SAUGUS — High School students are set to file into Town Hall on May 1 as they prepare to take on the roles of their local government for the first time in five years.
Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta shared her thoughts on the day and what the schedule will look like.
“The Board of Selectmen voted on a proclamation announcing that May 1, 2025, would be designated Student Government Day in Saugus, Panetta told the Item. “This is the first time that we have coordinated a student government day since 2019 (pre-COVID). We are very excited to continue this annual tradition on May 1, where I’ve been working with Patricia Prizio, who is a math teacher at the Saugus Middle High School, to coordinate this event.”
She added that the dedication Prizio has shown is sincerely appreciated, as the teacher has continued to work with students over the past few months to prepare them for the day. Prizio has even invited town officials to meet with her students to discuss their roles and ask questions.
The day will begin at 8 a.m. with students arriving at Town Hall.
“After introductions and a question/answer period, a mock Selectmen meeting will be held, where an agenda has already been prepared for the students for this mock meeting,” Panetta said. “This will be followed by a School Committee meeting and a Town Meeting, with breaks in between each mock meeting.”
The mock Selectmen meeting will go from 8:30 – 9:20 a.m., the mock School Committee meeting will go from 9:30 – 10:20 a.m., and the mock Town Meeting will go from 10:30 – 11:20 a.m., according to the schedule.
There will be a question and answer period after the final meeting and lunch will be sponsored by Kowloon and the Saugus Business Education Collaborative, according to Panetta.
“It will be a day filled with learning, excitement, and fun. I want to also thank our Town Manager and staff for their assistance with this important event, along with my fellow Board of Selectmen members, School Committee, and Town Meeting members,” she said.
Panetta also shared why Student Government Day is so important.
“The importance of Student Government Day is to give students government experience in problem solving, collaboration and developing leadership skills,” she said. “They will learn public policy, have a better understanding of our Town’s charter and bylaws, and gain insight into the responsibilities of the roles of our government. I believe this hands-on experience, working alongside a governmental official, will provide these students with sustained learning, especially through debate, teamwork, and civic engagement.”
