Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)

Vocational Technical Education Advisory Council

Council Statement

The CTE Advisory Council advises the Board and the Commissioner on matters related to Career Technical Education (CTE) across the Commonwealth. In FY25, the council's focus will include equitable access to CTE pathways, Department monitoring and support systems and processes for CTE programs, and program quality and alignment to business and industry. This work will support the Department's Educational Vision that all students are provided with learning experiences that are relevant, real-world, and interactive and are provided individualized supports that enable them to excel at grade level and beyond.

SY2025-2026 Meeting Schedule

Meetings are held via Zoom webinar from 3:30-5:30 and guests are invited to attend.

October 29, 2025 3:30pm

Register

Topics:

  • SY25-26 Topics & Calendar
  • CTE Advisory Charge
  • Chair Recommendation
  • Report from the Associate Commissioner
  • Perkins State Plan Implementation — Graduate Follow Up Survey
  • Perkins State Plan — Admissions Policies Process

January 14, 2026 3:30pm

Register

Topics:

  • Report from the Associate Commissioner
  • Perkins State Plan Implementation — CTE Frameworks
  • Perkins State Plan Implementation — MyCAP, MEFA Pathways, and Work-based Learning

March 25, 2026 3:30pm

Register

Topics:

  • Report from the Associate Commissioner
  • Perkins State Plan Implementation — Middle School and Admission Policy Update
  • Perkins State Plan Implementation — Postsecondary Updates
  • Perkins State Plan — Graduation Requirements

June 10, 2026 3:30pm

Register

Topics:

  • Report from the Associate Commissioner
  • Perkins State Plan Priorities — Secondary and Postsecondary Coordination
  • Perkins State Plan Implementation — CTE Programs
  • Perkins State Plan Implementation — Looking Back at the Year, Planning for the Next

SY2025-2026 Council Members

Term 1, Year 1:

  • Mark Lyons, Vice President of Sales, AET Labs
  • Nick Palermo, Director of Public Affairs, Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association

Term 1, Year 2:

  • Kathleen Duff, CTE Director, Newton Public Schools
  • Gretchen Manning, Deputy Superintendent, Everett Public Schools
  • LaTrelle Pinkney-Chase, Exploratory Cooperative Education Coordinator, Rindge Technical School of the Arts

Term 1, Year 3:

  • Akram Mchiti, Postsecondary Student, Wentworth Institute of Technology
  • Judith Pelletier, Director, Division of Nurse Education, Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School
  • James Tripp Pockevicius, CTE Director, Bay Path RVTHS/Southern Worcester County Regional Vocational

Term 2, Year 2:

  • Lew Finfer, Director & Community Organizer, MA Action for Justice & Vocational Education Justice Coalition
  • Steve Sharek, Executive Director, Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA)
  • Julie Spencer-Robinson, Parent, Parent, Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School

Term 2, Year 3:

  • Tim Hathaway, President, Larkin/Hathaway, Inc. (Sheet Metal, HVAC)
  • Ernest Houle, Superintendent-Director, Assabet Valley Regional Vocational School District
  • Karen Maguire*, Superintendent, Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School
  • LaVonia Montoute, Director of Career Pathways, EdVestors
  • Adele Sands, Education Liaison, LeftField Project Management

* Board Chair

Last Updated: October 9, 2025

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