LYNN — The Student Advisory Committee met on Monday afternoon to discuss the importance of student voices during this FY27 fiscal budget season, improving school climate, and amplifying student opportunities.
Among those present were the usual district administrators, such as Superintendent Molly Cohen and Deputy Superintendent Lori Gallivan, as well as newly elected School Committee member Tristan Smith, who served as a special guest speaker.
Smith, a first-time Committee member elected in 2025 and inaugurated earlier this year, was introduced as a “local attorney, an educator, an activist, and a coach,” emphasizing his commitment to student engagement. Notably, it was shared that he once served as a student representative on Swampscott’s school committee, drawing a direct connection to the students at the meeting.
“I’m really here more to listen than to speak,” Smith said. “I really want you all to feel that your words mean something.”
Smith highlighted the importance of student voices in the most recent School Committee meeting, where the public comments lasted over an hour regarding the FY27 fiscal budget. “The most effective speakers were the current students… advocating for those programs which they experience every single day,” he said.
Throughout his remarks, Smith traced his path from student involvement to public service, describing a lifelong exposure to civic engagement. From filming school committee meetings as part of a cable club to eventually serving on the committee himself, he emphasized that participation can take many forms.
“There are so many ways to get engaged in your community,” Smith shared with the student members, “You sitting on this committee is one of them.”
Member Jason Mao noted that “You don’t really come across someone who is so for the kids nowadays,” adding that it was meaningful to see a familiar face in a leadership role.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on bullying intervention and prevention, led by the district assistant director of compliance, Lauren Walsh.
The director of compliance officer, Charlie Gallo, informed the students that “The Lynn Public Schools and every district in Massachusetts has what’s called a bullying intervention and prevention plan. And the School Committee… is tasked with revisiting it every 2 years. And we’re coming up on that two-year mark.”
The presentation outlined the state’s legal definition of bullying, described as “the repeated use by one or more students or by a member of school staff…directed at a target” resulting in harm, fear, or disruption to the education environment.
Cohen acknowledged that while the legal definition appears clear, applying it in real-world situations can be complex.
Walsh elaborated on the challenges, citing misunderstandings influenced by the media portrayals and difficulties students may have in articulating their differences.
“It really is so intricate, and every situation is so different,” she stated. “The way a kiddo presents if they’re bullied is so individualized.”
The discussion also addressed the distinction between bullying and peer conflict, a frequent source of confusion among students and families. Walsh emphasized the importance of thorough investigation and ongoing safety planning, regardless of whether an incident meets the legal threshold for bullying.
Students were invited to provide feedback on school climate and how it intersects with bullying prevention. District data presented during the meeting suggested room for improvement, particularly in fostering stronger connections between students and adults within schools.
The committee also advanced planning for a student-led “Opportunity Fair,” aimed at connecting students with community organizations, volunteer opportunities, and extracurricular resources.
Rather than hosting a single large-scale event, the student advisory council will be holding smaller fairs at individual schools such as City Arts and Sciences Academy (CASA), Lynn Classical, and so on.
Next steps include students consulting with their school principals to determine how fair could be implemented locally, with plans to report back at the next meeting.
With ongoing discussions around budget priorities, school climate, and student opportunities, the advisory committee continues to serve as a platform for amplifying student voices and informing district decision-making.
