Plymouth Schools Adopt State-Mandated Lottery System for Vocational-Technical Programs, Eliminating Merit-Based Selection
PLYMOUTH - October 6 - The Plymouth School Committee voted 4-1 Monday night to approve a new admissions policy for the district’s College, Career and Technical Education (CCTE) programs that replaces a merit-based selection system with a state-mandated lottery, dramatically changing how students gain entry to popular vocational programs at Plymouth North and Plymouth South high schools.
The Full Story
The policy change, required by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to be in place by November 1, removes academic grades and teacher recommendations from the admissions process entirely. Under the new system, students will receive lottery entries based solely on submitting an application, meeting attendance standards, and maintaining a discipline record free of serious infractions.
Previously, students were ranked using a complex point system where grades, perfect attendance, and recommendations from teachers and guidance counselors determined admission priority. An “A” grade earned five points, a “B” earned four points, and perfect attendance added ten points. This algorithm, developed in the district’s Aspen system, created a ranked list that determined which students got their first-choice shop placement.
Dr. Chris Campbell, Superintendent, explained the new approach: “The biggest change is the lottery piece. It is interest by applying, not having chronic absenteeism, and not having any major discipline infractions.” The policy follows DESE’s directive that all vocational schools across the commonwealth eliminate selective criteria except attendance and discipline.
Under the weighted lottery system, students will receive three possible “ping pong balls” in a digital lottery. One entry comes from submitting an application. A second entry is earned by having fewer than 27 unexcused absences between the first day of seventh grade and the end of the first semester of eighth grade, meeting the state’s 10 percent threshold for chronic absenteeism out of approximately 270 school days. The third entry requires meeting discipline standards, which Mark Duffy, CCTE Director, clarified would only involve serious offenses where “law enforcement would be involved.”
The lottery itself will be conducted using newly purchased software and will be televised on YouTube so parents can watch the process. Students will be assigned arbitrary numbers connected to their local IDs, and the software will randomly select students and certify the results, replacing the previous informal process.
Committee member Ashley Shaw expressed support for the change: “Most of the tech students that I know are not academic students. Most of the people that went into technical studies that I know as an adult who are great plumbers, who are great electricians, who are great mechanics, didn’t get good grades in school. So it almost seemed to fight itself in the past where I didn’t understand why we were focused on academics going into technical education.”
Christina Bryant echoed this sentiment: “I am proud of the state for moving forward with its decision. I think it gives an opportunity for students who are required to come to school but not necessarily the best student in academic situations and put in the right environment such as an HVAC or cosmetology program can really shine.”
However, Paul Samargedlis expressed reservations while acknowledging the state mandate: “I think when something is sought after, I know a lot of carpenters who are great at algebra. I think there’s some merit based component of that.” He also questioned what percentage of applicants are typically denied entry.
Duffy responded that approximately 25 percent of applicants do not gain admission in the initial lottery. He noted that seats do become available as some students decide the vocational path is not for them after experiencing exploratory programs, and students can reapply through a separate lottery process that generates a waitlist.
Vice Chair Katherine Jackson acknowledged the change would affect some high-achieving students, including her own daughter, but supported the policy: “There’s still hope because I know you’re working hard to talk about extending the program and hopefully admitting new students in the long term. So for families with kids in elementary school, maybe it won’t be such a big question later.”
The policy also includes provisions for homeschooled students, Rising Tide students, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and late arrivals to the district. The district will offer both digital and paper application formats and provide support to families with either option.
Plymouth South School Improvement Plan Updates
Earlier in the meeting, Plymouth South High School Principal Patty Fry presented the school’s mid-cycle improvement plan, highlighting results from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) accreditation visit conducted in October 2024. The visiting team offered extensive commendations and identified four priority areas for future development: enhanced counseling and mental health support, common planning time for teachers beyond the existing freshman academy, curriculum alignment with the school’s vision of graduate competencies, and continued development of the English Learner program.
Fry announced that the school has secured the BRYT grant, which will help students transitioning back from mental health placements. “When they’re out in the community getting the support they need, then we bring them back and put them into Algebra II, that’s not really the best type of situation,” Fry explained. The grant-funded position will provide transition services beginning around December.
The school is rolling out a comprehensive digital portfolio system for the Class of 2027, requiring students to document evidence of meeting five pillars of the vision of graduate: resilient problem solver, mindful learner, effective communicator, dedicated collaborator, and inclusive individual. Students will upload work twice annually during designated “Portfolio Weeks” in December and April.
“The portfolio advisory calendar is live and in effect now,” Fry said. “Our technology integration specialist, Mr. Schuler, and our librarian are going into our advisories to build these with the kids, so it’s really coming alive.”
Plymouth South’s English Learner population has grown from four students a year ago to 16 current EL students. The school has developed a “Connections Club” where fluent English speakers who learned English as a second language meet weekly with new language learners. This initiative led to the installation of flags representing 19 countries of origin for students and staff in a prominent third-floor location. “It’s funny how they talk about it, like the kids talk about the flags, which is kind of fun,” Fry noted.
The school continues its strong Advanced Placement performance, regularly appearing on the AP Honor Roll. Fry emphasized accessibility: “We don’t have prerequisites, and the students embrace it.” The school also launched its first annual Panther Camp for approximately 250 freshmen with 50 senior mentors to support grade nine transitions.
On attendance, Fry described a more personalized approach to credit recovery appeals: “We’ve changed is we’ve put different interventions into place that, okay, you went through a tough time, if you go to counseling because of this, I will reinstate your credit.” The school reported a 2 percent reduction in unexcused absences using this approach with individualized contracts.
The school hosted speaker Cara Filler, who addressed the entire student body across two assemblies on topics including positive choices, teen leadership, distracted driving, and peer pressure. Fry also highlighted the third annual mock crash event last spring and ongoing substance use prevention efforts.
Plymouth South will play Plymouth North at Fenway Park on November 26 at 4 p.m. for the Thanksgiving rivalry game. South Athletic Director Scott Fry reported that the game has already sold over 1,000 tickets between the two schools, outselling the other three games scheduled at the venue combined. Local restaurants are partnering for fundraising efforts, with proceeds supporting students and families in need during the holiday season.
CCTE Grant Updates
Director Duffy provided updates on significant grant funding for vocational programs. The MassCDC grant will fund a pre-engineered metal building enclosing a 50-foot by 50-foot outdoor slab at the vocational wing, creating approximately 2,500 square feet of additional instructional space. The long-term vision involves having electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and HVAC students work in teams on scaled-down building projects integrating all four trades.
“Those teams of four students would actually work to build a small shed that integrates all four of the trades, so learning how to work together in sequencing those jobs on a much smaller scale,” Duffy explained.
The grant also funds approximately $150,000 in HVAC training equipment, including systems where instructor Paul Reardon can introduce bugs into HVAC systems for students to diagnose and repair, a geothermal training system, mini splits, and heat pumps. Students will earn hot work certification for brazing at approximately 2,000 to 2,200 degrees and A2L refrigerant certification.
Student and faculty work will provide power, heating, and cooling to the new building. “The pictures and hopefully the videos that we’d be able to share with you the next time we see you when this work has been complete will be of our students taking on that work,” Duffy said.
The district remains in contention for the Skills Capital grant, which would upgrade allied health programs at Plymouth North and medical assisting at Plymouth South. The grant would provide augmented and virtual reality technology using devices that no longer require goggles, allowing students to manipulate 3D models of human anatomy. “To be able to get that in the hands of our students as freshmen, sophomores and juniors prior to them taking their CNA and their MMA before they go out on co-op... to be able to give them the same exposure, the same curriculum experiences and the same training that an undergraduate student would be getting and we’ll be able to do that in our high school is just an outstanding opportunity,” Duffy said.
Fry also reported that Plymouth South has purchased two Huddle cameras—one in the gymnasium and one mounted in the stadium—that automatically film and livestream all athletic events. “The camera automatically clicks on when the game starts, and then shuts off when the game ends,” Fry explained. The system allows students to create highlight films for college recruiting, provides easy access for parents unable to attend games, and eliminates the need for students to manually film events.
Student Representative Reports
Plymouth North student representative Anna King reported that the school’s homecoming football game resulted in a 28-10 victory over Silver Lake, with over 680 students attending the homecoming dance held in the courtyard. The school will participate in a college fair at Plymouth South on October 16, with approximately 184 juniors registered to take the PSAT that day.
King announced that teacher Elizabeth Lazaretti, known as “Biz,” received the Excellence in Teaching Award from the Harvard Club of Boston, one of only five Massachusetts educators to receive the honor. The school will host a pink-out football game on October 17 to raise money for community members impacted by breast cancer, and Student Council is organizing a fall craft fair on November 1 with over 100 crafters. The marching band placed fifth in their division at the U.S. Bands New England Invitational at UMass Amherst and will compete at MICCA state finals on October 26 in Quincy.
Plymouth South student representative Shealyn Braz reported that homecoming will take place on October 18 following a spirit week and rolling rally. Ticket sales begin October 9. The school hosted two assemblies with speaker Cara Filler focusing on positive choices, teen leadership, distracted driving, resilience, and underage drinking prevention. The school community raised over $3,400 for Going Gold efforts supporting childhood cancer awareness.
Braz announced that Plymouth South defeated Scituate on Friday night, ending Scituate’s 16-game winning streak. The boys’ cross-country team secured their seventh straight Fisher Division Patriot League title and extended their dual meet undefeated streak to five seasons. The PSHS Interact Club will host a pickleball tournament on October 19 at Village Sports Center in Pine Hills, with proceeds benefiting an organization providing schools and resources to a village in Ethiopia.
Artificial Intelligence and Student Learning
Fry discussed the district’s evolving approach to artificial intelligence in education. Plymouth South is rolling out AI lessons in advisory periods on October 8 and 10, followed by professional development for staff on November 4. The school has developed a Google form asking students questions about their AI usage to gather data across all grade levels.
“We’re trying to say, okay, how do you learn to use it responsibly?” Fry explained. “We’re trying to make adults in the high school level, and so we’re not just saying, here’s the zero. The English department has really modeled that with the kids, and if they see it in a paper, they talk to them, they have a conference, and they ask them to redo it.”
Committee member Samargedlis expressed concerns about AI’s impact on original thought: “I think we’re going to get into an area where it’s going to broach original thought, and we don’t want to touch that, especially in a developing stage of your life. I think the jury’s still out on how it can be utilized.”
Fry emphasized the importance of interpersonal skills: “I’m a people skills person, and I just get worried that students aren’t going to have the ability to have a dialogue and a conversation.”
Other Business
Superintendent Campbell reported that the current federal government shutdown has no immediate impact on the district’s federal awards, which were funded in fiscal year 2025. DESE has instructed the district to continue applying for federal funding and administering programs normally. School nutrition funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture remains available for September and October meal reimbursements.
The district is preparing its first quarterly newsletter featuring events, learning in action at elementary, middle, and high school levels, building belonging and diversity initiatives, special education resources, volunteer opportunities, and a superintendent’s report. Dr. Rogers will host “Coffee and Conversations: Meet the Director” on October 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mayflower Room to discuss her expanded role supporting students, families, and staff.
The Committee approved one retirement: Ted George from PCIS after 37 years of service, effective December 31.
Why It Matters
The elimination of merit-based admissions to Plymouth’s vocational-technical programs represents a fundamental shift in educational equity and opportunity. For students who struggle academically but excel in hands-on learning environments, the lottery system removes barriers that previously prevented access to high-quality career training. Approximately 25 percent of applicants currently do not gain admission to CCTE programs, and the new system may redistribute these limited seats to students who would have been ranked lower under the previous point system. Parents of high-achieving students may find this change frustrating, particularly if their children have worked to maintain strong grades specifically to access vocational programs. However, the policy acknowledges that academic performance in traditional subjects does not necessarily predict success in technical fields. As committee members noted, many successful tradespeople were not strong academic students in middle school. The change also affects families’ planning timelines—with the district working to expand CCTE capacity, families with younger children may face less competitive admission in future years. The policy takes effect immediately for students applying for the 2026-2027 school year.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To approve the new CCTE Admissions Policy eliminating merit-based selection and implementing a state-mandated lottery system. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 4-1 (Mr. Samargedlis, Ms. Bryant, Ms. Shaw, Ms. Jackson voted yes; Mr. Morgan voted no). (Timestamp: 1:15:33)
Motion: To approve the consent agenda as presented. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 1:22:23)
Public Comment
No members of the general public attended the meeting to provide comments during the public comment period.
What’s Next
The new CCTE admissions policy must be submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education by November 1, 2025. The district will communicate the new lottery process to all Plymouth families and coordinate with Rising Tide Charter School to ensure their students have access to application information. The CCTE Tech Expo night for families is scheduled for January 15, 2026, at 5 p.m., with eighth-grade parent nights at both high schools that same evening. Plymouth South will host its next NEASC decennial accreditation visit in September 2026. Dr. Rogers will host “Coffee and Conversations: Meet the Director” on October 16 from 6-8 p.m. Plymouth fall town meeting will convene on October 18 at 8 a.m., with the School Committee potentially in session if a quorum is present to address a supplemental appropriation from additional state aid.