LYNNFIELD — Two Lynnfield residents, Brian Lambert and Jillian String, are seeking election to the School Committee, each citing long-standing involvement in public education and community service as motivation for their candidacies.
Lambert said his decision to run is grounded in both his role as a parent and his involvement with the district.
“I decided to run for School Committee because I care deeply about Lynnfield Public Schools, both as a parent and as a long-term advocate for our district,” he said.
Lambert noted that all three of his children attend Lynnfield schools and said he sees “firsthand the impact that School Committee decisions have on students, families, and educators.”
He also pointed to his volunteer and planning work within the district, stating, “I’ve spent the past several years working closely with the district through volunteer and planning roles, and I believe this is a good time to step forward and help support the next phase of progress.” Lambert currently serves on the District Strategic Planning Committee and volunteers with the Lynnfield Middle School PTO, in addition to coaching youth sports.
Lambert said that if elected, he would bring professional experience in “operational management, process improvement, and team leadership” to the Committee, particularly in the areas of governance and budget oversight.
He identified several priorities he believes should guide the committee’s work.
“First, maintaining a strong focus on student needs (academically, socially, and emotionally) must remain at the center of every decision,” he said.
He also emphasized “responsible long-term planning and financial oversight” and the importance of “strong governance, communication, and collaboration.”
String said she views the School Committee as central to the district’s success.
“The School Committee serves as the hub of the school community, and with that comes great responsibility,” she said.
She added, “By serving on this Committee, I want to bring the focus back to every student every day.”
String cited more than 20 years of experience working in public schools, including roles as a speech-language pathologist, co-teacher, educational advocate, and IEP Team Chairperson.
“Perspective is a powerful thing,” she said, adding that those roles have allowed her to experience “the ups and downs of public education from many angles.”
If elected, String said she would work “under the guidance of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) and in accordance with state and federal laws” to help evaluate and maintain district policies, participate in collective bargaining, and support the superintendent through budget oversight and approval of curriculum and school improvement plans. She also said she would serve as “a liaison between the community and the schools, prioritizing timely, two-way communication, and advocating for student growth.”
String described a range of professional experiences, including participation in bullying task forces, involvement during contract negotiations, and managing special education budget reductions.
“With good communication, there is always a middle ground to be reached,” she said.
In addition to her professional background, String said she has been active in the Lynnfield community through PTO events, yearbook creation, and youth sports. She also previously served as secretary for Lynnfield Pioneer Youth Football and Cheer.
String said she believes her experience offers a perspective that complements existing leadership.
“The new Committee needs someone who possesses more experience with how the budget actually impacts our classrooms,” she said. “What might look good on paper can often lead to major challenges in practice and end up being more costly for the district in the long run.”
Both candidates highlighted student-focused decision-making, accountability, and community engagement as central to their reasons for running for the Lynnfield School Committee.
