BOSTON — The North Shore's three high school vocational programs can officially merge, thanks to the work of local lawmakers and the signature of a Beverly resident.

Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, serving as acting governor for the vacationing Mitt Romney, yesterday signed legislation that establishes the Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School District. Once a new school is built, the district will encompass North Shore Technical High School, Essex Agricultural-Technical High School, and the Peabody Vocational High School.

The vocational program unification was propelled by the North Shore legislative caucus, led by Sen. Frederick E. Berry, D-Peabody, but the idea for the merger is about a decade old.

"The next step is for the communities to take matters into their hands and decide whether or not to participate in the new venture," said Sen. Bruce E. Tarr, R-Gloucester, another sponsor of the bill.

Tarr sees the new district as a catalyst for economic development.
Salem Mayor Stanley J. Usovicz agreed, adding that the merger will allow the area to make the most of traditional programs and new courses.

"It's a good thing clearly for this region," Usovicz said. "We have a labor force that needs to be modernized. There is a desperate need to see a well-educated work force."

The completion of the project is still at least three or four years away, however. Usovicz noted that some loose ends must be secured, such as district membership, the issuance of bonds, and the local share of the project. Though still in a preliminary phase before construction, some cost estimates are in the range of $100 million to $150 million.

Tarr said the merger will allow for a new facility, or facilities, with new-and-improved programs. The campus will be on the agricultural school's property in Danvers.

Berry, the Senate majority leader, envisioned more than 1,000 students in the new school, which he said would give nontraditional students a first-rate education.

"We've been working on the basic concept for a couple of years now," Berry said. "This is an important first step."
Essex Agricultural-Technical School, affectionately called "Essex Aggie," was established in 1913. The independent high school is based in the Hathorne section of Danvers. North Shore Technical High School, with specialties including graphic arts, carpentry, automotive technology, and information technology, is based in Middleton.

Romney amended the bill with a technical correction, so that the commissioner of the state Department of Education must certify the new district no later than July 1, 2009.

The new district will be responsible for student transportation, though there are limits set for nonresident students. The law establishes a series of school policies, including the creation of a 20-member school committee with members serving staggered three-year terms.

There are 38 vocational-technical schools in the state, including Greater Lawrence Technical School in Andover, according to the Massachusetts Vocational Association.