Josh Karten Appointed South Shore Consortium Project Coordinator
Norton, MA—Superintendent Baeta is pleased to announce that the Norton Public School District has partnered with nine other local school districts to form the South Shore Consortium to collaboratively foster relationships with local higher education institutions.
The Norton Public School District is partnering with the Avon, Holbrook, Easton, East Bridgewater, Brockton, Taunton, Attleboro, King Philip Regional and Hanover school districts to form the South Shore Consortium. As part of the South Shore Consortium, the 10 districts will collaboratively foster relationships with colleges and universities throughout the state to create a variety of early college opportunities for high school students.
“I’m excited for our students and staff as this provides an opportunity for students in many ways,” says Dr. Baeta. “One of those opportunities is to bring the cost of going to college down for working families. Imagine earning 15-30 credits while in high school. MA has been late to the game on this topic and this opportunity exists because of district leadership coming together.”
This program is funded through a grant from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the King Philip Regional School District will serve as the fiscal agent for the grant.
East Bridgewater Public Schools Communications Coordinator Josh Karten has recently been appointed as the Consortium's project coordinator. In this role, Karten will be coordinating and directing all activities outlined in the grant including building a comprehensive Early College Program Model among the schools within the South Shore Consortium and their partner colleges and universities.
Karten has served as East Bridgewater Public Schools' Communications Coordinator since August 2022. Prior to joining the school district, Karten worked as the Chief Executive Officer/President of Craft Beverage Consulting. Throughout his career, Karten has had experience in strategic development, project management and more.
Karten received a master's degree in Education Administration and Leadership from Providence College. He also received a master's degree in American History and Modern European History from Providence College, and a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Stonehill College.
"I greatly look forward to beginning this new role within the South Shore Consortium and working alongside our partnering school districts and local colleges and universities to further grow early-college opportunities for our students," Karten said.