Education

School Committee Pulls Second Whittier Tech Seat Off Agenda; City Lawyer Said to Have Found Errors

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The Haverhill School Committee is revisiting plans to fill, what were first described as, two available seats on the Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School Committee. While the existing appointment of Richard P. Early Jr. expires at the end of the month, a new policy that declared a vacancy in the seat now held by Scott W. Wood Jr. is now being reconsidered. Behind the concern, officials said, is a ruling by City Solicitor Lisa L. Mead that the Whittier Tech policy and eight others should have been heard and voted upon separately under the state’s Open Meeting Law. In light of the decision, the full School Committee will interview six candidates at its regular meeting Thursday night only for the seat held by Early. The agenda now lists candidates as Paul A. Bergman, Mary Ellen Daly O’Brien, Early, Debbie Gangi, Jeff LeBlanc and Warren Seitz.

Education

Haverhill Education Foundation to Host Trivia Night April 6, Announces $1,000 Scholarship for Tech Grad

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The Haverhill Education Foundation will host a trivia night fundraiser Saturday, April 6. New this year, Kalyn Ryll, clerk for the nonprofit, told city councilors last night the organization created a $1,000, needs-based scholarship for a Haverhill High graduate who completed the Career Technical Education program. The money may go toward a postsecondary degree, technical school program or an apprenticeship. Details are on Haverhill High’s online scholarship portal, with applications due Friday, April 19. “We hopefully will have this be the start of a longstanding scholarship that we might be able to offer to these students,” Ryll said.

Education

Hillie David Martinez Joins Governor’s New Youth Council at Beacon Hill Ceremony

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(Additional photographs below.)

Standing on the State House Grand Staircase with 60 other young representatives, David Martinez, a junior at Haverhill High School, was inducted as a member of Gov. Maura T. Healey’s new youth council yesterday. Observing some of his peers cutting class and wandering the halls, Martinez said he hopes to work against “widespread apathy” at Haverhill High School. He loved his AP U.S. Government and Politics class, he said, organizing debates for Haverhill politicians as well as a voter awareness campaign. He said he has seen some of his classmates struggle to find similar outlets for their passions. “Your zip code shouldn’t be a predictor of your future success,” he said.

Education

Former Councilor O’Brien and Bentley Lecturer LeBlanc Seek Consideration for Whittier Seats

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A retired nurse who served 20 years on the Haverhill City Council and a Bentley University lecturer whose family runs a successful automotive business are among those wishing to serve on the Whittier Tech School Committee. Former City Councilor Mary Ellen Daly O’Brien and Jeff LeBlanc, who has taught business at Bentley, Boston University and Suffolk University, among others, both notified WHAV of their interests in one of the two available Haverhill seats at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School. “My successful and fulfilling 46-year nursing career as well as serving 20 years on the Haverhill City Council make me uniquely qualified and that I can bring valuable knowledge and understanding to the board.” O’Brien told WHAV. She added “I am very familiar with budgetary concerns, administrator transparency, working collaboratively on a team and, most of all, putting Haverhill’s priorities first.”

LeBlanc said, “My connection to Whittier VoTech runs deep. My father, Kenneth LeBlanc, got his start at Whittier VoTech, where he received the foundational skills and training that paved the way for his successful career in the automotive field and business.

Education

Whittier Tech School Board Member Richard Early of Haverhill Plans to Seek Reappointment

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One of Haverhill two representatives to the Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School Committee confirms he is seeking reappointment. Richard P. Early Jr., whose current three-year-term ends March 31, told WHAV Thursday he submitted paperwork to Mayor Melinda E. Barrett, chairperson, and School Committee Vice Chair Paul A. Magliocchetti. Early has served as one of Haverhill’s two representatives for nearly 24 years. As WHAV reported first Wednesday, the city is seeking applicants for both of its seats on the Whittier Tech School Committee. Besides Early, the seat held by former Haverhill School Committee member Scott W. Wood Jr. was declared vacant as part of a new policy adopted last week.

Education

Northern Essex Community College to Present ‘An Afternoon with Andre Dubus III’

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New York Times Bestselling author and Haverhill native Andre Dubus III will be reading from his latest books, “Ghost Dogs: On Killers and Kin” and “Such Kindness,” during an upcoming talk at Northern Essex Community College. Dubus speaks Tuesday, April 9, 12:30 p.m., at Northern Essex Community College Haverhill campus, C Building, Lecture Hall A, 100 Elliot St., Haverhill. “An Afternoon with Andre Dubus III” is presented by Northern Essex Community College’s Writing Associate Degree program, Parnassus literary magazine and Liberal Arts Division.

Education

Haverhill Seeks Applicants for Both of its Seats on Whittier Tech School Committee by Monday

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With one term already scheduled to end this month and another term cut short by a new Haverhill School Committee policy, the city is seeking applicants for both of its seats on the Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School Committee. The three-year appointment of longtime member Richard P. Early Jr. ends March 31 and the term of Scott W. Wood Jr. was to have ended in two years. The Haverhill School Committee, however, voted last week to implement a new policy that cut Wood’s term short. The policy declares, “If a Haverhill School Committee member is appointed to the Whittier Tech School Committee and chooses not to run for reelection or is not reelected before the end of their three-year term the position shall be considered vacated, and the appointee must reapply to the Haverhill School Committee if they want to finish their term on the Whittier Tech School Committee.”

Haverhill is asking those who wish to serve to send letters of intent by next Monday, March 25,  to Mayor Melinda E. Barrett, chairperson, and School Committee Vice Chair Paul A. Magliocchetti. Applicants must reside in the city and are asked to outline their motivation for serving and vision for Whittier Tech.

Education

Haverhill SEPAC to Show How Kindergarten Readiness Helps as Far as High School

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Research indicates kindergarten readiness can impact how successful a child is in high school. Haverhill’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council’s annual Kindergarten Readiness program next Monday shows how kindergarten readiness can lead to greater academic success, lower dropout rates and better health and lifestyle habits. Haverhill William H. Moody School Principal Kristi-Lynn Kurczy discusses the importance of preparing for kindergarten at the in-person presentation. Haverhill Promise and the Moody PTO will provide age-appropriate books on a first come, first serve basis with a preference to those families who sign up ahead of time. There is a limit of one book per family.