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Haverhill School Committee members moved last night to narrow its choices to fill one of two seats on Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, but one of the candidates this morning chose to withdraw, citing in part the abrupt and unannounced change in the selection process.
School Committee members decided Jeff LeBlanc and incumbent Richard P. Early Jr. would go before the Haverhill School Committee at its next meeting even though the Committee originally described an “anticipated selection date” of March 28. In an email to Mayor Melinda E. Barrett, Vice Chair Paul A. Magliocchetti and member Richard J. Rosa, LeBlanc said “I assure you if I had known of the multi week process beforehand I would not have submitted my materials.”
“Regrettably, I was unaware that this was a multi-week process. While I completely understand the necessity of this form of candidate vetting, I unfortunately must make a hard decision regarding my future time. I must alert my chair of my decision on whether to teach an exciting new course this fall, which will meet during evening hours. As I’m sure you understand this is not an opportunity I can put on hold. I have a firm deadline,” LeBlanc wrote.
The now two-part selection process was not the only change since last week’s “Announcement of Vacancy,” soliciting applicants for both of the city’s seats on Whittier Tech’s board—Early’s March 31 expiring term and the seat held by Scott W. Wood Jr. Members took the Wood seat off the table after the School Committee’s policy change, declaring the seat vacant, ran afoul of the state’s Open Meeting Law.
Paul Bergman was the only other candidate to speak at last night’s meeting, with two dropping out on short notice, and a third failing to show up. LeBlanc and Early received the most votes from the committee members and were set to answer members’ questions before a final vote, in yet another departure from the plan first announced.
Mary Ellen Daly O’Brien, who decided not to run, also told WHAV, “I’m pulling my name from consideration for two reasons. One, I believe it was for two open seats which is now obviously not true. Two, I don’t want to be in opposition to Dick Early Jr. continuing as our rep. on the Whittier Vo-Tech School Committee. In fact, I totally support him.”
As WHAV reported, a new policy that declared a vacancy in the seat held Wood is now being reconsidered. City Solicitor Lisa L. Mead determined members should have voted separately on the new Whittier Tech policy, in addition to eight others. Reading last night’s agenda, Barrett announced the committee would again discuss and vote on the new policy during the body’s April 11 meeting “to address possible Open Meeting Law issue.” No explanation for the delay was given.
Five members of the public spoke positively of Early, who said he had many “projects” at Whittier he still needed to finish. Some told the committee he had helped their children find a spot at Whittier. Early has held the seat for 24 years.
LeBlanc, president elect of Haverhill Promise, emphasized his skills at communication, which he called essential to maintaining connections between elected officials and educators. He added that his father, an auto mechanic, learned his trade at Whittier.
Bergman, an engineer who chaired the building committee for Haverhill High School’s phased renovation, pitched himself as being helpful with the required upgrades to Whittier following the failed rebuild plan.
–Earlier version —
Vying for a seat on the committee for Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, Jeff LeBlanc and Richard P. Early Jr. will go before the Haverhill School Committee at its next meeting.
Paul Bergman was the only other candidate to speak at last night’s meeting, with two dropping out on short notice, and a third failing to show up. LeBlanc and Early received the most votes from the committee members and are set to answer members’ questions before a final vote, in yet another departure from the plan first announced.
Mary Ellen Daly O’Brien, who decided not to run, told WHAV, “I’m pulling my name from consideration for two reasons. One, I believe it was for two open seats which is now obviously not true. Two, I don’t want to be in opposition to Dick Early Jr. continuing as our rep. on the Whittier Vo-Tech School Committee. In fact, I totally support him.”
As WHAV reported, a new policy that declared a vacancy in the seat held by Scott W. Wood Jr. is now being reconsidered. City Solicitor Lisa L. Mead determined members should have voted separately on the new Whittier Tech policy, in addition to eight others. Reading last night’s agenda, Mayor Melinda E. Barrett announced the committee would again discuss and vote on the new policy during the body’s April 11 meeting “to address possible Open Meeting Law issue.” No explanation for the delay was given.
Five members of the public spoke positively of Early, who said he had many “projects” at Whittier he still needed to finish. Some told the committee he had helped their children find a spot at Whittier. Early has held the seat for 24 years.
LeBlanc, president elect of Haverhill Promise, emphasized his skills at communication, which he called essential to maintaining connections between elected officials and educators. He added that his father, an auto mechanic, learned his trade at Whittier.
Bergman, an engineer who chaired the building committee for Haverhill High School’s phased renovation, pitched himself as being helpful with the required upgrades to Whittier following the failed rebuild plan.