RE-VOKE? – Ferrino: Town should look into its relationship with Northeast Regional Vocational High School

Councillor-at-Large Joseph Ferrino certainly raised the eyebrows of townspeople when he suggested during the budget discussions Tuesday night that Winthrop seriously should look into its relationship with the Northeast Regional Vocational High School in Wakefield, perhaps even ending the policy of sending local students to the vocational school.

The question of whether Winthrop is mandated to provide a vocational education for students was also raised at Tuesday’s meeting. The issue was brought to light because Northeast is seeking an increase in its budget appropriation from the town and other communities in the Northeast Regional School District. Finance Director Michael Bertino said 50-55 students from Winthrop attend Northeast at an approximate cost of $12,000 per student. Interim Town Manager Larry Holmes said he will meet with Northeast Regional officials Friday and report back to the council at its next meeting.