Amendment ID: S3029-34-R1

Redraft Amendment 34

Study on Agricultural Schools

Messrs. Fattman and Tarr move that the proposed new draft be amended by inserting after section 15 the following section:-

“SECTION 15A. The department of elementary and secondary education, in consultation with the department of agricultural resources, shall conduct a study and make recommendations on the feasibility of establishing additional county agricultural schools under chapter 74 of the General Laws.

The study shall: (i) assess the statewide and regional demand for agricultural and agricultural technical education pathways; (ii) evaluate the workforce needs across agricultural and other related sectors; and (iii) identify potential sites or host districts for new or expanded agricultural schools.

The department of elementary and secondary education and the department of agricultural resources shall solicit public input and hold not less than 4 public hearings to collect public comment for the study, one of which shall be in Worcester county. Notice of said public hearings shall be provided to the Massachusetts association of school committees, Massachusetts association of school superintendents and Massachusetts municipal association. The department of elementary and secondary education shall post on their website a draft report not later than December 31, 2026 and hold 1 additional public hearing to solicit comment on said draft report. The department shall submit a final report with their findings and recommendations, including any regulatory or legislative changes that may be necessary to implement the recommendations, not later than July 1, 2027, to the clerks of the house of representatives and senate, the joint committee on education, the joint committee on agriculture and fisheries and the senate and house committees on ways and means.”.