LYNNFIELD — The Wednesday School Committee meeting focused on a presentation by Superintendent Tom Geary in response to racial incidents occurring in the district, specifically at Lynnfield Middle School.
Chair Kristen Elworthy began the meeting, stating that while individual students and cases can’t be discussed, the meeting would focus on policy, structure, and accountability.
“After our March meeting, multiple families came forward describing moments when their child did not feel safe at school. We take that seriously on its own terms. Our job is to make sure that the system responds well every time for every student,” Elworthy said.
Geary then gave his presentation, first acknowledging the recent comments and actions that have occurred in the schools, apologizing to those who had to endure racism in the district.
“I’m the leader of the district, and responsibility and accountability start with me,” Geary said.
He continued by saying that they all want what is best for the students: positive and respectful relationships, a healthy school culture, and a strong commitment to student safety, physically and emotionally.
Geary’s presentation focused on how discipline-related decisions are made, the legal structures the school operates under, and some recommendations for the Committee.
He continued that while the recent incidents involved racism, the district would not tolerate any forms of bullying or hate speech.
Geary then showed data highlighting the number of investigations conducted in the schools last year compared to the number of confirmed incidents, noting a clear disconnect between the data and what the community has stated.
At Lynnfield High School, four investigations occurred, and there was one confirmed incident. At Lynnfield Middle School, three investigations occurred, and zero incidents were confirmed. At Huckleberry Hill School, one investigation occurred, and zero incidents were confirmed. At the Summer Street School, one investigation occurred, and one incident was confirmed.
He continued that when he first started, a little more than two years ago as superintendent, each school followed the same handbook, but they have since moved to school-level handbooks, revising them to fit the different schools.
“I want to be clear, I’m setting a different tone. And I want to embrace the handbooks and to administer discipline as they are laid out in our new handbooks,” Geary said, noting that the leveled handbooks included specific discipline for violations.
During the presentation, Geary used the middle school handbook levels as an example.
Level one is for simple offenses such as running in the halls, dress code violations, and cell phones, which would include consequences such as lunch detention or parent notification.
Level two would include leaving the campus without authorization or not serving your consequences. This could include a consequence such as after-school detention or any level-one consequence.
Level three increases in severity and includes theft of school property, fighting another student, vandalism of school property, and the use of abusive language to any member of the school community, including but not limited to racial, religious, ethnic, or sexual slurs.
“Consequences can be anything in level two. Also, this is where we get into short- or long-term suspension,” he said.
Level four are the most egregious offenses including weapons possession, assault, and bullying.
Due to a shift in state law moving discipline more toward a restorative practice, Geary noted that exclusion from school is not an immediate consequence outside of specific severe behaviors.
“We’re required to show that we’ve tried other methods, and that those have been unsuccessful,” he said.
Geary then spoke about suspension, saying that, as school leaders, they have a responsibility toward victims and aggressors, and that research shows that removing a student from the classroom is not the best for individual development. He continued that he understands the argument that a victim may feel more supported if they don’t have to see their aggressor at school, and that they will have to find the balance.
He also noted that, in accordance with the law, expulsion must be due to a very specific offense.
“A main priority for the School Committee and me is to set concrete steps moving forward,” he said.
Geary stated he was committed to vetting and purchasing a K through 12 social emotional learning curriculum next year to ensure there is a continuum that uses the same language through the schools.
Committee members Kate DePrizio and Kim Baker Donahue briefly discussed the policies being reviewed by the Policy Subcommittee, and Baker Donahue briefly went over what they had gone over so far, but it was noted that until legal and the administration can sit down and look over the policies, these were just possibilities and not set in stone.
All the Committee members chimed in on the discussion, including focusing on protecting all the students from bullying, updating the policies, and the importance of finding a principal who can lead and turn things around at the middle school.
