Communities to Meet on Whittier Tech’s Future; Former Methuen Mayor DiZoglio to Moderate

Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School. (Jay Saulnier photograph for WHAV News.)

After gaining the state’s blessing last month, officials are taking the first big step toward uniting area communities behind a replacement Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School.

Whittier Tech Superintendent Maureen Lynch told WHAV this week that representatives of all 11 communities that send students to the school will meet to discuss goals and attempt to bridge differences. The Municipal Working Group, as it is called, includes mayors, town managers, city councilors and town select board members.

“We want to make sure that everyone feels like they’re a part of whatever we move forward with. Whether they agree with it or disagree, we just want to make sure everyone feels like they’re a part of what we’re trying to do,” she said.

The Municipal Working Group meets Monday, Jan. 27, at 1 p.m., at Northern Essex Community College. Shawn Regan, Whittier Tech liaison to Northern Essex, told Ipswich Tri-Board members this week that former Methuen Mayor and former Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Executive Director Dennis DiZoglio will moderate the meetings. Regan explained the Working Group is comprised of two representatives from each district member—the city or town leader plus one guest or designee such as a town’s select board chair.

“We’re looking forward to the work and we know we have to do something for Whittier Tech and, hopefully, all together we can make the right decision,” Lynch said.

The meeting is the first major move since the Massachusetts School Building Authority unanimously invited the school into an eligibility period to try again to either repair or replace the more than 50-year-old building. Whittier Tech and Northern Essex Community College, with the blessing of Gov. Maura Healey, advanced the concept of a shared campus at the college’s Haverhill site a year ago after voters rejected a $445 million standalone replacement.

Regan told Ipswich officials, “the goal of this shared campus model is to enhance efficiencies, reduce costs and create innovative educational opportunities for both institutions.” At the request of the Tri-Board, which includes town Select Board, Finance Committee and School Board members, Regan laid out the major concerns with the existing building. Those includes replacing the aged and deteriorated wastewater treatment plant, 150-160 electrical panels long overdue for replacement, 55 original uni-vent classroom heaters, natural gas Reznor gymnasium heater, brick exterior and windows and doors for the high school’s restaurant and culinary areas.

Lynch told WHAV work meeting the eligibility requirements of the state begins in earnest next August.

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