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School committee moves to update student‑welfare policy to add reporting path for students over 18
Summary
Lynn Public Schools proposed amendments to policy JL to document reporting requirements to the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) for students over 18; the committee approved forwarding the updated policy to the full committee, which ratified it.
District leaders told the policy subcommittee that the district’s student‑welfare policy (JL) needed amendment to address reporting suspected abuse or neglect for students over age 18 to the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC).
Dr. Colella and Lauren Walsh explained that the DESE application process for the TEAMS program (a public day program serving students age 3–22) highlighted that the current policy references 51A reports to the Department of Children and Families for minors but does not explicitly memorialize DPPC reporting for adults with disabilities.
"There is not currently a policy with regard to our 18 students, but the requirement does already exist in the regulation," Dr. Colella said, and presenters said the amendment would mirror existing 51A language and memorialize the expectation that DPPC filings occur for students over 18.
The policy subcommittee voted to move the drafted JL amendment to the full committee. The full school committee later approved the updated policy JL by roll call; members voting yes included Member Castellanos, Member Dugan, Member Gaitley, Member Pena, Member Satterwhite and Mayor Nicholson.
Presenters said the change was meant to ensure district policy and procedures align with DESE expectations for in‑district programs serving young adults and to provide staff with clear, written guidance on required reporting steps.
