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Assabet Valley

Regional Technical/Vocational School District
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Administration

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Superintendent-Director

Mr. Ernest F. Houle

Mr. Houle was appointed Superintendent-Director of the Assabet Regional Vocational School District in December 2014 and has worked in career and technical education since 1996. He earned a bachelor's degree in Occupational/Vocational Education and a master's degree in Educational Leadership and Management through Fitchburg State University. Prior to his career at Assabet, Mr. Houle worked as a Metal Fabrication and Welding Technology teacher, Director of Community Education, and Principal at Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District in Lexington, Massachusetts. He and his family reside in Leominster.
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Principal

Mr. Mark Hollick

Mr. Hollick has served in the District and worked in public education since 1992. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Bridgewater State University and master’s degree at Framingham State University. He and his family reside in Hudson.
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Director of Business Operations

Ms. Maria Silva

My career started at Greater Lawrence Technical School in 2001 working in the payroll department.  In 2006 I then became the Executive Assistant to the Principal.  In 2011, I transitioned back into the Business Office as the Assistant Business Manager until 2014 when I became the School Business Administrator.  I earned my Bachelor's degree in Business Finance in 2003 and my MBA with a Master's Certificate in Forensic Accounting in 2013 all from Southern New Hampshire University.  In 2018, I completed my Masters degree in Middle and Secondary Education from American International College. I reside in Andover, MA with my family.
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Director of Academic Programs & Title I

Mr. Robert McCann, III

Mr. McCann has served in the district since 2000 and has worked in public education since 1998. Prior to coming to Assabet, Mr. McCann worked in the Worcester Public Schools. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Worcester State University. Mr. McCann previously worked as the Director of Curriculum at Assabet and taught for years in the Social Studies Department. Mr. McCann also teaches curriculum design to CTE teachers at Fitchburg State University as an adjunct professor. He and his family reside in Worcester.
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Director of Pupil Personnel Services

Mrs. Alyssia Berghaus

Mrs. Berghaus has served in the district and worked in public education since 2002. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Syracuse University. Prior to her career at Assabet, Ms. Berghaus worked in the Office of Residence Life at Syracuse University. She and her family reside in Maynard.
Staff Headshot from fall - 2021
Assistant Director of Career and Technical Education

Mrs. Maria Bennes

Mrs. Bennes has served the Assabet district since 2016, first as an instructor in the Biotechnology program before her current role in the Vocational Office. Mrs. Bennes holds a Master's Degree in Cognitive Science from Mount Holyoke College and a Master's Degree in Education from Fitchburg State College in Curriculum and Teaching. Prior to her career at  Assabet, Mrs. Bennes taught Research Methods and Scientific and Technical Writing courses at Mass Academy, the public high school within Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). Before becoming a teacher, Mrs. Bennes worked as the Training Director at the Umass Medical School Stem Cell Bank and Registry.  She and her family reside in Millbury, MA.
Page Contacts & Resources

Page Contacts & Resources

Mr. Ernest F. Houle, Superintendent-Director
EHoule@assabet.org | 508-263-9602
 
Mr. Mark Hollick, Principal
MHollick@assabet.org | 508-263-9610
 
Ms. Maria Silva, Director of Business Operations
MSilva@assabet.org | 508-263-9604
 
Mr. Robert McCann, III, Director of Academic Programs & Title I
RMccann@assabet.org | 508-263-9605
 
Mrs. Alyssia Berghaus, Director of Pupil Personnel Services
ABerghaus@assabet.org | 508-263-9626
 
Ms. Kara Westerman, Director of Special Education
 
Mrs. Katelyn Boudreau, Director of Education Technology and Digital Literacy
KBoudreau@assabet.org | 508-485-9430
 
Mr. Gerald (Jerry) Gahagan, Assistant Principal/Dean of Students, Grades 9&11
JGahagan@assabet.org | 508-263-9612
 
Mr. Patrick O'Rourke, Assistant Principal/Dean of Students, Grades 10&12
POrourke@assabet.org | 508-263-9620
 
Mr. Bryant Laflamme, Director of Technical Programs
BLaflamme@assabet.org | 508-263-9608
 
Mrs. Maria Bennes, Assistant Director of Career and Technical Education
MBennes@assabet.org | 508-485-9430

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Director of Education Technology and Digital Literacy

Mrs. Katelyn Boudreau

Mrs. Boudreau has been in public education since 2013. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Framingham State University and a Master’s Degree in Education from American International College. Prior to her career at  Assabet, Mrs. Boudreau worked in Sudbury Public Schools as a classroom teacher and in Hudson Public Schools as a Technology Integration Specialist. She and her family reside in Clinton, MA.
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Assistant Principal/Dean of Students
Grades 9&11

Mr. Gerald Gahagan

Mr. Gahagan has served in the district since 2007 and has worked in public education since 1997. He earned a bachelor's degree at Salem State College and a master's degree at Worcester State College. Prior to his career at Assabet, Mr.Gahagan worked as a business teacher and in various administrative positions for the Worcester public school system. He and his family reside in Worcester.
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Assistant Principal/Dean of Students
Grades 10&12

Patrick O'Rourke 

Mr. O’Rourke has served in the district and worked in public education since 2007. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Worcester State College and a master’s degree at Cambridge College. Prior to his career at Assabet, Mr. O’Rourke worked for the Department of Youth Services as a caseworker in the Worcester area. He and his family reside in Millbury.
Staff Headshot from fall - 2021
Director of Technical Programs

Mr. Bryant Laflamme

Mr. Laflamme has served the Assabet district since 2003. Prior to coming to Assabet, Mr. Laflamme worked in manufacturing and construction.  He earned his bachelor’s degree in Occupational Education Curriculum & Leadership from SUNY Empire State College and master’s degrees in Occupational Education from Fitchburg State University. Mr. Laflamme holds a Master Plumbing license, Oil Burner and Solidworks certifications.  Mr. Laflamme taught from 2003 until 2016 in the Advanced Manufacturing program and an academic engineering elective from 2008 - 2020. Mr Laflamme served as the Supervisor of Cooperative Programs and Placement from 2016 - 2020. He and his family reside in Douglas.
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Director of Special Education

Ms.Kara Westerman

Ms. Westerman has been in public education since 2004. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Worcester State University and  Master’s Degrees in Educational Leadership and Speech-Language Pathology. She is currently pursuing her Doctoral Degree at Capella University. Prior to her career at  Assabet, Ms. Westerman worked in Worcester Public Schools as a speech-language pathologist and evaluation team chairperson, in Spencer East-Brookfield Regional School District as Special Education Director, and in Boston Public Schools as a Special Education Director. Ms. Westerman also has taught graduate courses in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department at Worcester State University as an adjunct professor. She and her family reside in Auburn, MA