The Landing School of Boatbuilding & Design has reached an agreement with a Massachusetts maritime college to explore ways to preserve the Arundel school, which recently announced plans to close.
The school has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Northeast Maritime Institute’s College of Maritime Science, Landing School President John Caron said in a news release Wednesday night.
The two schools plan to establish a framework that would continue the Landing School’s long-standing role as a center for boatbuilding and maritime systems education. Caron said the details of the agreement and next steps will be evaluated over the coming month.
“Most importantly, both organizations want current and incoming students, families, alumni, faculty, and industry partners to know that every effort is being made to preserve continuity, stability, and confidence in the future of The Landing School,” the news release reads.
The Landing School opened in 1978 but announced last week that this spring’s graduating class would be its last, citing declining enrollment and financial challenges.
The Northeast Maritime Institute, located in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, is a private maritime college established in 1981.
“Our objective is not simply to preserve a school, but to help protect a legacy, support its students and faculty, and work collaboratively toward a future where The Landing School can continue serving its community for decades to come,” said Eric Dawicki, president of NMI’s College of Maritime Science.
The Landing School’s statement Wednesday said deposits from students who are already enrolled will be held while the two institutions review the possible outcomes of their new agreement, but that any student who would prefer a refund is still welcome to request one.
“We strongly encourage students to stay the course with confidence as we aggressively explore a framework designed to provide long-term stability and renewed opportunity,” Dawicki said.
Both institutions said they will provide additional updates as they are available.
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