Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Msba Shared Campus topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Whittier Tech moves forward with MSBA eligibility push for shared campus with Northern Essex Community College
Summary
Whittier Tech officials told the school committee they have secured preliminary MSBA approval to pursue a feasibility study for a shared campus with Northern Essex Community College and must deliver municipal letters and an amended regional agreement by July 1 to begin MSBA eligibility on Aug. 1, 2025.
Whittier Regional Vocational Technical officials reported to the school committee that the district has been invited back into the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) eligibility process for a proposed shared campus with Northern Essex Community College.
Mr Regan, who presented the update, said the MSBA’s invitation represents an opportunity to study a shared campus model intended to “enhance efficiencies, reduce costs and create innovative educational opportunities” for the region. He said the district must submit several deliverables, including letters from each municipal chief executive indicating readiness to amend the existing regional vocational school agreement, before July 1 for the district to enter the MSBA eligibility period on Aug. 1, 2025.
The presenter also told the committee that the district would be responsible for the cost of the feasibility study if it proceeds. A municipal working group of up to two representatives from each member community — including town managers or mayors and an optional designate — is scheduled to begin meetings on Jan. 27 at Northern Essex to assess viability and next steps.
Superintendent Lynch and other administrators said the district will prioritize open communication with member communities while the working group addresses financing, sites and a recommended regional agreement. Officials noted a near-final UMass Institute report with recommendations is expected in mid‑February and will be shared with committee members before being released publicly.
The committee did not take a formal vote on a final agreement at the meeting; administrators described this as an early-phase, information‑gathering stage and said any formal commitment would require further municipal approvals and explicit votes.
Next steps: the working group will convene on Jan. 27; the district must collect municipal signatures and finalize deliverables to remain in the MSBA pipeline ahead of the July 1 deadline.
