Why do school committees exist? We don’t elect police committees, fire committees, or DPW committees. Why aren’t school superintendents left solely to run their departments without meddling from some whose primary focus, at times, seems to be re-election? Superintendents are the professionals, along the lines of police and fire chiefs, answerable to the mayor.
But these are questions for another day.
Today, we will focus on highly credentialed challengers vying for election to the Lynn School Committee. Taken together, they offer something rare in today’s politics: gifted alternatives and, therefore, genuine optimism.
We are fortunate that each brings experience, professionalism, and seemingly a commitment to transparency and accountability. Together, they represent a chance to restore stability to the city’s education system.
Tristan Smith’s candidacy is rooted in firsthand experience within Lynn Public Schools and with students in general. Having served as a substitute teacher for nine years and as a cross-country and track coach for a decade, Smith has developed an understanding of the challenges facing the school district and the needs of students. Civic involvement also seems to run through him. He sits on the Lynn Youth Adolescence Task Force and co-founded All Lynn Track and Field, a nonprofit that organizes annual youth track meets.
Now an attorney, Smith aims to bring his knowledge of law and policy to improve governance and address inequities. His platform centers on increasing transparency and building stronger communication among the School Committee, teachers, and families. “I want to amplify our voices by partnering with other school districts dealing with funding issues firsthand to create a more equitable model for funding,” Smith said.
Smith’s family has long been active in public service; his father, Jim, and cousin Steve Walsh both served as state representatives for Lynn, and his aunt Debbie Smith Walsh was a city councilor and School Committee member. His campaign stands apart from legacy politics, focusing on pragmatic reform and a belief that better governance can rebuild public trust.
His future is bright.
Brenda Ortiz McGrath offers a blend of educational leadership, policy experience, and community engagement that few can match.
A former principal in Waltham Public Schools and now the director of social work, social-emotional learning, and specialized student support for Chelsea Public Schools, Ortiz McGrath’s career has centered on improving outcomes for students in urban settings.
She is pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership at American International College, with research focused on how early social-emotional learning programs can enhance academic success and graduation rates.
Ortiz McGrath also serves as vice president of the Lynn Hispanic Scholarship Fund and as a commissioner on the Essex County Commission on the Status of Women. Her recognition as a 2025 leadership fellow with the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) underscores her commitment to evidence-based reform.
“I’ve spent my career building systems that lift students and support educators,” she said. “On the School Committee, I will lead with transparency, collaboration, and authentic thought partnership with students, families, and educators—ensuring every decision reflects what’s best for Lynn’s children.”
Stacy Bryant-Brown, a graduate of Lynn Classical, brings more than three decades of experience working directly with the city’s youth. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Salem State University and has served as a juvenile court officer for more than 30 years, currently working in Lynn.
Bryant-Brown’s campaign centers on improving mental health and trauma support for students, advocating for fair wages and teacher retention, reducing class sizes, and ensuring safer school facilities. Her long tenure in juvenile justice gives her a unique, ground-level understanding of the challenges facing local youth and families.
“Our schools need someone who understands what our youth are truly facing,” Bryant-Brown said. “I would like to represent their voices to not only express their needs, but to also provide teachers with the support to handle their challenges. I will use my decades of firsthand experience to make informed decisions that reflect the realities our youth face every day.”
Julie Pyram Dorsey brings a multifaceted perspective to the race, combining classroom experience with an understanding of the social and economic factors that shape student success. Currently a business and criminal law teacher at Peabody High School, she previously taught at Fecteau-Leary Middle School and worked as a substitute teacher in all 27 schools across the Lynn district.
Her background in low-income housing management gives her firsthand experience with the struggles many families face, housing insecurity, delinquency prevention, and navigating the courts.
“My campaign is built on the values of equity, opportunity, and community partnership,” she said. “I am committed to transparency, collaboration, and student-centered decision-making. My goal is to ensure that every student in Lynn has access to quality education, supportive teachers, and a safe environment that encourages learning and growth.”
The emergence of challengers such as Smith, Ortiz McGrath, Bryant-Brown, and Dorsey – along with incumbents Lenny Pena and Eric Dugan and a highly educated former School Committee member in Mayor Jared Nicholson – suggests that the city has the leaders willing to confront the culture of dysfunction and bring professionalism back to public service.
If they’re elected, maybe we can even be able to hang onto a superintendent.
