Whittier Tech committee approves 2026–27 calendar, administrative assistant job description, SkillsUSA trip and business manager contract

The Whittier Tech School Committee on April 8 approved multiple routine and personnel items, including the 2026–27 school calendar, a confidential job description for a new administrative assistant to the superintendent's office, an overnight SkillsUSA field trip and, after an executive session for contract negotiations, the school business manager's contract.

The assistant superintendent, Mr. Lowagaris, presented the 2026–27 calendar, noting staff report dates in late August, student start on Sept. 2, an open house in November, senior prom on June 1 and an early-release graduation on June 3. The committee moved, seconded and approved the calendar on a roll-call vote.

The superintendent presented a confidential draft job description for an administrative assistant to the superintendent's office and asked the committee to approve it; the committee voted to approve the draft job description in open session. The committee also approved an overnight field trip to the SkillsUSA State Leadership Conference (April 30–May 2) after confirming that required paperwork would be filed and chaperones provided.

Separately, the committee voted to enter executive session under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 30A, §21(a) to conduct contract negotiations with nonunion personnel (the school business manager). After returning to open session the committee held an open roll-call vote to approve the school business manager contract; the chair announced the contract was approved.

Votes at a glance

- Approve March 11 regular meeting minutes: motion moved and approved by roll-call (chair announced "It passed"). - Approve March 11 budget workshop minutes: approved by roll call. - Approve March 11 and March 25 executive-session minutes: approved by roll call. - Approve treasurer's report and payment of bills: approved by roll call. - Approve 2026–27 school calendar: approved by roll call after presentation by Mr. Lowagaris. - Approve draft job description for administrative assistant to the superintendent's office: approved by roll call. - Approve overnight SkillsUSA trip (April 30–May 2): approved by roll call; paperwork to be completed prior to travel. - Enter executive session under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 30A, §21(a) for contract negotiations: motion approved. - Approve school business manager contract (open session vote after executive session): motion approved; chair announced "Approved."

Next steps: The committee did not provide further details on the administrative assistant hire or the business manager contract terms during open session. The job description was approved as drafted; any hiring decisions or contract specifics not discussed in open session will follow existing personnel procedures.