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Public comments, aimed at shaping a shared campus for Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School and Northern Essex Community College, will be accepted at four “public listening sessions” online in October and November.
As WHAV reported in April, Gov. Maura Healey backed the idea of the two schools working together after 10 out of 11 Whittier Tech member communities rejected plans to build a replacement $445 million vocational school.
“This partnership…will explore ways to create a new, modern facility for Whittier Tech, allow for expanded access to postsecondary education across northeastern Massachusetts and increase enrollment capacity at both institutions. It will also open up new avenues for potential new funding sources in the Merrimack Valley,” said a statement Thursday inviting public comment.
A Planning Group, led by Northern Essex President Lane A. Glenn, Whittier Tech Superintendent Maureen Lynch and UMass Donahue Institute Research Director Mark Melnik, first met Aug. 27. Its goals are to replace the current high school with a safe, modern facility; expand access to postsecondary education for Whittier Tech students and the community; increase enrollment capacity; and identify funding sources.
The first two 90-minute sessions—Tuesdays, Oct. 8, 11 a.m., and Oct. 29, 1 p.m.—will provide ideas for an interim report. The remaining listening sessions—Tuesdays, Nov. 12, 6 p.m., and Nov. 19, 1 p.m.—are intended to gather feedback on the report. Officials said sessions will be held on Zoom, audio will be recorded and participation will be confidential and voluntary.
Those interested in registering for the sessions may visit necc.mass.edu/whittier-tech.