LONDONDERRY — Students who wish to forego traditional college will continue to have the option of enrolling in technical programs during their junior and senior years at Londonderry High School.

Following a brief discussion on Tuesday night, the School Board voted in favor of renewing its career education contract with the Manchester School of Technology.

In order to implement career and technical education in the region, the state Department of Education has designated the Manchester School of Technology as a regional career and technical education center.

The center operates as a two-year instructional facility for high school juniors and seniors from Londonderry, Manchester, Goffstown and Bedford.

As a requirement of the program, participating districts must maintain an active career and technical education advisory committee that includes representatives for each career and technical education program area offered, along with school board members from each district.

Superintendent Nate Greenberg said the 10-year contract guarantees the district one-sixth of available seats for interested Londonderry juniors and seniors.

As part of the program, the district pays around one-quarter of tuition costs, with state funding covering the rest.

As of this week, 96 Londonderry students plan on attending this fall’s programs, Greenberg said.

The Manchester center offers various programs not available at LHS, including automobile mechanics, cosmetology and culinary arts.

For students interested in programs not available at the designated state career and technical educational center, opportunities are offered at other area schools when space is available.

“We have 27 students signed up to go to Alvirne High School (in Hudson) since our district doesn’t offer agricultural programs,” Greenberg said.

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