North Andover School Committee Accepts $75,000 Grant to Launch Biomedical Science Pathway

NORTH ANDOVER — March 12, 2026 — North Andover School Committee accepts $75,000 biomedical science grant and hears mid-year data showing 67 percent fewer high school class skips. The committee voted unanimously Thursday to accept a grant from the 108 Foundation to launch a Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science Pathway at North Andover High School, funding teacher professional development, equipment, and materials for a three-course sequence launching next fall. High School Principal Deb Holman reported class skips for grades 10 through 12 are down 67 percent year over year, crediting a rapid parent-notification system and the "bell to bell, no cell" phone policy, which 97 percent of students called clearly communicated. Middle School Principal George Gonsalves disclosed that approximately 215 students — roughly a quarter of enrollment — have been identified as needing additional reading support, but the district currently has capacity to serve only about 103 of them, flagging a staffing need heading into budget season. Superintendent Pam Lathrop confirmed that Town Meeting on May 12 will include a vote on a $79.8 million bond for a new Kittredge School building, with the Massachusetts School Building Authority expected to reimburse 36.6 percent of the cost.