HAVERHILL — During their meeting on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, Haverhill city councilors expressed concern over a proposed state shift to a lottery system for vocational school admissions, warning the plan could reduce the number of Haverhill students accepted into Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School.
Councilor John Michitson opened the discussion with a detailed presentation on the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education’s May 20 vote to eliminate the use of grades, attendance, interviews, and recommendations in vocational school admissions. In their place, the state will implement a weighted lottery beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.
Under the new system, all applicants will be entered into a lottery, but schools may choose between a simple, non-weighted lottery, or one that gives extra weight to students with no disciplinary actions and fewer than 27 unexcused absences over the past 270 school days.
“Those weights make students with a clean record two to three times more likely to be admitted than students with no extra weight,” Councilor Michitson said. “It also meant to address vocational school leaders’ concerns about ensuring students are still motivated and ready for the non-traditional classroom environment.”
Councilor John Michitson said that following lobbying by vocational school administrators, the Massachusetts House of Representatives included language in its budget proposal to temporarily block the new lottery system. However, he noted the Senate had not done the same, adding, “so we’ll have to wait to see how the budget debate plays out.”
Councilor Michitson emphasized that the root of the problem is a lack of vocational school seats across the state. He said Governor Maura Healey has proposed adding 3,000 seats over the next three years, but warned the increase “is not nearly enough,” calling it “a good start” that requires substantial investment.
Councilor Shaun Toohey and Vice President Colin LePage expressed concern that academically strong Haverhill students could still be denied admission under either model.
Toohey questioned whether high-performing students with strong attendance records might be penalized under the new system. “We had the superintendent here yesterday,” he said, “and it seems the trend and I think all of us here have certainly advocated for more Haverhill students to get into Whittier…Haverhill enrollment…was about 70 to 72 percent. Now it’s down to 66 percent.” Toohey asked whether a student with excellent grades and attendance could still be denied a seat, and Michitson responded, “Of course.” Toohey then replied, “That’s a travesty.”
Toohey also raised concerns that the lottery could eliminate the flexibility Whittier Tech currently has in working with families on a case-by-case basis. “There are some students in the past that have had issues getting in, and I think some of our representatives have coached and assisted parents and how to turn their children around and, actually get in maybe mid-year or something like that,” Toohey said. “So I think the lottery will take that out.”
Councilor Colin LePage echoed Councilor Toohey’s concerns and emphasized that Whittier Tech’s leadership shares them. He referenced conversations with Superintendent Maureen Lynch, stating, “She’s concerned—the same concern that Councilor Toohey has and that I think we all have—is if we go the lottery route, Haverhill may get less seats than they currently do.” He added that Whittier Tech “strongly opposed” the proposed admissions change. While LePage acknowledged that Governor Healey’s plan to add 3,000 vocational seats statewide could ease pressure, he cautioned, “Does that get counter balanced by increased enrollment? Perhaps.”
Lepage and several councilors agreed that expanding the number of available seats is the only meaningful long-term solution. “More seats, more seats, more seats,” Lepage said. Councilor Katrina Hobbs Everett added that over 70% of Haverhill students are considered high needs, making the issue about more than just admissions methods.
Councilor Melissa Lewandowski supported greater access for underserved students but emphasized the importance of academic qualifications to ensure student success.
“We want students that are qualified academically and gonna be able to stay the course and be able to apply themselves to the school in that regard as well,” Lewandowski said.
As a long-term solution, Michitson advocated for the creation of local “career-connected learning consortiums” composed of schools, vocational institutions, nonprofits, businesses, and caregivers. He suggested these groups should be required to help each student who does not gain admission to a vocational school find an alternative career pathway. “Make that a hard requirement,” he said.
In other business, the council:
- Approved a $14.7 million loan for Phase 2 of the Locke Street sewer separation project, required under a federal consent decree to reduce wastewater overflows into the Merrimack and Little rivers.
- Reinstated the Council on Youth Needs, with five student voting members from grades 5 through 12, to advise the city on issues affecting youth.
- Approved a $1.32 million end-of-year transfer in the water budget to fund infrastructure and water supply improvements.
- Received an update from the public works director stating that Kenoza Lake is nearly full and the city is nearing the end of its drought watch.
- Approved an event permit for Creative Haverhill’s September 27 Art Walk.
Mayor Melinda Barrett closed the meeting with a proclamation declaring June 2025 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Haverhill, urging residents to celebrate the city’s diversity and stand against discrimination.
