Taunton Schools Land $1.1M State Grant for Construction Trades Equipment

TAUNTON — May 6, 2026 — Taunton Public Schools secured a $1.1 million Chapter 74 vocational expansion grant, the largest in district history, at the School Committee's May 6 meeting. Superintendent John Cabral announced the award — down from the district's $1.5 million request — at the Governor Healey administration's press conference held at Assabet Valley Regional High School last week, saying the funds will purchase bulldozers, front loaders, lifts, and related construction equipment and allow the district to build a steel-frame indoor training structure at Taunton High School, expanding the construction trades program by 30 to 40 students. The committee also approved a split bills payable warrant totaling $1,110,994.44, with Finance and Law Subcommittee Chair Dr. Gregory DeMello casting the lone dissenting vote on a $2,784.75 Apple Inc. purchase of school committee supplies. Cabral presented cost analyses for two proposed budget priorities: universal transportation to Taunton High School's 578 bus-less students at approximately $1.25 million annually and summer programming for all high-needs students at approximately $934,000 — neither funded and both dependent on committee action before the June 3 public budget hearing.