Whittier Tech Commits $2.5 Million for New School Building Feasibility Study

NEWBURYPORT -- March 11, 2026, Whittier Tech School Committee unanimously approves $2.5 million to fund a new MSBA feasibility study. The Whittier Regional Vocational Technical School Committee voted 11-0 Wednesday to appropriate $2,500,000 from its capital projects special revenue fund, which currently holds $2,902,837, to pay for a feasibility study examining four possible scenarios for the school's future: new construction at the existing 115 Amesbury Line Road site in Haverhill, new construction at the Northern Essex Community College Haverhill campus, or two renovation options. Business Manager Cosmas noted the MSBA required exact prescribed language for the motion and confirmed that any cost overrun beyond the $2.5 million would require a return to the committee for additional authorization. The committee also approved a one-year extension of its food service contract with Whitson's Food Service Management Company at a combined management and administrative fee of $75,301, reflecting a 4.2 percent CPI-based increase, and voted to schedule a special meeting on March 25 to review business manager candidates. The Massachusetts Department of Revenue certified the district's FY2026 excess-and-deficiency balance at $1,315,658.