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

The Whittier Tech School Committee on April 8 approved a set of routine and program items, including the 2026–27 school calendar, a new confidential administrative assistant job description included in the proposed budget, an overnight SkillsUSA state leadership conference trip, multiple sets of minutes, and the school business manager's contract following an executive-session negotiation.

Key votes and outcomes

- School calendar (2026–27): The committee approved the calendar presented by Assistant Superintendent Mr. Leanas. Highlights noted by Mr. Leanas included staff reporting days Aug. 31, students reporting Sept. 2, prom on June 1 and graduation early release on June 3. The motion passed on a roll-call vote of attending members.

- Administrative assistant job description: The committee voted to approve a draft confidential administrative assistant job description that the superintendent said is included in the new budget. The motion passed by roll-call vote.

- Overnight field trip — SkillsUSA state leadership conference (April 30–May 2): The committee approved an overnight trip for students to attend the SkillsUSA state leadership conference, with chaperones and required paperwork to be completed prior to departure. The motion passed on roll-call.

- Payments / treasury report: The committee approved payment of bills and received the treasury report presented by the business manager; the motion to approve payments passed on roll-call.

- Minutes and procedural approvals: The committee approved minutes from meetings on March 11, March 25 and related executive session minutes; one vote on March 25 executive session minutes recorded an abstention, otherwise the motions passed.

- School business manager contract: After convening in executive session under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30A §21(a) to conduct contract negotiations with non-union personnel, the committee returned to open session and approved the school business manager's contract by roll-call vote.

What this means: The approvals finalize the district calendar and several personnel/operational items ahead of the spring budgeting cycle. The business manager contract was approved following the authorized closed-session negotiation process required by state law.

Next steps: The superintendent said MSBA will consider the district for entry into a feasibility study at its June 24 meeting; any staffing or curriculum expansions referenced during the meeting would require follow-up planning and budget decisions at future committee meetings.