LYNN — Lynn Public Schools superintendent Molly Cohen joined the Student Advisory Committee Monday to discuss top priorities as they go over the FY27 budget. The moment served as an opportunity to hear directly from students on their experiences and areas for improvement, specifically when it comes to school attendance.
“For us to do our work, this year to next, we would need 16.6 additional million dollars. What we were given was 4.5 additional million dollars,” Cohen explained to the group while going over a presentation which outlined the major factors impacting the FY27 budget. That includes a 435 student enrollment decline, which, per the presentation, equates to the nearly $9 million decrease in funds.
The funds that are allotted to the budget is based on student enrollment, Cohen said, and while transportation, Sped tuition and health insurance costs have also increased. “Instead of purchasing additional curriculum materials, we are looking to utilize people to support students,” Cohen stated, later adding: “This means that we have to be highly critical about trying to invest in the services that we purchase, the curriculum, and materials that we purchase.”
She then asked the three Student Advisory members – Jason Mao of Frederick Douglass Collegiate Academy, Thomas Ok at Lynn English, and Amelia Stank of Lynn Classical High School – about their thoughts on what may attract or deter students from attending and what they feel are top priorities in schools.
The students brought up the importance of fostering a comfortable environment in schools and teaching meaningful courses that encourage students to attend class. They also highlighted clubs and programs, as well as having a personalized curriculum that can meet different students’ needs. “I think having diverse teaching styles within the classes is beneficial to students because everyone learns differently,” said Oak.
Mao also mentioned the limitations of transportation. “I know that it’s been difficult to get to school, especially with the snow days and the recent snowstorms that we’ve had, but even before that, I think that a transportation plays a major part, because if one student isn’t able to get the bus that they’re supposed to get, they’ll be late.”
The student’s feedback aligned with what Cohen identified as the “key levers” for both school and district improvements, including fostering family and community engagement. “The whole point here is to take this feedback, pull it into our budget planning, and then provide the adult professional development that our educators need to ensure that our students love coming to school and love learning,” said Cohen. “That’s what it’s all about.”
