ANDOVER — Greater Lawrence Technical School Superintendent John Lavoie said he has made the “difficult decision to retire” after 15 years in the role and more than four decades at the school.
Over the last year Lavoie has faced pressure over a $337,000 salary he was slated to receive and the compensation other administrators earn at the school. He began his career with the district as early as 1973 as a carpentry instructor before leaving and then returning to the school as superintendent in 2010 at the age of 60.
“This decision was not made lightly,” said Lavoie in an email to the Greater Lawrence Technical School Committee Thursday night.
“I have truly loved every moment of my career, and it has been an incredible privilege to serve in a profession that has brought me such purpose and joy. However, I now look forward to spending more time with my wife and family, who have always supported my continued work with unwavering patience and love.”
“They are excited for this next chapter, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be more present with them.”
He drew flak in Methuen particularly, where city councilors have attacked him over his salary, while at the same time praising his work and experience.
During his time as superintendent, the school has grown from 1,200 students to 1,837 students, according to state statistics and Lavoie. At a Methuen council meeting last year, he told officials that under his tenure student graduation rates have climbed from 90 to 99.8%.
Lavoie said in a statement last year that the school had also added 11 new career technical programs.
School Committee Chair Thomas Hatem said he had received a retirement letter from Lavoie late Thursday night and asked Lavoie to stay on for an additional six months so that a replacement could be sought. He explained due to the timing they agreed it would make sense for him to stay on the rest of next year.
Hatem said it would be hard to replace Lavoie, but the committee would meet in September for the search process. He added he would be looking to other nearby vocational schools, like Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, to determine appropriate compensation.
He said the committee might also pursue outside counsel to help. Hatem said he would be looking for a new superintendent with both classroom experience in the trades as well as experience as an administrator.
“John Lavoie fit the bill perfectly,” said Hatem. “We need someone who can handle vocations, not just academics.”
Lavoie graduated, with a specialization in carpentry, from the vocational school in 1968. Alongside teaching at the school he also worked in administration at both the Shawsheen Valley Technical High School and Greater Lowell Technical High School.
Hatem said Lavoie’s high pay was a result of him remaining on the job for an unusually long time for superintendents in Massachusetts.
“Nobody gets more than five years out of a superintendent,” he explained in reference to the high turnover rate for the top school job.
On June 10, Lavoie faced a largely hostile Methuen city council with members continuing to attack his salary as well as the city’s contribution to the school, which Lavoie responded was decided by the state.
During Lavoie’s visits to the Methuen council, he has been asked multiple times to explain his salary.
The vocational school serves Andover, Lawrence, Methuen and North Andover.
Lavoie expressed gratitude in his letter reflecting back on five decades in education.
“Serving as your superintendent-director has been one of the greatest honors of my life. The past 15 years have been marked by collaboration, innovation and a shared commitment to student success,” he said. “Together, I believe we have made a lasting impact on the lives of countless students, young people who are now contributing to our communities in meaningful and inspiring ways.”