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Student representative urges empathy and flags staff contract as she gives final report
Summary
A departing student representative used her final school committee report to thank staff, urge empathy in budgeting decisions and warn the committee about risks to students from broader national debates; she specifically referenced the upcoming BEA contract expiration and concerns about book bans and freedom of speech.
A student representative delivering her final update at the Braintree School Committee meeting on May 5 urged the committee to lead with empathy in budget and policy decisions and raised concerns about several national trends she said put students at risk.
"The BEA's contract expires in a few months. Do not let what happened my sophomore year repeat again," the student representative said, referring to the Braintree Education Association contract negotiations. She added that teachers and staff “deserve a fair contract” and emphasized the broader responsibilities educators carry beyond classroom instruction.
The student representative also warned that students face rising threats from book bans and a polarized national environment. "We are now living in a country where freedom of speech is under attack, freedom of protest is under attack, books are being banned, and the country is polarized on 2 sides," she said, urging committee members to exercise empathy when making decisions, particularly during the budget process.
Chair Lisa Fiskiger and several committee members thanked the student representatives for their service and presented certificates of commendation. Fiskiger and other members praised the departing representatives’ input and encouraged them to remain engaged with the district even after leaving their positions.
The remarks were part of routine student representative reports and a recognition segment at the start of the meeting; they did not prompt formal committee action.
