Three student envoys and other students used the Oct. 1 meeting to spotlight district internships, career pathways and extracurricular programming — and to press elected members on persistent facility and affordability concerns.

Lincoln Riley, a seventh‑grade envoy at Barnstable Intermediate School who described choosing Barnstable over a charter-school lottery spot, told the committee, "I knew Barnstable is where I wanted to be and where I belonged." The student envoys and high‑school representatives highlighted programs that the students say build skills and community: DECA’s outreach programming, expanded pathways such as fire science and criminal‑justice courses, and a surge in internships this year with 66 seniors placed at community sites ranging from the Chamber of Commerce to the Cape Wildlife Center.

Students also raised operational concerns. Speakers described recurring problems with high‑school and athletic‑building restrooms: frequent flooding, broken locks and poor lighting. One student said AP exam fees ($98 per exam) and club dues make participation and college‑readiness work difficult for some families. Students also said important events — for example, a college fair — sometimes coincide with athletic contests, forcing difficult choices for student‑athletes.

Superintendent and staff responses acknowledged the problems and outlined the constraints of capital projects. A district representative described the capital‑project process — design, bidding and implementation — and told students that large projects can take months or years to complete but that facilities staff are working on prioritized lists and emergency maintenance where needed. Facilities staff and committee members also noted upcoming capital work and that the facilities department is developing a plan to address high‑use areas such as locker rooms and restrooms.

Students and parents praised internship opportunities as transformational; one parent reported her son’s positive experience at Cape Wildlife Center and several committee members highlighted pathway growth and student leadership as reasons parents should keep their children in Barnstable schools.

The committee requested continued updates on facilities work and asked staff to clarify supports for families with the cost of AP exams and for students who face scheduling conflicts between clubs and sports.