Waltham weighs cuts to HVAC program, teacher scarce
Waltham School Committee weighed scaling back its HVAC program over an unfilled teaching vacancy. Dr.
School Committee Part 1 · Meeting of October 7, 2026
Waltham School Committee weighed scaling back its HVAC program over an unfilled teaching vacancy. Dr. Conley told members the second HVACR instructor position at Waltham High School has sat open since spring, calling it "one of the hardest positions to fill right now in the commonwealth." Staff recommended admitting new students to the introductory class only every other year starting in 2027-28 if the post stays vacant, affecting a program with 16 students in Tech One and 10 in Tech Two.
Committee member Tarallo pushed for "outside the box" fixes including double sessions and recruiting retired tradespeople, recalling the program began with a $100,000 city investment. Members also honored retiring Kennedy Middle School Principal Gilday, approved an $18,000 Shark Ninja cosmetology-equipment donation, and voted 5-0 to declare office space at 617 Lexington Street temporarily surplus for an outside tenant's construction-related use.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 4,143 words
Source: the School Committee Part 1 meeting of October 7, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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