Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Admissions Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Superintendent outlines option to preserve local slots if DESE lottery policy proceeds
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Lincoln Hoeger told trustees the district is preparing for a statewide vocational‑school lottery ordered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and proposed a two‑lottery approach that would reserve 30 Northampton seats before running a lottery for nonresident applicants.
Superintendent Dr. Lincoln Hoeger updated trustees Tuesday on planning for a statewide vocational admissions lottery described in regulations from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Hoeger said the district is considering a two‑stage approach: an initial lottery for Northampton residents to allocate approximately 30 seats, followed by a second lottery to allocate the remaining nonresident admissions (the superintendent referenced filling about 120 nonresident slots). He said the proposal mirrors practices used by regional vocational schools, where each member town holds a local lottery category.
The superintendent explained the two‑lottery approach would give Northampton families predictability for budgeting and staffing while complying with the state requirement for a statewide lottery. He said the administration is investigating technical solutions — including whether the student information system can perform a public lottery — and that the board will need to hold a public meeting to run the lottery if the district proceeds.
Hoeger said more work will be required this summer and fall to draft the board’s admissions policy and public procedures; he suggested the board consider holding a dedicated meeting in spring to adopt the new policy before fall application cycles.
Trustees asked for more details and expressed support for a public, transparent lottery process that preserves local predictability while meeting state rules.
