Education

Whittier Tech Committee Spares Engineering, Accepts Some Shop Mergers and Agrees to Close Others

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The Engineering shop was spared, while Construction Craft Laborer will merge into a revised Masonry program and three other shops will eventually close following Wednesday night’s vote by the Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School Committee. Early Education and Care and Design and Visual Communications will close in 2027 after the few remaining students in the program graduate, pending approval from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Superintendent Maureen Lynch argued closing or changes in programs with declining enrollment are necessary so that resources can be targeted to growth areas. “There is a significant need for education teachers and early education teachers, there’s no denying that part. The issue really is having less than 10 students run in the trade area when I have other trade areas that really need those resources,” Lynch said.

Education

Haverhill Council Approves $1.5 Million in Borrowing for J.G. Whitter, Silver Hill Schools

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Rising construction costs are raising concerns among elected officials on whether Haverhill and other communities can continue to pay for school rehabilitation projects over the next decade. The City Council Tuesday approved $1.5 million in borrowing to both plan the future of the John Greenleaf Whittier School and pay for the schematic design of a new roof for the Silver Hill School. Both projects could lead to partial state reimbursement through the Massachusetts School Building Authority after construction. Council President Thomas J. Sullivan expressed disappointment the city is forced to borrow money upfront just to get state help. “What bothers me is that the city is required to use our own funds or borrow our own funds to be able to do this step,” he said.

Haverhill

Haverhill Welcomes Breakfast Exchange Club Donation of Taxi Vouchers for Seniors

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A donation to the city from the Breakfast Exchange Club will provide taxi vouchers to keep seniors moving this spring. City councilors last week accepted the organization’s donation of $1,500 to the Haverhill Council on Aging for its “Happy Rides” initiative to provide taxi vouchers for city seniors. Mayor Melinda E. Barrett explained how the donation helps. “The Breakfast Exchange Club has come through again with this $1,500 for Happy Rides, which are critically important to some of our older adults that no longer drive, that need rides to appointments to see their doctors and to get to and from different things they need to attend. This will be well used and very much appreciated by the Council on Aging.”

The Club, founded in 1997, aims to support older adults with basic needs and services such as transportation, food and heating assistance.

Education

Haverhill Officials, Private Partners Aim to Create One-Stop Shop For Education and Career Opportunities

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Members of the Haverhill City Council’s Planning and Development Committee aim to create a one-stop shop to match students with career opportunities and internships. Councilor John A. Michitson on Tuesday updated his colleagues about plans drawn during the Jan. 21 Planning and Development Committee. Michitson said the Committee is exploring creating a website and online hub to link existing resources and tools for the community. “Potential features might include matching student needs versus education options, career training options and internship opportunities.

Education

Haverhill Schools Note Dilemma Parents of Special Needs Students Face Over Earning Diploma

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Receiving a diploma and graduating from high school may work against a high needs student’s interest. Haverhill School Committee members recently acknowledged a dilemma parents face when a high school diploma actually denies special needs students services to which they are entitled after age 18. School Committee Vice Chair Richard J. Rosa explained post high school programs may better prepare them for adult life. “They can’t get into the 18 to 22 programs, they not going to be able to get into an adult day program if they have a diploma. We know some students with autism, despite getting a diploma, they’re not going to be gainfully employed,” he said.

Haverhill

Haverhill City Councilors Vote 8-3 to Approve Lovers Lane Solar Farm With Conditions

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After a number of delays dating back to October, Haverhill city councilors Tuesday approved a special permit with conditions for a solar farm on Lovers Lane. As WHAV reported first in October, December and earlier this month , the project proposed by SPI Solar is to be built on two woodland parcels on the northern side of Lovers Lane. The developer said the project, on what is currently 23 acres of green space near the New Hampshire border, will generate 6.8 megawatts of electricity. Councilors expressed concern about the so-called state Dover Amendment, a law that exempts in some instances certain uses, including solar installations, from municipal zoning ordinances. The law requires exemptions be included only based on public health, safety and welfare and may not unreasonably burden a project, according to City Solicitor Jason R. Talerman.

Haverhill

Haverhill City Clerk to Kick Off 4th Annual Top Dog Contest, Will Award Special Tag and Trophy

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The Haverhill City Clerk’s is getting ready to kick off its fourth annual Top Dog contest to encourage timely dog licenses registrations and renewals. “We like to incentive people to register their dogs,” City Clerk Kaitlin M. Wright told city councilors Tuesday. Residents who opt to license their dog early between Feb. 1 and Feb. 28 and submit a photo of their dog to the City Clerk’s office will be entered into a drawing for dog tag numbers one through three.

Education

Haverhill School Hosts Food Drive to Bolster Food Pantry in Time for February Vacation

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Golden Hill School in Haverhill is conducting a food drive through Friday, Feb. 7, to support families in need. “We’re trying to reinvigorate a small food pantry that’s utilized by families as-needed,” School Committee member Mikaela Lalumiere explained during last week’s School Committee meeting. Hygiene and food items are in need throughout the year, but Lalumiere stressed donations this month are aimed at supporting families during school vacation next month. Ongoing collections to support the pantry are also planned.