ANDOVER — Greater Lawrence Technical School Superintendent John Lavoie has announced that he will retire at the end of next school year, ending a 15-year tenure as superintendent and more than four decades of service at the school.
“This decision was not made lightly,” Lavoie wrote in an email to the Greater Lawrence Technical School Committee on Thursday night. “I have truly loved every moment of my career, and it has been an incredible privilege to serve in a profession that has brought me such purpose and joy. However, I now look forward to spending more time with my wife and family, who have always supported my continued work with unwavering patience and love. They are excited for this next chapter, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be more present with them.”
Lavoie began his career with the district in 1973 as a carpentry instructor before leaving and returning in 2010 to serve as superintendent at age 60. He graduated from the school himself in 1968 with a specialization in carpentry and also held administrative roles at Shawsheen Valley Technical High School and Greater Lowell Technical High School.
Photo credit: Greater Lawrence Technical School
During his tenure, the school grew from 1,200 to 1,837 students, according to Lavoie and state statistics. At a Methuen City Council meeting last year, he reported graduation rates increased from 90% to 99.8% under his leadership, and 11 new career technical programs were added, CNHI reported.
Despite these accomplishments, Lavoie has recently come under scrutiny—particularly from Methuen city councilors—for a $337,000 salary he was slated to receive, along with broader concerns over administrative compensation. On June 10, he appeared before a largely hostile Methuen council, where members again questioned his pay and the city’s contribution to the school. Lavoie responded that school funding levels are set by the state.
Greater Lawrence Technical School Committee Chair Thomas Hatem confirmed he received Lavoie’s retirement letter late Thursday night, CNHI reported. Hatem said he asked Lavoie to remain for an additional six months to allow the district time to find a replacement, and Lavoie agreed to stay on the rest of the year.
Hatem said it is going to be hard to replace Lavoie, adding that the committee will meet in September to begin the search process. Hatem said the committee would evaluate compensation models at other nearby vocational schools such as Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School and may seek outside counsel to assist with recruitment.
“We need someone who can handle vocations, not just academics,” Hatem said. “John Lavoie fit the bill perfectly.”
Hatem attributed Lavoie’s high pay to his unusually long tenure, noting, “Nobody gets more than five years out of a superintendent.”
Greater Lawrence Technical School serves the communities of Andover, Lawrence, Methuen, and North Andover.
In his letter, Lavoie reflected on his five decades in education and the impact of vocational training on the community.
“Serving as your superintendent-director has been one of the greatest honors of my life. The past 15 years have been marked by collaboration, innovation and a shared commitment to student success,” he said. “Together, I believe we have made a lasting impact on the lives of countless students, young people who are now contributing to our communities in meaningful and inspiring ways.”