Whittier Tech: Exploring a Shared Campus
Stakeholders in the Whittier District communities are exploring a shared campus model for Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School (WT) and NECC on the college’s Haverhill campus.
The overarching goal of this collaboration is to meet educational needs efficiently and affordably, expand access to postsecondary education, and increase enrollment capacity at both institutions.
View video on the NECC YouTube Channel.
On June 16th, the leaders of the 11 cities and towns of the Whittier School District came together and delivered a letter to Superintendent Maureen Lynch. They expressed their collective desire to work together in exploring options when it comes to addressing Whittier’s building needs. These options include potentially working with Northern Essex Community College – an option that presents a new vision for career readiness in our region and for our state.
Background
In April 2024, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced initial steps to explore a shared campus model for Whittier Tech on NECC’s Haverhill campus, a collaborative effort with state and local partners that aims to meet the evolving educational needs of the region’s students and communities, efficiently and affordably.
This partnership between WT and NECC will explore ways to create a new, modern facility for Whittier Tech, allow for expanded access to postsecondary education across northeastern Massachusetts, and increase enrollment capacity at both institutions. It will also open up new avenues for potential new funding sources in the Merrimack Valley.
News & Updates
June 18, 2025
Whittier Tech enters state building authority process
Whittier communities support school building project with signing ceremony
June 16, 2025
Whittier Tech and 11 Communities Unite to Launch New School Building Effort
Joint Letter of Support: HERE
March 28, 2025
Community Leaders Voice Optimism for New Whittier Tech High School and Local Cost-Sharing Arrangement
December 13, 2024
PDF: MSBA Eligibility Period Board Action Letter and Related Forms
November 26, 2024
Eagle-Tribune: Whittier Tech eyes NECC for new high school site
November 22, 2024
Whittier Tech Communities Sign Agreement to Work Together on Proposed NECC Shared Campus High School
November 13, 2024
PDF: Letter and Memo of Understanding Sent to the MSBA from NECC and WT
WT @ NECC Municipal Working Group
Town Managers, Town Administrators, and Mayors of the 11 Member Communities of Whittier Tech District meet to collaborative discuss options as we explore the next steps in the potential shared campus model being considered between Northern Essex Community College and Whittier Tech Regional Vocational High School.
Working Group Meetings
June 16, 2025
WT NECC Municipal Working Group met at Whittier Tech
Presentation: Next Steps with MSBA
Communication Plan
February 25, 2025
WT NECC Municipal Working Group met at Whittier Tech
Presentation: Levels of Collaboration
January 27, 2025
WT NECC Municipal Working Group Kickoff meeting was held at NECC
Presentation: Whittier Tech at NECC: A Share Vision for Career and College Readiness
UMass Donahue Institute Report
To gather and organize input from the 11 member communities supporting Whittier Tech, we contracted the UMass Donahue Institute (UMDI) to conduct research, interviews, and focus groups, aiming to complete a report by December 2024. We formed the NECC-WT Planning Group, a team of creative, big-picture thinkers, to guide this process.
FINAL NECC-WT Report for review
PDF: NECC-WT Report 2025
Public Listening Sessions
We sought YOUR feedback on potential future collaboration between Whittier Tech and NECC. Sessions were held on Zoom, audio was recorded, and participation was and voluntary. Four 90-minute sessions were facilitated by UMDI in October and November.
Planning Group
Led by NECC President Lane Glenn, WT Superintendent Maureen Lynch, and UMDI Research Director Mark Melnik, the NECC-WT Planning Group first met on August 27, 2024 to set goals, share resources, and ensure continuous progress in collecting feedback for the report.
Emphasis is placed on the importance of keeping all stakeholders, particularly local elected officials, informed throughout this process. While the group gathers feedback on whom to include in upcoming focus groups and one-on-one interviews, these are the goals:
- Replace the current high school with a safe, modern facility.
- Expand access to postsecondary education for WT students and the community.
- Increase WT enrollment capacity.
- Identify additional funding sources (e.g., state higher education capital, foundations, etc.).
Key Dates
| Date | Who | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| July 9, 2025 10:00 A.M. | Municipal Working Group | SBC Development & Site Visits |
| August 13, 2025 10:00 A.M. | Municipal Working Group | SBC Development & Site Visits |
| September 10, 2025 10:00 A.M. | Municipal Working Group | SBC Development & Site Visits |
Questions?
Phil DeCologero
President’s Director of Communications & External Affairs
Northern Essex Community College
978-556-3856
[email protected]
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