GARY HATHAWAY
Essex Tech School Committee member
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield School Committee unanimously voted to confirm Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District School Committee member Gary Hathaway’s reappointment during a Dec. 10 meeting.
Essex Tech’s School Committee consists of 20 members, 17 of which serve as representatives from the cities and towns that send students to the vocational high school. The commonwealth’s secretary of agriculture appoints three additional members. Under Essex Tech’s bylaws, moderators appoint town representatives to the Essex Tech School Committee and municipal school committees including Lynnfield’s are required to sign off on a moderator’s appointment.
Lynnfield School Committee Chair Kristen Grieco Elworthy said Town Moderator Steve Walsh had recommended that Hathaway be reappointed to another three-year term.
Superintendent Tom Geary said Hathaway’s term was slated to expire on Dec. 31.
“Essex Tech offers 24 career and tech programs for students to choose from in addition to traditional high school work,” said Geary. “Lynnfield typically sends between five and 10 students per year to Essex Tech based on applications. Our retention rate once students are there is quite high. It’s a beautiful campus with state-of-the-art buildings, facilities and equipment.”
School Committee member Jamie Hayman said that Essex Tech Superintendent-Director Heidi Riccio and Hathaway’s colleagues on the Essex Tech School Committee have supported his work on the panel since he started. He asked what are the current “hot button items” at Essex Tech.
“One the biggest issues we are dealing with right now and have been for quite a few years is we get way too many kids applying for the number of spots that are available,” said Hathaway. “All of the kids that are applying from the sending communities go through a process where they get interviewed. The non-sending communities have to do it by lottery. Right now, I think we have 1,267 applicants and 34 are from Lynnfield. They will take about 500.”
Hathaway said Essex Tech has 1,836 students enrolled.
“When I started, it was 1,400,” said Hathaway. “They are constantly trying to add space, but there is only so much they can do with what they have. I think the state should really build more of these schools because one of the reasons I think so many kids are applying is the cost of college is just out of sight.”
Hathaway said Lynnfield students have “a good selection” between Lynnfield High School and Essex Tech.
“I went to Lynnfield High and they can go to Lynnfield High,” said Hathaway. “They can come to the Tech and find themselves there.”
Elworthy said Essex Tech is a “beautiful” high school. She asked how students are accepted into the vocational high school.
“For the sending communities right now, it is merit-based,” said Hathaway. “For the non-sending communities, it’s just a lottery. The state is trying to make all of these types of schools do it by lottery because they feel some kids who should be getting in are not getting in. The problem is there are not enough of these schools. There is a shortage of these schools. They need to build a few more of these schools to keep up with the demand.”
School Committee member Jim Dillon asked if a student’s interest in a particular field is weighed and plays a role in the admissions process.
“I do believe they are weighed and the interview is one of the most important parts of it,” said Hathaway. “They take grades, attendance, discipline and other things like that into account too. Most kids are not going to be comfortable to sit down for an interview at that age. The people who do admissions know that and know what questions to ask. That is how they do it and they do the best they can to get the right kids there.”
Elworthy thanked Hathaway for coming before the School Committee to discuss his reappointment.
Hathaway thanked the School Committee for confirming his reappointment to the Essex Tech School Committee in an email sent to the Villager.
“It’s an honor to continue to be a part of the School Committee,” said Hathaway. “Essex Tech provides an incredible opportunity for the young people in our community and I am proud to play a small part in that. The education and skills that our students get here empower them to find fulfilling and important careers or pursue higher education. Most importantly, we help our students become well-rounded citizens.”
Former Town Moderator Arthur Bourque first appointed Hathaway to the Essex Tech School Committee in 2016.
“My first meeting was May 2016,” said Hathaway.
