Dighton-Rehoboth Awarded $1.5 Million to Launch Next-Generation Career & Technical Education Programs

North Dighton, MA — The Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District (DRRSD) is proud to announce it has been awarded $1.5 million through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Expansion Grant Program to launch and expand high-demand career opportunities in Culinary Arts and Criminal Justice / Public Safety Pathways.

This significant investment will support Dighton-Rehoboth’s Next-Generation Career & Technical Education Expansion by establishing a state-of-the-art CTE Hub that connects classroom learning with real-world career opportunities and meets critical workforce needs across Southeastern Massachusetts.

“This is about opportunity and making sure our students don’t have to wait until after graduation to find it. We’re building programs that connect relevant learning to real careers, real skills, and real purpose. That’s the promise of our CTE work and a direct reflection of our DRiving Toward 2030 strategic plan in action,” said Superintendent Bill Runey.

The new programs will provide hands-on, career-connected learning experiences aligned with regional workforce priorities:

Culinary Arts will prepare students for careers in the hospitality industry through industry-recognized certifications, business and entrepreneurship training, and partnerships with local restaurants and tourism employers.

Criminal Justice / Public Safety Pathways will equip students with foundational skills in public safety and human services, including CPR, First Aid, and de-escalation training, with a strong focus on ethics, communication, and community engagement.

“These new pathways open doors for students to discover their interests, build confidence, and see a future for themselves that is both meaningful and attainable,” said Dustin Demers, Principal of Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School. “At DRRHS, we’ve always believed that there’s something for everyone, and this expansion brings that belief to life in a powerful way.”

These programs are core to the district’s DRiving Toward 2030 strategic plan, which commits that every graduate will complete a high-value, career-connected learning experience. In October 2025, DRRSD also received a $15,000 grant to add Medical Assisting to its growing menu of CTE programs. The DRRSD CTE Hub is expected to serve more than 200 students in its first year, expanding to over 400 students annually by Year 3, while also opening doors for adult learners and community members seeking new skills or career transitions.

“This grant is a testament to the vision and persistence behind this work,” said Mike Strojny, Director of Career & Technical Education. “I want to recognize our Grantwriter, Renee Moorby, whose leadership and attention to detail helped bring this opportunity to life. With this support, we’re able to expand programs that give students hands-on experience, industry credentials, and a clear connection between what they learn in school and where they can go next.”

The initiative builds on Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District’s strong track record of community partnerships and career readiness. In the last three years, over 80% of CTE students have secured employment, apprenticeships, or continued their education within six months of graduation. The district will collaborate with key partners, including MassHire Bristol Workforce Board, Bristol Community College, Bridgewater State University, and regional employers in the hospitality and public safety sectors.

Students will benefit from internships, dual enrollment opportunities, industry mentorship, and real-world training experiences, including catering events, pop-up cafés, and field-based learning with local public safety agencies.

Designed as a model for regional collaboration, the DRRSD CTE Hub will align education with workforce demands, expand credentialed training capacity, and increase equitable access for students from historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.