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An interim report discussing the possibility of a shared campus for Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School and Northern Essex Community College is the subject of two focus groups starting Tuesday.
According to a statement on a public sign-up page, information and ideas collected will not be shared outside of a planning group, described as “creative, big-picture thinkers,” and participants who check a required confidentiality box.
“To ensure everyone feels comfortable speaking freely, please do not repeat the conversations within your listening session outside of the session itself and do not share the names of those in attendance,” the statement reads. Haverhill School Committee member Richard J. Rosa, however, said he chose not to participate because of the required confidentiality agreement.
Haverhill School Committee member Richard J. Rosa. (WHAV News file photograph.)
“As an elected official, I have a responsibility to be transparent and accountable to my constituents. I cannot participate in a public meeting where attendees will discuss the expenditure of taxpayer dollars and our students and agree to refrain from sharing insights with community members and colleagues afterward,” Rosa told WHAV in a statement. He added, “Agreeing not to discuss who was present and what they discussed at a public session contradicts my fiduciary responsibility to our city’s taxpayers.”
Rosa suggested “the audio recordings of all the sessions should be made public and shared with the local press in all the affected communities.”
The interim report was shaped during two “listening sessions” last month, but UMass Amherst’s Donahue Institute declined to provide WHAV with information collected to ensure participants are comfortable sharing feedback. When asked if at least a summary of the findings is available, WHAV was told the report will not be released until next spring after all data is collected and analyzed.
As WHAV reported in September, the final two listening sessions—taking place Tuesday, Nov. 12, 6 p.m., and Tuesday, Nov. 19, 1 p.m.—are intended to gather additional public comments and receive feedback on the report. Officials said Zoom sessions will be recorded. Those interested may register online here.
WHAV reported in April that Gov. Maura Healy supported a partnership between both schools after 10 of the 11 Whittier Tech member communities rejected a nearly $445 million replacement for the school. Only voters from Haverhill, whose students comprise about 70% of Whittier’s student population, supported the plan.
The planning group is led by Northern Essex Community College President Lane A. Glen, Whittier Tech Superintendent Maureen Lunch and the UMass Amherst Donahue Institute Research Director Mark Melnik, which first met Aug. 27. Other members include Sen. Bruce E. Tarr, state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Associate Commissioner Elizabeth Bennett, Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove and Georgetown Town Manager Orlando Pacheco.
Organizers say goals of the project include allowing for expanded access to postsecondary education across northeastern Massachusetts and increasing enrollment capacity at both schools.