Caroline Strickland, chair of the Shrewsbury High School Student Advisory Committee, told the School Committee on Jan. 8 that students raised repeated concerns about overcrowding, bathroom infrastructure and access to food during lunch periods.

"Overcrowding in the school is still prevalent," Strickland said, describing long lines into the auditorium for events and lengthy waits for food that can leave students with "10 to 15 minutes left to eat." She said some food choices are unavailable by later lunch blocks, affecting students with allergies or religious restrictions.

Students told the committee that in some girls’ restrooms "at least one out of the seven stalls are inoperable on each floor," and reported weak hand dryers, gaps in stall doors and shortages of toilet paper. The committee’s members asked district staff to notify the town’s Public Buildings Department; a district operations official said liaison work with building staff is under way and some fixes began after a recent town meeting.

Student speakers also described programs they value: financial-aid night and a school-day financial-literacy presentation. One student said the in-day financial-literacy session was engaging and attended by the entire senior class in rotating groups. The committee thanked Shrewsbury Federal Credit Union and Michael Hale for sponsoring a speaker, and noted a more intensive spring program from Central 1 Federal Credit Union.

The student report covered extracurriculars and community service: recent theater and music productions, athletics successes and fundraisers that supported local charities. Strickland and other SAC members also called for more internship and career-pathway opportunities; school leaders told the committee they are expanding internships and exploring ways to align physical-education credit to allow internships in a senior year block.

The committee and district leaders said the Massachusetts School Building Authority feasibility process — a multiyear planning step discussed for future expansion — would consider food-service space and circulation. The superintendent said the district plans to hire a consultant to review food offerings and service logistics this winter.

The students’ full SAC report will be entered into committee materials and student voice is expected to be part of follow-up work on meals, facilities and program development.