Greater Lawrence Tech Sees Enrollment Surge, $4M Budget Rise; School Details transportation and new programs

Greater Lawrence Technical School Superintendent John Lavoie told the Lawrence City Council on the fourth day of budget hearings that the school’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget is up by about $4,000,000, driven primarily by rising enrollment and program expansion.

Lavoie said GLTS enrollment has climbed from roughly 1,200 to about 1,850 students and that 70% of the student body comes from Lawrence. “We are taking in 500 freshmen this year, which is an increase of about 30 students from last year,” he said. He told councilors the school currently has about 644 students on its wait list.

The increase in the school’s assessment to member communities is tied to the state’s Chapter 70 foundation budget and the state’s formula, Lavoie said. He described the school’s per‑pupil cost as “between 25 and 26,000 per student” and noted that Chapter 70 revenue is part of a larger foundation total. He said the city’s assessed local contribution tied to GLTS foundation costs increases with enrollment and local capacity measures set by the state.

Councilors pressed for line‑item detail. Councilor Marmol asked whether Lawrence is meeting its minimum required contribution under Chapter 70; Lavoie replied, “You are meeting your responsibilities for sure.” Marmol also sought more granular line‑item explanations for increases in administration, instruction and other functions; Lavoie said some changes reflect salary contract steps, additional staff hires and a projected 18% rise in the school’s active‑employee health insurance costs, which he called “a substantial increase.”

Transportation emerged as a significant cost driver in the discussion. Lavoie said regular busing costs are “approximately 2,031,309,” an increase tied to more routes and more students transported. He noted high costs for individualized transportation: “We have a student, a 1 on 1 student that we transport, that just to transport that 1 student is $40,000 a year for 1 minivan.” Councilors urged the school to explore contracting strategies and alternatives; one councilor recommended splitting contracts into smaller pieces so local operators can bid, and Lavoie confirmed GLTS plans to put the busing contract out to rebid and that the district is meeting with Uber to discuss targeted transportation for some student needs.

Lavoie outlined current and planned program expansions and external partnerships. He thanked the city for acquiring a hangar at Lawrence Municipal Airport and said GLTS has obtained FAA approval and is awaiting a final certificate expected in July; once issued, the school will hold a public ceremony. He described partnerships and new pathways the school is pursuing: a veterinarian assistant and animal science program with the MSPCA; an expanded medical program partnership with Lawrence General that could provide additional space for clinical pathways and support launching an LPN program; and a new radiology pathway to be funded with remaining capital skills grant dollars. He said the Smith Foundation provided $10,000 for planning the LPN program and will help with startup costs, and that other foundations have supported program launches and capital equipment.

On program funding mix, Lavoie said workforce development activities are primarily grant‑funded and do not carry town assessments. He noted GLTS reported total revenue for fiscal 2026 of $54,935,906 (foundation plus non‑foundation funds) and described components of non‑foundation assessments, including transportation, OPEB trust fund, fixed assets and long‑term debt service.

The superintendent also described instructional priorities: the school hired four reading specialists because “about 70% of our ninth graders this year came in below grade level in reading,” and GLTS plans to increase seats in high‑demand programs (for example, expanding a medical assistant program from 30 to 60 students annually). Lavoie said the school is pursuing grants and philanthropic support—“we probably got over… $4,000,000 in a capital skills grant”—to buy equipment and seed new programs.

The school committee has approved the proposed GLTS budget, Lavoie said during the hearing. Councilors asked for clearer budget books that break increases down per position and line item; Lavoie and other GLTS staff said they can provide more detailed purchase orders and personnel breakdowns if requested.

Councilors and the superintendent also discussed space constraints and alternatives to buying costly property: instead of attempting a multi‑million‑dollar purchase, GLTS is pursuing partnerships (including with Lawrence General, which now operates the former Holy Family Hospital) that could provide space for health program expansion while saving the city bond costs.

Lavoie closed by thanking councilors and the community for long‑term support and inviting them to the hangar ribbon cutting. “Once we have the certificate, we’ll do [a] ceremony out at the airport, invite the entire city council,” he said.