Old Lawrence High School Continues to Be Center of Learning

By Mark E. Vogler, The Eagle-Tribune, North Andover, Mass.

Jun. 17–LAWRENCE — A year after the old Lawrence High School graduated its final class, a lot of learning is still going on in the century-old building on Haverhill Street.

“We’ve got about 700 students participating in various programs,” Superintendent Wilfredo Laboy said last week.

“And these are the kids who traditionally didn’t have technology labs, a school cafeteria, gymnasiums, a library and other facilities. It’s a fully-used building that’s serving a lot of needs,” he said.

Since the new Lawrence High School campus, featuring six separate theme schools, opened last fall on Route 114, these programs have moved in the Old Lawrence High:

n The Adult Education Program. Students who were working toward graduate equivalency degrees or taking other adult courses previously attended class at the Saunders School.

n Newcomers program. High school-age students new to the country and dealing with English as a Second Language issues were previously being taught in trailers at the Storrow School.

n High School Learning Center Alternative Site for students who don’t succeed in the traditional setting. Courses were offered previously at the Saunders School.

n School for Exceptional Studies, special needs students in grades kindergarten through 12. Was previously at the Rollins School.

“After completion of the new Lawrence High school campus, Superintendent Laboy and his team have done a very effective job in moving some programs into the old building,” Lawrence Mayor Michael Sullivan said.

“This move has saved the taxpayers thousands of dollars,” said Sullivan, who chairs the city’s School Committee.

With new programs being moved into the old Lawrence High — now known as the North Common Educational Complex, the School Department is able to close several old school buildings.

Last week, the committee voted to discontinue educational use of the Storrow School and turn the building over to the city. Sullivan said a growing portfolio of old school buildings generates another potential revenue stream for the city.

“The Saunders and the Storrow schools are now part of the FY 09 budget in ‘Sale of Real Estate’ line item,” Sullivan said.

“I am working with the Planning Department and neighborhood groups to figure out the best end use for these buildings. Also, the General Donovan school has been vacant for two years now, so that building is also in the mix,” the mayor said.

At last Thursday night’s School Committee meeting, Sullivan vowed that his administration “is going to get very aggressive” in the marketing of old buildings that the School Department no longer has a need for.

“The worst thing we can do is leave the buildings vacant,” the mayor said.

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