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Whittier Tech rep outlines FY26 budget increases, feasibility study and possible shared-campus options
Summary
The committee heard a Whittier Tech report that FY26 budget rose about $1.13 million (3.63%), with the district's assessed share up and capital costs shifting; members discussed a feasibility study (estimated ~$166,000) and MSBA steps for a possible shared campus or new facility.
The Newburyport School Committee on May 19 received a report on Whittier Technical High School's FY26 budget, capital assessments and a regional study exploring a shared campus model.
Whittier Tech's representative, Miss Celai, told the committee the FY26 budget increased by about $1.13 million (3.63%). She said approximately $520,000 of that increase is attributable to higher Chapter 70 state aid and roughly $612,000 will be assessed to Whittier Tech member communities. For Newburyport specifically, she said the operating assessment rose about 12.9%; capital assessments also changed, with Newburyport's capital share up about 18.32% (an increase described as roughly $11,000 for the city).
Miss Celai said the district and regional partners are weighing what capital work is essential while awaiting decisions on a long-term building project. She described a required letter of intent and a feasibility study the region may need to fund to remain in the MSBA process; an approximate planning cost cited in discussion was $166,000 (based on prior regional estimates). Committee members asked whether the study would continue the existing 11-community working group and whether enrollment and capacity options would be examined; Miss Celai said MSBA will require study of keeping the school at the existing site as one of the options.
Members discussed enrollment projections, cost trade-offs and whether a new shared campus should be sized to serve more students. The administration noted that the feasibility study is intended to answer key questions and that the committee will continue to coordinate with city council on any funding decisions.
