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Superintendent: MSBA offered building-size options; committee weighing new Chapter 74 programs
Summary
The superintendent said MSBA’s guidance allows consideration of 1,280- or 1,500‑student buildings and described potential new Chapter 74 programs (criminal justice, environmental science, ISSN/computers, robotics, vet tech); two existing programs are in fade‑out.
The superintendent presented MSBA enrollment guidance and program planning options to the committee, saying the MSBA analysis currently allows Whittier Tech to consider a building sized between 1,280 and 1,500 students and that both options will be examined before schematic design.
"At this point, they are letting us look at a building of between 12 80 and 1500," the superintendent said. She explained that choosing a higher enrollment figure would increase state reimbursement but also change long‑term operating and capital assumptions.
The superintendent listed several Chapter 74 program ideas the team is considering: criminal justice, environmental science, ISSN (information support, systems and networking), robotics and veterinary technology. She said the Chapter 74 application process is intensive; the ISSN program is being explored jointly with Northern Essex Community College and the district hopes to pursue a capital‑skills grant to support it.
On program closures, the superintendent said design & visual and early education & care are being closed via a fade‑out process rather than immediate termination.
Committee members asked whether the enrollment number is strictly an either/or decision; the superintendent said the OPM and schematic process can consider intermediate enrollments and adjust plans accordingly. The committee will discuss enrollment and program choices further as part of the feasibility process should MSBA invite the district into the study.
