Education

Public Meetings This Week: Revised Draft Haverhill School Spending Plan Coming Thursday

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The public has opportunities to shape policy this week as various Haverhill boards meet. In the interest of transparency in government, WHAV provides this list of upcoming meetings every week. Haverhill School Superintendent Margaret Marotta will present her proposed budget for the next year at the Haverhill School Committee’s next regular meeting Thursday. Marotta was asked to propose another $764,000 in cuts to her draft $134 million budget released last month. This would keep the school budget at a 2.5% increase over this year’s budget, as requested by Mayor Melinda E. Barrett.

Education

Gov. Healey Appoints Gomez and Yepez as Northern Essex Community College Trustees

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Zoila Gomez and Juan Yepez are joining the Northern Essex Community College Board of Trustees after being appointed recently to five-year terms by Gov. Maura T. Healey. Gomez replaces former trustee Glennys Sanchez, while Yepez fills the seat previously held by Sally O’Rorke. Gomez is a local immigration lawyer Zoila. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Gomez graduated from Northern Essex in 1997 with a degree in paralegal studies, earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from UMass Lowell and her law degree from Massachusetts School of Law. She founded her law office in 2006 and, in the fall of 2011, she returned to the college as a professor of Immigration Law and Policy.

Education

State Awards Northern Essex Community College Grants to Train Unemployed and Under-Employed

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Northern Essex Community College is the recipient of two state Training Resources and Internships Network, known as TRAIN, grants to provide essential training opportunities to unemployed and under-employed residents. Northern Essex Community College was awarded $110,453 for its Assistant & Pharmacy Technician Training and also received a Customer Service Training grant of $29,619. The amounts were part of $1.5 million in grants expected to benefit more than 500 unemployed and under-employed people. “Our administration is committed to building a workforce that reflects the strength and diversity of Massachusetts,” said Gov. Maura T. Healey. “These TRAIN grants will connect hundreds of community college students to the skills, support and opportunities they need to succeed in growing industries and help ensure our economy works for everyone.”

Grants support 15 implementation programs and two planning projects that offer comprehensive training programs, which include not only the development of key skills, but also wraparound support services to guide participants through their learning journey and into new careers.

Education

NH Continues to Shift Education Funding to Local Property Taxpayers

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by GARRY RAYNO, InDepthNH.org, InDepthNH.org
April 29, 2025
By GARRY RAYNO, InDepthNH.org

CONCORD — If you are a property taxpayer in New Hampshire, the latest National Education Association annual report on school statistics across the country will not be a surprise. New Hampshire is a kind of reverse lottery: property taxpayers pay the highest percentage of public school costs of any other state in the country and New Hampshire state government contributes the least state aid to public education of any state. Property taxpayers pay 63 percent of the cost of public education, while the state contributes 28.8 percent, leaving a little over 8 percent for the federal government to contribute, the 45th lowest for states. The state’s historical reliance on local property taxes with wildly varying rates has led to numerous lawsuits over its education funding system which creates discrepancies and inequities in school districts across the state. The two latest lawsuits await decisions from the state Supreme Court on Superior Court rulings saying the current system is unconstitutional because it fails to comply with the proportional and reasonable requirement for taxation along the state failing to live up to its constitutional obligation to pay for an adequate education.

Education

Haverhill High Football Boosters Get Early Start on Cleanup; Citywide Earth Day on Saturday

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Although Haverhill’s formal Brightside Annual Earth Day Cleanup was postponed to this Saturday, Haverhill High School Football Boosters got a head start sprucing up Trinity Haverhill Stadium last week. The Boosters, comprised of supporters—including the School Football Team, members of the cheer team, Mayor Melinda E. Barrett and state Rep. Ryan M. Hamilton, took part. City cleanup continues this Saturday, May 3, when Haverhill’s Brightside Annual Earth Day Cleanup takes place. Volunteers are asked to help between 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will check-in, pick up snacks, coffee, water, an event T-shirt and clean up supplies any time after 8:30 a.m., at Veterans Memorial Skating Rink, behind Haverhill High School at 137 Monument St. Volunteers will collect litter and overgrown weeds at 50 sites including traffic islands, neighborhood pocket parks and other recreational spaces from Bailey Boulevard and the Buttonwoods Riverside Trail to Windsor and Wysocki parks.

Education

Podcast: After Graduation Alternatives—Haverhill High School to Offer Post Secondary Expo

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To help local high school students imagine the wider world of opportunities after graduation, the Haverhill High School guidance department is hosting its first Post Secondary Expo Tuesday during school hours. Representatives from nine apprenticeship and trade programs, four branches of the military, six community-based workforce agencies and local unions will join 30 two- and four-year colleges to showcase their offerings. The expo is the brainchild of Megan Arivella, supervisor of school counseling K-12 for Haverhill Public Schools, and her team of high school counselors. Arivella, a recent guest on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” program, explained why offering more options is important to today’s high school students. “We’re looking to shift the narrative a little bit from students who may choose a college or university for their future plans, but also provide other opportunities for students.

Education

Northern Essex Community College Adds Ball and DeCologero to Executive Staff

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Northern Essex Community College has hired two executives in the president’s office—both with significant state and local experience. Jennifer Ball, currently the assistant town manager in Ashland, become chief of staff to college President Lane A. Glenn, while former North Andover Selectman Philip DeCologero takes the newly created post of director of president’s office communications and external affairs. “Jenn and Phil both bring extensive knowledge of local and state government, as well as experience in complex project management and strategic planning,” said Glenn in a release. “Both will be tremendous assets to the college.”

DeCologero, who currently works as director of community and external affairs for state Auditor Diana DiZoglio, begins Monday, May 5, while Ball assumes her post a week later. As assistant town manager, Ball manages cross-departmental projects and advises the town manager and elected officials on policy and operations.

Education

Haverhill Commission on Disabilities to Award Two $7,500 Scholarships   

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Graduating high school seniors with disabilities who live in Haverhill and are planning to pursue a career in a health care or disability-related field may apply for one of two $7,500 scholarships offered by the Haverhill Commission on Disabilities. “We believe these scholarships often make the difference in whether non-traditional students are able to attend college and further their education,” said Frances (Hogan) Lamb, commission chair. “We look forward to having these students return to the community and tell us how furthering their education has made a difference to them and to those they are helping.”

The application is one-page form available from both the Haverhill High School and Whittier Regional Vocational Technical School guidance departments, by emailing [email protected] or by calling the Commission at 978-374-2387. The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, June 6, she said. Applicants are advised to be prepared to describe their disability as well as their high school activities and community-based volunteer work, any employment or internships and what they most enjoyed about high school.