LYNNFIELD– The two candidates for the Select Board seat listened to teachers and paraprofessionals Wednesday night and shared their visions about the future of the public schools.
The forum was hosted by the Lynnfield Teachers’ Association.
“Given what I was hearing, especially last year, and what I’ve seen unfold over the past two years, only further cements the need for leadership, vision, and strategic planning down the line over the next few years as to not just what the schools need, but what other town departments need,” Finance Committee Member Alexis Leahy said when asked why she decided to run for the Select Board.
“I want to continue to serve,” current Select Board member Joe Connell said, replying to the same question.
A representative of the LTA asked the candidates what their top priorities would be if elected.
“I would say right now, between now and 2026, the No. 1 (priority) is going to be the teacher’s contracts,” Connell said. “And right now we’re in ‘cruise mode’ for the public safety building.”
Connell also mentioned prioritizing the needed repairs and renovations for the existing Lynnfield Public Library and the high school library.
Leahy shared the same sentiments.
“I agree with the teachers’ contracts,” Leahy said. “On top of that, any capital improvements in town, what we’re possibly going to do with the library building, as well as public safety which is underway, and open space planning. We’ve got to figure out what our revenue options are.”
Representatives of the Teacher’s Association, which consisted of teachers and paraprofessionals from across all the schools in Lynnfield, then spoke about the important issues they are facing when working in the schools.
One of the paraprofessionals said that they don’t earn a living wage despite being the first to respond when a student needs help in a classroom. A middle school teacher said that a priority should be keeping class sizes low because “26 versus 19 students in a classroom makes a huge difference in middle school.” The teacher also expressed her concern about Lynnfield’s growing population which could lead to a “burst in the bubble.”
“We just got the list of kindergarteners for the next school year,” one teacher said. “And I don’t know where we’re going to put them.”
Leahy said that if elected, she plans on figuring out what the pressing matters are for the schools by talking to people directly impacted by the day-to-day needs of the schools, and that it’s important not to wait too long before something becomes a problem.
Connell reiterated that in his current work as a selectman, he has always met with the School Committee and is always aware of what needs to be accomplished with the schools, and that the key is to educate the community about the school’s needs so that they are more informed when they vote, despite not having kids in the Lynnfield Public Schools system.
