CANTON — Superintendent Jill Rossetti and Principal Geoffrey Zini are pleased to announce that Blue Hills Regional Technical School has been awarded a grant in support of educator workforce diversification.
The $25,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will be used to fund the inclusion and diversification of the educator workforce at Blue Hills Regional. With the grant, the school will better understand their demographic data and how to best expand education opportunities.
In order to improve diversity within the school community, Blue Hills Regional will conduct professional development on culturally responsible hiring practices, including interviews, recruitment and retention. The district also plans to implement a strategic diversity, equity and inclusion plan with a consultant and conduct diversity research and analysis on educator hires and candidates over the past five years.
The grant will directly tie into the Positive & Supportive Climate and Culture Strategic Objective pillar of the district’s Strategy Plan for Success 2020-2024, and the district’s ongoing strategic initiatives.
“At Blue Hills Regional, we strive to promote an inclusive and diverse community that is reflective of the communities we serve,” Principal Zini said. “To accomplish this goal, we are committed to finding the best ways to implement these practices, starting first with our educators. With this generous grant from DESE, we will be able to to continue our work to do just that.”
The grant is part of DESE’s “Student Opportunity Act Evidence Based Programs” grant project, which aims to improve educational opportunities for all students, focusing on racial equity and diversity of both students and educators as well as improvement of accelerated summer academic programs, early college programs and early literacy programs.
The school applied for the grant on March 22. After completing an informal needs assessment and working with administration on the grant parameters, Principal Zini submitted the proposal to DESE and it was awarded to Blue Hills on April 21.
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