Tri-County RVTHS Celebrates, Looks Ahead

Pictured are current students from Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School on a recent visit to Remington Middle School in Franklin, prior to the critical vote to rebuild the school. The group met with those currently in Grade 8 to make them aware of their high school options and the plethora of benefits included in a vocational technical, academic curriculum. In addition to a multimedia presentation, there was a question and answer session. To attend TC’s Open House on November 4, please visit www.tricounty-us/openhouse to register.  

What began as a vision by then-superintendent Stephen Dockray in 2015 to remodel the existing building evolved into plans to build a new one, resulting in a yes vote as residents in 11 communities approved a measure that will construct a new facility for Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School. Current superintendent Dr. Karen Maguire has spearheaded efforts since assuming her role in 2021, engaging in numerous community outreach initiatives to local Town Managers, Select Boards, Town Councils, Finance Committees, and residents.

Plans call for shovels to hit the ground in the summer of 2024 with an anticipated opening in time for the 2026-27 academic year. The successful vote and impending groundbreaking is a result of tireless efforts on behalf of school administrators and a volunteer committee. The total project cost is estimated at $285,992,692 and upon completion will replace Tri-County’s current facility which has been in existence since the school’s establishment in 1977. What was once 82 million in grant funding from the Massachusetts School Building Association (MSBA) is now nearly 102 million after today's MSBA Board of Directors meeting, an unprecedented feat.

“I am overjoyed by the outcome of the special election,” Maguire said. “This opportunity for our students and vocational technical education in this area would not have been remotely possible without the effort and support of countless people, too many to name. Our hashtag throughout this process was Save the Trades and last night as the results trickled in, I felt as though we were doing just that while providing a well-rounded education to the students who walk our halls.”

Maguire and others have and will continue to collaborate in lockstep with the MSBA in this endeavor. In the next phases of the school building project, the district will work with their OPM and architects on more detailed design. Construction will follow.

“This is a seminal moment for TCRVTHS; a newly designed, modernized building will have a significant impact on our ability to provide high quality instruction, aligned to the evolving technologies of the industries our students will enter,” principal Dana Walsh said. “This successful vote ensures that we will equip our talented faculty with the tools they need to mold and develop the next generation of tradespeople.”

Since its founding in 1977, the mission of Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School has been to provide an excellent comprehensive technical and academic education to regional high school students. State-of-the-art technical skills and knowledge are enriched and complemented by a solid foundation of academic skills. Creative and cooperative partnerships between area employers and a dynamic staff at Tri-County guarantee the continued growth and development of exciting programs designed to prepare graduates for careers in the twenty-first century. The school proudly services the communities of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Seekonk, Sherborn, Walpole and Wrentham. For more, visit the school online at www.tri-county.us or any of our social media platforms.