TURNERS FALLS — Franklin County Technical School is flying high, as the district enters the 2025-2026 school year with its new Aviation Maintenance Technician Program.
Although the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) still needs to finish certifying Franklin Tech’s new airplane hangar, curriculum and equipment, instructor Michael McIntyre is taking on a cohort of 12 freshmen and sophomores to start with in-class, academic learning that can be done prior to the start of the FAA program.
Superintendent Richard Martin said once the FAA completes its final checks, the students can earn their required hours for licensing and certification in airplane maintenance.
“That’s going to allow [the students] to acquire 1,200 hours toward their license and certification to get a job anywhere — not only in just the United States, but around the world, because they’re in such high demand,” he said.
In the classroom, McIntyre said, students will get a baseline understanding of safety, airplane mechanics, and academic knowledge in math and science that is necessary to develop maintenance skills. Until FAA approval is received, McIntyre said he hopes to equip the students with a good foundation in academics, but also a strong sense of being an “honest mechanic” who takes pride in their work and has a safety-oriented mindset.
New at school
On Wednesday, a total 650 students in grades nine through 12 — the largest cohort in recent years, Martin said — entered the doors of Franklin Tech, with a freshman class of 175 students. The school offers a variety of vocational and academic courses for attendees who hail from towns across the region.
Before the first day, the freshman Class of 2029 was invited to visit the school last week with their families through an orientation program led by Assistant Principal Amber Crochier. Martin said the majority of the freshman class was present, and attendees had the chance to meet their classmates and teachers, as well as get their schedules.
“I think that was a huge success,” Martin said of the freshman orientation. “It’s been something we’ve been doing for about a half a dozen years now, and we find it getting more and more traction each year.”
The district is also welcoming new staff members, including John Palumbo as the new director of student services. He will be working in the guidance and special education departments and handling admissions for students.
Two new math teachers, George Gutierrez and Molley Duclos, will be joining the district. Elizabeth Bouchard, previously assistant to the business manager, has moved into the business manager role, replacing Russ Kaubris, who retired from the position he had held since 1997. Janice Momaney, formerly guidance secretary, will now serve as administrative assistant to the superintendent.
Principal Brian Spadafino said Wednesday that much of Franklin Tech’s academic programming is staying the same from last year, with an addition of a statistics class.
“It’s been a nice summer, had some time to rejuvenate, but now it’s time for this building to come back to life,” Spadafino said. “We had a couple of good days with staff these last few days, and now we’re looking forward to getting the kids back here.”