Rob O’Dwyer: Regional School Committee Candidate for Winthrop

I am writing to respond to the recent article that I am quoted in regarding Winthrop and our vocational high school, Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School.

First, I disagree with the sentiments of the writer. This includes the misleading title and the unnecessary criticism of leadership regarding the relationship with NE Metro and how it relates to the concept of apportionment, which is our share of seats as a sending community. In reading the article, it can be interpreted as somewhat insulting by students, alumni, parents, and leadership to name a few groups.

I am grateful for the experience, and in the future I will ask if the writer has any intentions on the theme. I will also ask to see a draft before publication. I had a phone call with the writer that I wrongly assumed was more of a casual screener, and asked at the end about meeting in person for the interview. He said that the phone call was the interview. Yes, that is on me, yet it is worth mentioning because the tone and context of my quotes in the article are not a true representation of the conversation.

Here are some reflections:

It is not accurate or fair to say that Winthrop is one of NE Metro’s most disinterested communities.

Distance and the commute are known, and the bussing service is available and adequate.

I regret sharing my personal experience, as it reads to me that it leverages a ‘dilemma’, that may be more about personal and family choice, which I’m grateful that people in Winthrop have.

There are no plans for satellite expansion of vocational training as far as I am aware. I mentioned the Viking Longship program, and talked about my own high school experience in the 1980’s where vocational training access was still more common in smaller high schools. The ’ship has sailed’ comment was connected to the evolution of regional vocational schools within that context, and not as some current discussion.

After the last School Committee meeting, we learned about the Early College program statistics of having the largest percentage of participants in the state. I emailed the writer, and posted on this as a way to celebrate what students are doing. It is not a ‘main act of boundary breaking’. It is student exposure and experience. It is not helpful to create a false narrative that academic and vocational experiences are mutually exclusive, especially when it comes to young people.

The theater in the new building was not in question from a building or budget point of view to my knowledge. I did make a comment about the advantages, though I did not have to ‘successfully defend’ the concept.

The valedictorian did not ‘turn down’ scholarship money. He did take a job that also came with educational benefits and the use of a vehicle.

I will add that the writer’s initial outreach led with a question about why I don’t attend more Town Council meetings, and with the assumption that I was dragged into the role as a write-in candidate that was not interested in service. It is not common or part of a sending town representative's responsibility to attend Town Council meetings, and I have attended when invited. I share this because it sets a tone that leans more toward adversity rather than relationship building.

I hope that this response is helpful in bringing clarity to my stance as Winthrop’s School Committee Representative at Northeast Metropolitan Vocational High School.

Winthrop sits out voke school surge As the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational Technical School nears the opening of its new $317 million home, amid a jump in demand for career-focused training, Winthrop remains one of its mos…

Happy Holidays to all of the Northeast Metropolitan students, families, staff, faculty, alumni, advisors, employers and sending towns! NE Metro is your vocational high school:)

At the NE Metro School Committee meeting last night, the Culinary Arts program hosted a Holiday Party where they made hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows, appetizers and desserts. Superintendent Dave DiBarri asked the students and faculty to gather to be celebrated, and then asked what towns students were from. Out of a dozen who were there, one Junior was from Winthrop, which is good representation by coincidence for our apportionment!

Each of the twelve sending towns has a percentage of student spots based on population. Winthrop currently has over 60 students attending this year, which fulfills what is available for us. The Admissions Team at NE Metro are diligent in recruiting and maintaining student body apportionments from sending towns. Whenever there is movement, if a student leaves, the Admissions Team goes to the waitlist to replace them from the sending town first.

The new building is on schedule to open it’s doors to students this coming September, 2026! There is a plan to increase enrollment incrementally, so that each year has about 400 students each. The increase in access and enrollment is long overdue, as well as thee significant upgrade in facilities as the current building was opened in 1965.

Last night we learned that NE Metro has the highest percentage of Early College participants in MA. Commendable for a vocational high school where most students have the skills and opportunities to go right into the workforce! Here is a picture of me and fellow Committee Representative from Stoneham, Larry Means. We are wearing NE Metro Early College Academy hoodies made by the Design & Visual Communications program:)

https://winthroptranscript.com/2025/12/04/council-gets-updateon-voke-school-project/

Council gets updateon Voke school project – Winthrop Transcript News Council gets updateon Voke school project by Adam Swift • December 4, 2025 • 0 Comments The new Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School in Wakefield is scheduled to open for students in September of 2026. The newly expanded school will allow its 12 sending communities, in...

NEMT Open House
Northeast MetroTech High School Open House
Wednesday November 5, 2025
6:00 pm-8:30 pm
Self-Guided Tours and Live Demonstrations

All Applications due March 1, 2026
Apply online at http://nmt.go2cte.com

Students interested must reside in one of the following communities
Chelsea, Malden, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Revere, Saugus,
Stoneham, Wakefield, Wi******er, Winthrop, and Woburn

For additional information please visit our website at www.northeastmetrotech.com
or email the admissions office at [email protected]

Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School

Congratulations to the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School Class of 2025!

Here are some amazing statistics from Superintendent David DiBarri’s speech at graduation:

Over 75 Abigail Adams scholarships awarded each year, recognizing academic achievement.

87 students earned the Seal of Biliteracy, proving proficiency in English and at least one other language—a skill that will serve graduates well in college and careers.

More than 50 medal winners in our SkillsUSA competition, with one student advancing to nationals!

44 district winners in DECA, who competed at the state level, bringing home multiple victories.

In our first year offering Early College courses, over 120 students took advantage, earning credits transferable to any college in Massachusetts.

131 students participated in Co-op, ensuring graduates are ahead of the curve as they enter the workforce.

https://northeastbuildingproject.com/2025/03/28/northeast-metro-tech-clears-another-hurdle-on-pathway-to-building-new-school/

Northeast Metro Tech Clears Another Hurdle on Pathway to Building New School WAKEFIELD — Superintendent David DiBarri is pleased to share that Northeast Metro Tech’s plan to construct a new school has once again been affirmed as meeting all required wetlands protectio…

Please vote today. YES for the schools and YES for the firefighters. Winthrop is worth it!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19JErYohGj/?mibextid=WC7FNe

The Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School Administration is pleased to inform the community that over the past weekend and into Tuesday morning the new project was able to help enable the Towns of Saugus and Wakefield in their efforts to fight the latest brush fire outbreaks in Breakheart Reservation.

The project contractors, working with Wakefield Town Permitting Departments, were recently able to install new water lines and hydrants up to the new school site. Using the new accessway and these hydrants, both Saugus and Wakefield Fire Departments were able to provide water for firefighting through the project site and into the affected areas. Thank you to all the first responders involved.

Thank you all for voting yesterday! Special thanks to the volunteers at the polls and to Jeff Turco for State Representative.

I will update here when all of the votes are counted from sending communities on the outcome.

Hello friends and neighbors! Please DM me your address so I can drop stickers off for you, or if you want to physically write my name and address in I will send that info.

Thank you for supporting this write in campaign to keep me as your representative to the Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School!

Trades are an excellent investment for people and our community!

Hello friends and neighbors! I am running a write in campaign to continue to represent Winthrop on the School Committee for Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School.

I will have stickers available with my name and address that you can place on the ballot for the Winthrop Representative for Northeast Metro School Committee.

Private message me with your address if you would like some stickers, please. Thank you!