[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6219964,"mediaKeyId","3618933-a5d0822bf56fdd76694fd3c4b6793d3f","parentId",3618933,"title","Lynn Public Schools reports mixed climate, language and achievement results; district plans targeted follow-ups","audioSeconds",2332,"startMs",6420000,"endMs",8752000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3618933-a5d0822bf56fdd76694fd3c4b6793d3f&start=6420&end=8752","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3618933-a5d0822bf56fdd76694fd3c4b6793d3f/thumbnail_6420000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6219964/Massachusetts/Lynn-Public-Schools-reports-mixed-climate-language-and-achievement-results-district-plans-targeted-follow-ups","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219964-744b7af7989869d56b0719ca1901e802/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139058&Signature=Dm2htXtHEzxbRJ~~3eJAj-4ppj~HGXSOF~SGO610lqY7ICZ~2--1rlRf0h1J~ovm0Rq48T0g0-HnMVpkVf~M9ZaLUDeAtAxNnoD7ZU5q9QzQr3VJ4gn3~T9hl91BlbATgSgoFlhkU2uu9nL7siIE7MRZNdJZskPlRz2A931dgGjp7q51HsYjmTStIfIjCJtKe~VO9yV8ONzxbzdWSfTQVp2T10Mutk1WBazl8EaTAAUF3Ef0~8X7SuhnjHcsgycmjh6xGtM3M~ys1SBYAT9xmyycRXUXSauFqpsNIKpykuBz5bBPQ0dL1FCcJs16ITboS41eN-0j1AgZXhyRy6Z1sQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lynn Public Schools, MA","date","2025-05-30T18:18:49Z","article","District staff presented a spring data snapshot showing mixed results across climate, multilingual‑learner outcomes and benchmark achievement measures, and laid out next steps to use the data for targeted supports.

Key findings: The spring student climate survey, administered districtwide, produced an overall favorability score of about 80.5 percent; the domain ranked lowest was school engagement at 66 percent. The presenter described participation of roughly 9,500 students in the fall administration and slightly fewer in the spring, and said the survey had been expanded to additional languages this year.

Language progress: WIDA ACCESS results for winter 2025 showed an average scale score of 2.88 (on WIDA’s 1–6 scale) and a district improvement in the “making progress” accountability indicator to about 41 percent, an increase of roughly 8.9 percentage points from the prior year. Staff noted attainment (students exiting EL status) also reached its highest five‑year level in the current cycle.

Local benchmark (I‑Ready) snapshots: Mid‑year I‑Ready results showed gains in reading and math at several grades and emphasized strong movement in some early grades. The district reported a 5.4 percent increase in students on or above grade level in ELA from fall to winter; second grade math showed a notable improvement in students 3 or more grade levels behind (reported a reduction from 63 percent to 40 percent in that subgroup). Presenters noted the assessment correlates moderately with MCAS and will inform targeted supports.

Disaggregated results and equity concerns: Presenters highlighted variations by subgroup. For example, dually identified students (multilingual learners with an IEP) showed similar average WIDA scores to other multilingual learners but were making progress and attaining exit from EL status at lower rates, an equity gap the district said requires coordinated supports.

Planned actions: Staff said the point of the snapshot is to inform action. The district plans further school‑level inquiries into schools that exceeded belonging goals, capacity building via a summer leadership institute, focused case‑study work with principals and teachers, and a landscape analysis of existing supports to identify what is or is not working. The presenter summarized the approach: \"the data is our roadmap\" and said the district intends to move from reflection to targeted interventions.

Why it matters: The data helps the district prioritize supports for multilingual learners, dually identified students and schools with low engagement scores. Administrators and teacher leaders said they would use the findings to shape professional learning and resource allocations ahead of the next school year.

Ending: The district asked the committee and public to view the snapshot as a starting point, and said more detailed reports and school‑level analyses will be shared in follow‑up sessions and meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lynn School Committee Meeting - May 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District staff presented spring results from a new full‑district student climate survey, WIDA ACCESS language assessments and mid‑year I‑Ready checks, showing strengths in diversity inclusion and gains in some literacy and language measures alongside ongoing gaps in engagement and subgroup progress.","taxTitle","Lynn Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",13444,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6219969,"Teacher cabinet proposes seat shifts, Casa and expansions to ease secondary overcrowding; school renaming approved",0,5702000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3618933-a5d0822bf56fdd76694fd3c4b6793d3f&start=5702&end=5702","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3618933-a5d0822bf56fdd76694fd3c4b6793d3f/thumbnail_5702000.jpg","/articles/6219969/Massachusetts/Teacher-cabinet-proposes-seat-shifts-Casa-and-expansions-to-ease-secondary-overcrowding-school-renaming-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219969-a19ce34d59f3cbe5e83bbe5c02d7e062/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176082&Signature=VNi-O8oyW8gv25t4qOynkQKBPVi8H09IvihyeA9maGjNS9TpuJ-R93wNSdFVCf~f~36zQht42ZjptEwsPpDyM4vR70Vv-u7pcRBdz4r7fZNVnfpEUmtcWWa~J~ltrpQgFZsuk-kdcISMrUVV7yfb8svQEJS8c7RQDo8vU2cY-zCe4UFqqjE~tQxqCSFxmvVM5YUEA9oVO6MfCZQaGjEXgoueLAhTNSGg2uzS3A7FQdDFq4tAkwV1uj8k1a5fS5X3cY3oDJrO3bKsTA7PpCoJWORefgbFZFhgwcAgRAgoU6J74NeivhDlYpu0SD4sViGmT3IRZNR~nCF2A1-GpWq-9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A presentation from the superintendent’s secondary teacher cabinet outlined severe overcrowding at Lynn’s secondary schools and proposed a short list of actions — from a facilities needs assessment to creative funding strategies — intended to reduce pressure at Lynn Classical and Lynn English high schools.

Teacher leaders Jacqueline Feldman and Carrie Boudreaux told the School Committee the root cause is simple: enrollment has grown faster than new or expanded secondary facilities. Feldman said, “enrollment has grown in LPS, but new facilities have not kept up with enrollment and the pace of enrollment,” and she and cabinet colleagues identified instruction taking place in gyms, libraries and hallways and a lack of confidential spaces for counseling and IEP work.

Proposed seat relief and short‑term moves: The cabinet’s analysis projected several ways to relieve seats in 2025–26 if planned expansions proceed. Presenters listed an estimate that ninth graders attending Frederick Douglass Collegiate Academy (FDCA) and Casa would total about 326 students; they said sixth graders attending Casa could number roughly 150 and cited a projection of about 300 eighth graders attending LVTI in changes that would shift seat demands away from Classical and English. The cabinet also sketched projected enrollment relief at specific buildings.

Action plan: The teacher cabinet set out five priority actions: 1) a districtwide facilities needs assessment to measure classroom and non‑classroom usage; 2) long‑term facilities planning, including modular classrooms or wings as options; 3) creative funding strategies (state/federal grants, partnerships and fundraising); 4) smarter scheduling or flexible shifts at the high‑school level; and 5) transparent, ongoing communication with staff and families. The presenters recommended deeper data gathering, tours and grant writing as immediate follow‑ups.

Questions about Casa and timeline: Committee members pressed administration and project managers about Casa’s renovation timeline and contingency planning. Some committee members and public speakers asked what would happen if grant funding or project timelines slipped; administrators said work is staged, contractors are in place for key items, and the city and school project teams will manage scope and funding adjustments if unforeseen costs arise.

Rename Fectó O'Leary building approved: Separately, the committee voted to rename Fectó O'Leary Junior‑Senior High School as the Harold Durgin Success Academy in honor of longtime educator and coach Hal Durgin. A motion to approve the renaming passed on roll call with all present committee members recorded as voting yes.

Why it matters: Committee members and teacher‑cabinet presenters framed the proposals as an effort to reduce large class sizes and provide more appropriate instructional spaces in schools where teachers currently report having to teach in hallways, cafeterias and other non‑classroom spaces. The recommendations are planning steps; the district will need funding commitments and, in some cases, state support to execute major capital changes.

Ending: The committee asked administration to return with more detailed facilities data and timelines; teacher‑cabinet leaders said they would support grant writing and community engagement to advance the projects.","A teacher cabinet presentation identified severe overcrowding at Lynn’s secondary schools and proposed a facilities needs assessment, long‑term planning and seat shifts including expansions at Frederick Douglass Collegiate Academy, LVTI and the Casa project; the committee voted to rename Fectó O'Leary as the Harold Durgin Success Academy.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6219974,"Lynn budget debate centers on proposed cuts to school mental‑health staff",1329,3119000,4448000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3618933-a5d0822bf56fdd76694fd3c4b6793d3f&start=3119&end=4448","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3618933-a5d0822bf56fdd76694fd3c4b6793d3f/thumbnail_3119000.jpg","/articles/6219974/Massachusetts/Lynn-budget-debate-centers-on-proposed-cuts-to-school-mentalhealth-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219974-22afe0121f2a41c7a9d58e39a239816d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176082&Signature=ndFoJvo9TEGsKDHBNi2lla0-De1BnRo79WX1Y3HRf-vET-j7FO8GTM8z-CatpaiAYhcE4LvvWE4FGBFpMw1Ayq-JNAdUm0rd2B021xJGXvTFv7IJkq6ec8MkHQuxZqgCTFeXRfo59FhIKgTkAbdsov4UdGKJE2DYQig3yxCcpPZc17k5HvF1npTkZnnu5nndVSOFJWRNqBbo~SdpbdIJJBVGlv7oe4cSDV2E91SgYZtM8arL2378HZHviI92mnc6jUwwCtTT8PM0kjA0veXl0wuFcWcRjw1liQih6YTXOop2q~~IQpgD~aoYGDb09t~H9qtwJwWCOKMkypo6vmWR0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public testimony during the Lynn School Committee meeting focused heavily on proposed fiscal‑year 2026 budget cuts that would reduce the district’s clinical and social‑emotional‑learning (SEL) staff, prompting repeated appeals from clinicians, parents and union leaders to preserve positions.

Why it matters: Clinicians and special‑education staff said cuts would reduce in‑district capacity to support students with trauma, behavioral health needs and special‑education services. Several speakers warned that reductions would increase out‑of‑district placements, disrupt continuity for vulnerable students and lead to higher long‑term costs.

What speakers said: Fallon Elementary clinical supervisor Megan Levitt described Fallon as “a separate therapeutic elementary school dedicated to providing intensive academic and emotional support,” and told the committee that shifting one clinical supervisor into a clinician role would “be deeply disruptive” and could drive students out of district placements. Clinician Sarah Fox Ray said the proposed cuts would leave clinicians “stretched far too thin” and warned the committee she was “really scared of the consequences.” Heather Matulewicz, another clinical supervisor, described clinicians as “pivotal players” whose removal would reduce life‑saving connections for some students.

Union president Sheila O’Neil of the Lynn Teachers Union said the cuts would affect classroom staffing and English‑learner supports. In her remarks she cited figures that were in the public record: “37 teaching positions being cut at the cost of $3,239,276,” and later referenced a total savings estimate for cuts she reported as $4,186,414 (figures presented by the speaker during public comment).

Administration response and rationale: District leaders and deputies told the committee the FY26 gap required reductions across categories. They cited a staffing standard agreed through prior contract discussions for clinical staffing that the administration said the district needed to apply to reach a sustainable budget level. Administrators also said they had tried to preserve allocations in the highest‑need schools; they reported the clinical unit would be reduced from 97 positions (current) to 81 under the proposed plan and provided dollar‑value breakdowns for major categories (clinical unit reductions approximately $1.6 million; teacher reductions approximately $1.9 million; secondary coaching reductions approximately $2.3 million; total roughly $5.8 million). The administration said principals and building leaders were consulted during budget meetings.

Points of dispute: Clinicians and union leaders said the district lacked consistent, longitudinal data to show that cuts would not harm student safety and outcomes. Administration officials said clinicians’ time-use data is inconsistent across staff and that the district needs a standardized platform — cited in the meeting as Branching Minds — to quantify services and cases for better allocation decisions. Committee members asked for clearer, school‑by‑school impact analyses and pressed the administration on alternatives and on whether administrative savings could offset some cuts.

Next steps: The committee set a public hearing and additional budget deliberations in early June. Several committee members asked the administration to return with targeted alternatives, clearer impact metrics and additional scenarios, and community advocates urged preserving bilingual clinicians and positions supporting therapeutic programs.

Ending: The budget narrative at the meeting highlighted the tension between a multi‑million dollar shortfall and long‑standing calls for more school‑based mental‑health capacity. The matter will return to the committee for votes after the public hearing; speakers asked the committee to consider the long‑term educational and social costs of reducing in‑district SEL supports.","Public commenters, clinicians and union leaders urged the committee to rescind or alter proposed FY26 cuts to clinical and student-support positions; administrators cited contractual ratios and districtwide fiscal constraints.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6219979,"Lynn community urges district to renew H‑1B visa for Lynn Classical teacher",391,1953000,2344000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3618933-a5d0822bf56fdd76694fd3c4b6793d3f&start=1953&end=2344","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3618933-a5d0822bf56fdd76694fd3c4b6793d3f/thumbnail_1953000.jpg","/articles/6219979/Massachusetts/Lynn-community-urges-district-to-renew-H1B-visa-for-Lynn-Classical-teacher","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6219979-711897d038c40500b65470d82b2b8922/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176082&Signature=iX0yUgeE1lGlg3xZj75RygcFVEo4IuNY487iL-dPYJEtWb50HMqNZjaFsb1wvAOC0U3mjNbgy2AnxIFLnQfikF3FhRUg96aBWiuQAznWotj3PmpU5r0l-bm6QRpFuncx07mOTfojorswandNNLNnQrVfUB5kqOOVPsj7lHCpzyEI7MYpCspsCLji~7In~2mFzUzMgT-i0Uf9fMJIEpKya~YOkGScDS8va7tx8o6aKVZF4h339fybsYc7XWORfnU46gcEeyj5Zdtvac1hiLzdMhXsyFjJW-gVd5ft9m72d0d0L5CEw~LtW6NLLUz0xxNtTja-8gMpMThg-YyzPHNB0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of students, parents and teachers pressed the Lynn School Committee during the public comment period to ask the district to renew an H‑1B visa sponsorship for Ainho Atianen, a history teacher at Lynn Classical High School whose employment-based visa is set to expire in February 2026.

Supporters said Atianen — known to students as “Miss A” — has been an integral part of the Classical community since 2021 and schools officials, students and parents had asked the district to continue sponsorship. The appeals came after Atianen told the committee she had received a November 18, 2024, letter from Lynn Public Schools’ human-resources office saying “after careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to not sponsor H‑1B visas any longer for employment purposes moving forward.”

Why it matters: Atianen’s supporters said she plays multiple roles — classroom teacher, course-team member, and class adviser for the graduating class of 2026 — and that losing her midyear would disrupt students’ instruction and extracurricular planning. Speakers also framed the decision as an avoidable personnel cost and a potential hit to the district’s stated equity and recruitment goals.

Students and colleagues described Atianen’s classroom impact and community ties. Zach Johnson, a current or former student who introduced several public commenters, said he had worked with Atianen and came to “lend my support to one of the finest history teachers in the district, Miss A.” Senior class president Amanda Hughes said, “Miss A is one of the most impactful teachers I’ve had during my time as a Lynn Public Schools student.” Christopher Stank, a parent, said the teacher’s continuity and relationships matter for the class of 2026 as they plan for graduation and prom.

Atianen described her work at Lynn Classical and the district’s communication about the visa decision. She told the committee she had led curriculum work on US history for multilingual learners, presented at a national conference, served as US 1 PLC leader and been class advisor since students’ freshman year. She said she and her principal and department head had expressed interest in sponsoring a three‑year extension, and that when she contacted HR in October she was told the district would no longer sponsor H‑1B visas; she said the November letter was the only formal communication she had received from the district on the decision.

Speakers also cited cost comparisons. Atianen said, citing research she had reviewed, that hiring and onboarding a new teacher in Massachusetts can cost “anything between $12,000 to $25,000,” while “renewing an existing H‑1B visa for a company with more than 25 employees is around $3,000 without attorney fees and premium processing.” Those figures were presented to illustrate that renewal would be cheaper than recruiting and onboarding a replacement.

District officials did not announce a change in policy during the meeting. Commenters requested clearer steps from Lynn Public Schools HR describing whether and how individual H‑1B employees could preserve status, and several asked the committee to instruct the administration to revisit the decision. Supporters said they had circulated a petition with more than 280 signatures urging renewal.

What’s next: Commenters asked the committee for a clear, written explanation of the district’s H‑1B policy change and for a review of Atianen’s case before February 2026. The committee did not vote on the matter at this meeting; several members asked for follow-up materials and the administration indicated it would continue discussions with staff and union representatives.

Ending: Supporters asked the committee to align personnel decisions with the district’s mission and recruitment goals; they said reversing or clarifying the HR decision quickly would reduce disruption for students and families.","Students, parents and colleagues urged the Lynn School Committee to reverse a district decision not to renew an H‑1B sponsorship for Lynn Classical history teacher Ainho “Miss A” Atianen, whose visa expires in February 2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lynn Public Schools reports mixed climate, language and achievement results; district plans targeted follow-ups

Teacher cabinet proposes seat shifts, Casa and expansions to ease secondary overcrowding; school renaming approved

Lynn budget debate centers on proposed cuts to school mental‑health staff

Lynn community urges district to renew H‑1B visa for Lynn Classical teacher