Whittier Tech reports strong fall participation; new cell‑phone locker policy introduced

Assistant Principal Mr. Leanus and Superintendent Lynch reported on the opening of the school year and early‑term operations at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical.

Student representative Richard Dico told the committee that clubs and athletics have strong early participation: both varsity and JV football won their opening contests, volleyball and cross‑country showed robust turnout, and overall participation numbers were promising.

Assistant Principal Leanus described orientation activities, staff professional development and a newly implemented cell‑phone locker policy in vocational shops and academic classrooms. "What we did this year ... it wasn't an expectation that the cell phones when they get into their shop area or they get into their classroom, we have the cell phone lockers ... they have to put it in before they sit down for their academics or they go into their vocational area," he said. The administration said students may use phones on buses, during breakfast in the cafeteria and during lunch; otherwise phones are expected to be secured.

Superintendent Lynch said the district has 219 early college students in partnership with Northern Essex Community College, with students split between weeks for college‑based classes, and 384 students signed up for fall sports. She emphasized that amendments to the regional agreement must be resolved before moving into MSBA schematic design and feasibility, meaning work on governance and community engagement will run in parallel with capital planning.

Committee members praised staff for a strong opening and asked for continued reporting on early‑college participation and the cell‑phone policy’s classroom impact. The administration said it will continue to monitor the policy and provide updates.