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Whittier Tech outlines shared‑campus study with Northern Essex Community College
Summary
Officials said a Whittier Tech–Northern Essex working group reviewed a Donahue Institute study and are preparing for MSBA eligibility and a feasibility timeline; the district expects to fund the feasibility study (estimated $2–3 million) if it proceeds.
Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School officials told the school committee Feb. 12 that a working group with Northern Essex Community College (NECC) is moving forward on a proposed shared‑campus model and that the Donahue Institute (UMass Donahue Institute) has prepared a preliminary report for the group.
John Reagan (Northern Essex) and the district reviewed next steps including a forthcoming final Donahue Institute recommendation, which will inform decisions about campus models, governance, shared spaces, program alignment and land use. Superintendent Marin Lynch said the district has been invited into the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) eligibility phase; invitation to a full feasibility study would require an additional vote by MSBA later this summer.
Financial context: administrators said the district would likely bear the cost of a feasibility study if the project advances, estimating $2–3 million for study work and noting that site selection and capital planning are unresolved. The Donahue Institute work and an architectural space‑utilization review will inform whether the district seeks an integrated single school, two schools sharing identity and services, or some hybrid model.
Next steps: the working group will meet again on Feb. 25 and expects to provide an outline of anticipated outcomes and a proposed timeline for decisions. Officials said they will share the Donahue Institute final report with the committee and the public when available.
