possible without our number of dedicated participating employers."

 

The program allows students in their final junior semester through their senior to work in their career fields at participating businesses. Currently 49, or 37 percent, of the 134 seniors are in co-op; this is lower than last year's 50 percent but Tinney noted this class is larger by 26 students. He anticipated it would catch up a little bit by spring. 

 

"They have an opportunity to apply their technical training and develop additional skills. They have a chance to test their career choice with real-world experience," Tinney said. "They can gain an awareness of the workplace atmosphere, develop confidence and maturity."

 

For employers, he said, "it provides an efficient and cost-effective method of recruiting new employees."

 

McCann students come in trained in safety practices and occupational skills, and with certifications in industry standards, such OSHA 10 or ServSafe.

 

"It gives the employers the opportunity to provide input to the school on the industry trends, standards and training needs, and that a lot of times fall into place with our advisory board," said Tinney. "A lot of our members in the co-operative program are part of our advisory board, and if not, I try to recruit them when we get replacements."

 

The program builds relationships between the technical school and local businesses and provides students with career pathways that often lead to jobs right out of graduation. 

 

Tinney said employers have spoken highly of the students' work ethic — showing up on time and being appropriately dressed — and how well they interview. 

 

The students are paid at least minimum wage (currently $15 an hour) but can earn more. Employers must provide at 30 hours of work related to their technical training. Tinney says ensures that's being met when he does walkthroughs of the job sites.

 

"They have to keep an eye on how well students are doing, because this co-op experience replaces their shop experience. That's where their grade comes from," he said. 

 

Participating students must be in good standing with their academics and maintain them during the program; employers alert the school of openings and interested students have to go through an interview process like any applicant. 

 

In response to questions, Tinney said some students come back because feel they aren't getting the skills they need as the school oftentimes has more advanced equipment. 

 

He left the committee with a quote from Thomas O'Donnell, vice president of support services and facilities at Berkshire Medical Center about five McCann students from carpentry, culinary and electrical. 

 

"The five students have made a significant impact through their work ethic and professionalism. The collaboration between McCann and Berkshire Medical is a promising step toward preparing students for successful careers, benefiting both the students and the community."

 

In other business, Brosnan said the district's fiscal 2024 audit had "no findings, no recommendations, a perfect audit, a perfect piece, control of our funds. You cannot ask for anything better than that." 

 

He and the committee credited Melanie Medon, district treasurer, for putting it all together. 

 

"This tells us that the stewardship and accounting accountability of our assets and our financial records are in very good hands, and you're to be commended for your continuous vigilance and making sure that everything here, if we can financially, is probably taken care of," said committee member William Craig.