The Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District is proud to announce that Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School (DRRHS) has been awarded a combined $650,000 in grant funding from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) through its Climate-Critical Workforce Training, Equipment, and Infrastructure Grants Program.
This significant investment supports DRRHS’s forward-looking efforts to enhance its Chapter 74 Automotive Technology program by integrating electric and hybrid vehicle (EV/HEV) training into both the daytime curriculum for juniors and seniors and the evening programming for adult learners.
The district received two grants under the initiative:
Strand A Award – $150,000 to expand curriculum and pilot new training pathways, including the development of an EV/HEV-focused section of the existing high school program and clarification of evening adult programming.
Strand C Award – $500,000 to purchase specialized high-voltage and hybrid vehicle training equipment, support facility modifications for safety, and align instruction with evolving industry needs.
According to Superintendent Bill Runey, “This grant represents more than just an investment in equipment—it’s an investment in our students, our community, and our future. By expanding access to clean energy career pathways, we are empowering the next generation of technicians to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry. It also reinforces our commitment to equity, as these opportunities will extend to adult learners and underserved populations. I’m incredibly proud of our team for embracing this bold vision, and I want to especially thank Renee Moorby for her outstanding grant writing work that brought this opportunity to life.”
The implementation of this initiative will build on the district’s legacy of hands-on technical education. Michael Strojny, Director of Career and Technical Education, explained, “This funding allows us to take our automotive program to the next level. We’re excited to equip our students—both high schoolers and adults—with the skills necessary to meet the demands of a green economy. The integration of EV and hybrid vehicle training into our curriculum will position our learners for meaningful careers in clean energy while building strong partnerships with employers across the region. It’s a proud moment for our program and a major step forward for technical education at DR.”
Principal Dustin Demers highlighted the impact on students and the broader school community: “Our students are stepping into a world where clean energy and advanced automotive technology are no longer the future—they’re the present. This grant ensures that DRRHS remains at the forefront of shaping learners for careers that truly matter. I’m incredibly proud of our staff and students for their readiness to embrace this next chapter, and I’m grateful that our school can lead the way in such meaningful, forward-thinking work.”
These awards affirm DRRHS’s commitment to preparing students for climate-critical careers while strengthening regional capacity to meet the growing demand for skilled EV and hybrid vehicle technicians. The expanded programming will serve both high school students and adult learners, creating new pipelines to high-wage, high-demand employment in the clean energy sector.
The grants will also support the school in expanding its current employer network beyond commercial dealerships, bolstering post-graduate job placement efforts. Over the next two years, DRRHS will support a pilot cohort of 13 students through this innovative training initiative.
MassCEC has expressed enthusiasm for working alongside DRRHS to build climate-resilient career pathways and to serve underrepresented communities and Environmental Justice (EJ) populations across the Commonwealth. The district looks forward to finalizing the grant agreement and launching the next phase of implementation in collaboration with MassCEC in the coming months.