By Stephen Pina
Candidate for Ward 1 School Committee – Brockton, MA
www.votepina.com

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Public education in cities like Brockton is at a crossroads. 

On one side stands the decaying legacy of institutionalized education—buildings full of bureaucracy, stripped-down curriculums, and leadership more concerned with politics than progress. On the other side are bold new models like Masters Academy International, a world-class student-athlete development school that combines rigorous academics with real-world preparation. The contrast is stark—and frankly, it’s embarrassing.

A System Built on the Wrong Blueprint

Right now, the Brockton Public School system resembles an outdated institution that does more to socialize young people into the rigid rhythms of incarceration than inspire them toward adulthood. Bells. Uniforms. Metal detectors. No choice. No path forward.

Meanwhile, our graduation requirements lack real-world relevance. Students aren’t graduating with financial literacy, workforce certifications, or college credits — they’re graduating confused, frustrated, and unprepared.

It’s time for a fundamental redesign, and that starts with targeted, specialized education models that give students clear, practical pathways forward — whether that’s college, career, or a trade.

Missed Opportunity: The Masters Academy Example

Masters Academy International is set to open in 2026 as an elite, student-athlete-focused academy located in Massachusetts. Unlike Brockton’s public schools, this new academy isn’t interested in status quo. It’s modeled after the legendary IMG Academy in Florida, combining top-tier academics with professional-level sports development in a boarding school environment.

“Our goal is to not just prepare kids to compete—but to dominate in college, in athletics, and in life” (Masters Academy International, 2025).

It offers:

• College-Level Curriculum and Dual Enrollment: Students earn real college credit while in high school.
• Full Athletic Development: Advanced training in facilities that rival some Division 1 programs.
• Holistic Support Services: Nutrition, injury prevention, mindset training, and life skills coaching.
• Global Reach: The school is attracting students from across the country and around the world.

Why didn’t we build something like that here in the City of Champions? Because leadership lacked vision. They didn’t fight for it. They didn’t think big.

The Problem: Brockton’s School System Is Broken

Our school system feels more like a prison prep program than a launchpad for life.

• Metal detectors instead of mentorship.
• Bells, uniforms, and rigid rules instead of choice and opportunity.
• Kids graduate confused, not prepared.
• And when things fall apart, leadership calls the National Guard instead of fixing the culture.

This isn’t education. It’s institutionalization.

What else would you expect when you micromanage and box in a generation full of untapped talent, thinkers, and innovators?

What Should’ve Been Built in Brockton

While Masters Academy International focuses on student-athletes, their model of specialization and excellence should’ve been our playbook for reform. Imagine a Brockton Campus of Innovation with multiple specialized academies, all under the public school umbrella, but each one laser-focused on a different path.

The New Vision Forward: Five Schools for the Next Generation

1. The Brockton School of Allied Health & Nursing

• Partner with Brockton Hospital School of Nursing
• Dual-enrollment for 11th & 12th graders
• Direct healthcare pipeline

2. STEM & Tech Leadership Academy

• Robotics, AI, environmental science
• Tech startup training for the next generation

3. International Business Academy

• Leverages bilingual programs
• Global trade, diplomacy, economics

4. City of Champions Arts & Media Magnet

• Digital production, music, theater
• Real-world portfolios for creative careers

5. The Carpenter Vocational Leadership School

• Named after Mayor Bill Carpenter: “It takes a Carpenter to build a city”
• Competes with Southeastern, Blue Hills, and South Shore
• Trades, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship

Brockton kids deserve more than a diploma—they deserve a future.

The Economics of Missed Opportunity

We also can’t ignore the Biden Administration’s economic mismanagement, which has compounded educational struggles:

• Inflation peaked at 9.1% in 2022, decimating school budgets and raising construction costs (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022).
• ESSER funds were meant to “save” schools, but many districts used them on short-term fixes and padded salaries—not structural reform (U.S. Department of Education, 2023).
• Labor costs, material inflation, and bureaucratic waste are why schools like Brockton couldn’t pivot fast enough to seize opportunities like Masters Academy has.

The Tide Is Turning—But Only If We Act

Inflation is slowing. Real wages are recovering (FRED, 2025). Now’s the time to rebuild, restructure, and replace the broken model.

The Brockton Way: Time for a Hard Reset

The City of Champions? Not anymore. Unless we change course.

As I campaign for Ward 1 School Committee, I’m making it crystal clear: the old ways won’t fix anything. My Champion City Project is built around 4 core pillars:

1. Academic Accountability – Public dashboards, school scorecards, and graduation metrics that actually matter.
2. Parental Rights & Curriculum Transparency – You’ll see everything your kid’s being taught—no hiding behind jargon or activist agendas.
3. Respect for Frontline Staff – Pay parity and professional development for paras, aides, janitors, and lunch staff.
4. School Safety Is Non-Negotiable – Full funding for a 22-officer school police force and real student discipline enforcement.

I’m not anti-teacher. I’m pro-accountability. I’m not against education. I’m against indoctrination. And I’m tired of watching Brockton settle for scraps while our kids lose their future.

Bottom Line:

Let’s stop preparing kids for jail and start preparing them for purpose.

Let’s stop watching from the sidelines and start building again.

Brockton has the students. Brockton has the heart. Now it needs leadership.

Visit www.VotePina.com to read more about the Champion City Project and how we take Brockton back.

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Visit: www.votepina.com
Email: [email protected]
Follow: @VotePina
Support the Movement: Volunteer. Donate. Show up. Let’s take Brockton back.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022). Consumer Price Index – June 2022. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi_07132022.htm

Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED). (2025). CPI and Real Wages – 2024–2025 Trends. https://fred.stlouisfed.org/

Masters Academy International. (2025). About. https://www.mastersacademyinternational.com/

U.S. Department of Education. (2023). ESSER Funds Usage Summary Report. https://www.ed.gov

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center. (2025, July 28). FY2026 General Appropriations Act Analysis. Retrieved from https://massbudget.org/2025/07/28/fy2026-gaa-analysis/

The Masters Academy International. (2025). Masters Academy International: Elite Sports Education. Retrieved from https://www.mastersacademyinternational.com/

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Occupational Outlook Handbook: Healthcare Occupations. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm

Federal Reserve. (2025). Consumer Price Index Data for Urban Consumers. Retrieved from https://www.federalreserve.gov