ORANGE — Ralph C. Mahar Regional School has started the academic year sporting a newly formed relationship with American International College, a new graduation pathway, and a new playing surface and track lanes.
Elizabeth Zielinski, superintendent of the Ralph C. Mahar Regional and Union 73 school districts, said Mahar has entered into a contract for dual enrollment with AIC after previously having worked with Greenfield Community College. She explained Mahar students can now work during the academic year to earn associate’s degrees in educational studies or early childhood education.
“It’s a good partnership with AIC, to provide those,” Zielinski said.
Efforts to contact AIC for more information about the dual enrollment program were unsuccessful.
In other changes as the school year gets underway, the Mahar Senators will play their 2025 season home games on a new turf field and surrounded by a new track.
Athletic Director Kyle Magoffin and Michele Tontodonato, the director of finance and operations, attended a Mahar School Committee meeting in November 2024 to explain that the rubber-and-sand mixture that made up the turf and track at the James S. Woodward Athletic Complex would be considered unsafe within two or three years.
Zielinski said there is misinformation circulating on social media that the field and track were funded by taxpayers. Both projects were paid for using School Choice money and grants, according to Zielinski.
“No one’s taxes went up for that,” she said. “We didn’t go out to bond for it.”
Zielinski also mentioned the track has been getting rave reviews.
“It’s bouncy, it’s cushy. You step on it and it’s just beautiful,” she said.
Magoffin said FieldTurf installed the field surface, while the track was installed by American Athletic Track and Turf.
“It’s unbelievable — night and day compared to what it was,” he said. “I think everyone’s excited.”
Magoffin said he received several emails over the summer from residents and former Mahar student-athletes inquiring about when the work would be completed. He said anyone is allowed to use the facility when school is not in session.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held shortly before last Friday’s football game.
In another recent development, Mahar students now have the opportunity to use a “Direct-to-Career Pathway,” as opposed to the traditional “College Preparatory Pathway.” Zielinski said each pathway has slight variations in course requirements.
Students who embark on the “Direct-to-Career Pathway,” intended for those who don’t plan to attend college, are not required to take Algebra II after completing a geometry course. However, all students must still complete four math courses. These students will also not be required to take two years of the same foreign language, something that has been encouraged for students who plan to attend college. However, students on the “Direct-to-Career Pathway” must take at least one “cultural diversity” elective.