Students from Dean Tech’s Auto Collision and Diesel Technology programs join school staff, law enforcement partners and local officials.
Photo credit: Hampden District Attorney’s Office
HOLYOKE — A new partnership between the Hampden District Attorney’s Office and Holyoke Public Schools will provide forfeited vehicles to students at William J. Dean Technical High School for a hands-on learning experience.
The DA’s Office and Holyoke Public Schools hosted a joint event on Sept. 23 to discuss the program.
The Forfeiture Used for Educational Learning program was created by the Hampden District Attorney’s Office to allow vehicles forfeited through criminal proceedings and no longer needed for law enforcement purposes to be transferred to educational partners.
Under the agreement, the Hampden District Attorney’s Office will identify eligible forfeited vehicles and transfer ownership to Holyoke Public Schools once each vehicle has been cleared by law enforcement. Holyoke Public Schools will then use the vehicles as instructional tools, helping students build practical skills while preparing for careers in the automotive industry.
Dean Tech is the program’s first partner and was provided 13 vehicles for the 2026-2027 school year. Interstate Towing has also supported the launch of FUEL by providing its towing services for the 13 vehicles to Dean Tech at no cost.
Through the initiative, students in Dean Tech’s auto collision program will gain real-world experience inspecting, diagnosing, repairing and maintaining vehicles as part of their vocational education.
The new educational initiative will allow students to work with vehicles in varying conditions and give them exposure to different automotive systems and repair needs while helping them develop the technical and problem-solving skills required in the industry.
Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni explained in a statement how these forfeited cars can still be useful.
“These vehicles have had long lives, including use in criminal enterprise, but through FUEL, they can now serve an entirely new purpose — and positive — purpose,” Gulluni said. “Students at Dean Tech will be able to work on actual vehicles, solve real problems and develop skills they can carry directly into the workforce. That is a meaningful second life for these assets and a tremendous opportunity for students.”
FUEL originated with Detective Lt. Liam Jones of the Hampden District Attorney’s Office State Police Detective Unit, who recognized that eligible forfeited vehicles could become valuable training tools for vocational students.
HPS will oversee the use of the vehicles within Dean Tech’s vocational programs and ensure all necessary safety protocols are followed before students begin working with them. Vehicles may also be sold by the school at a later date, with proceeds reinvested directly into supporting and sustaining the school’s automotive programs.
HPS Superintendent Jackie Glasheen said, “Community partnerships are foundational to the success of our educational programs at Holyoke High School’s Dean Tech Campus. Our partners provide hands-on training opportunities that make the learning real. We thank the Hampden District Attorney’s Office for this opportunity that will allow our students to practice skills they need for employment in this industry.”
Dean Technical High School senior David Collins said in a press release about what the program means to students who will have the opportunity to work on the donated vehicles.
“It means a lot to know there’s people in our community thinking about us,” Collins said.
The agreement will remain in effect for five years, with additional vehicles transferred on a rolling basis as eligible vehicles become available.
