School committee discusses DESE admissions guidance, weighted lottery options

The Greater Lowell Regional Vocational Technical School Committee discussed admissions-policy options in light of guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The school attorney told members the committee must adopt a policy that complies with DESE regulations and that the district can revisit and adjust its approach annually.

The attorney said the committee faces a choice between options neither side finds ideal and emphasized the need for a policy that meets regulatory recommendations. The attorney noted the district could keep a weighted lottery but modify the factors considered, or adopt a blind lottery, and that changes could be made year to year based on outcomes. "We have about a year; it wouldn't go into effect until the 2026 group," the attorney said, describing the timeline for implementation.

Committee members discussed the underlying capacity issue: limited seats available for vocational programs. One member urged advocacy for more seats from state legislators, saying expansion is expensive but necessary. The attorney also recommended efforts to raise awareness about how seat limits affect applicants, and noted that policy adjustments alone cannot increase available seats.

No formal vote to change the admissions policy was taken at this meeting; the discussion was recorded in the subcommittees report/new business section and the committee preserved the option to revisit the policy annually.