Student Advisory Council urges student councils in every Framingham school; committee unanimously refers proposal to policy subcommittee

Jordan Cohen, chair of the Framingham High School Student Advisory Council and a senior at Framingham High School, presented a months-long review of student leadership across the district on Wednesday, March 26, urging a district policy that would establish student councils in every school.

The Student Advisory Council reported visits to five of nine elementary schools with student councils, a December all-clubs meeting that hosted 25 club leaders, focus groups with roughly 30 students, and specific findings about enrollment, transportation and the need for common supports such as earlier late buses and publicity for clubs. "We've been working really hard over the past few months," Jordan Cohen said, introducing the team's presentation. "Our goal is that this policy is brought to a full committee vote by the end of the school year."

The presentation detailed differences among elementary councils: Potter Road's council of about 30 students allows entry by survey, Brophy had 31 students and is still organizing how to operate, King recently formed a council dominated by fourth graders, and Harmony Grove's council selects representatives by teacher nomination. Student leaders said many councils want more support promoting events, access to free after‑school snacks and transportation earlier than the district's current late bus schedule. "A late bus starting at 3 p.m. would help increase enrollment," the presenters said when summarizing club feedback.

Superintendent Dr. Thomas Tremblay and staff members joined the discussion; Tremblay offered to collaborate on a draft policy framework and flagged logistics such as advisor assignments and principal responsibilities. Committee members praised the students' work. Committee member Adam Freudberg moved to refer the concept—creating leadership/student councils in all Framingham schools—to the policy subcommittee so staff and students could develop a formal policy. The motion was seconded (not specified in the public record) and carried unanimously on a roll-call vote: all nine voting committee members recorded "yes." The committee recorded the referral as unanimous and asked students and staff to collaborate on a draft policy for subcommittee review.

The student presenters also described several concrete pilot items they are pursuing: daily club spotlights in the school newsletter and cafeteria, free snacks funded through existing after-school partnerships, and a proposed student summit to bring councils together. The presenters named staff who helped coordinate the visits and the focus groups, including the student advisory adviser Mr. Pave and FHS staff member Mr. Albright.

Next steps: the policy subcommittee will draft language and return it to the full committee; student leaders and Superintendent Tremblay indicated they will collaborate on a framework and advisor logistics. Committee members signaled support for a guide to councils that would offer suggested monthly tasks and optional structures while leaving final operational choices to each school's principals.