The Lynn School Committee on a recorded roll call approved a memorandum of agreement with the Lynn School Administrators Association to establish a district guidance counselor position intended to lead and coordinate school counselors across Lynn Public Schools.

Superintendent Alvarez introduced the item and said the role is meant to provide district-level leadership for guidance counselors, improve consistency across schools and support implementation of the district’s myCAP career-and-academic planning process. Dr. Gardner, who oversees the district counseling program, told the committee the position would help “communicate with guidance counselors, interface with partnerships, interface with district [offices], advocate for systems, work with them on visioning goals, work with them on professional development and building their proficiency on platforms.”

During discussion, members asked how the role would be supervised and how its effectiveness would be measured. Alvarez and Dr. Gardner said the position would report to Dr. Gardner and follow the district’s administrator goal-setting and progress-monitoring cycle tied to the strategic plan. Dr. Gardner estimated the caseload for the position would be “under 100” students while the role also carries district coordination responsibilities.

The committee also reviewed bargaining and legal steps. Alvarez said the position was reviewed with counsel Howard Greenspan and discussed with the Lynn School Administrators Association (LSAA). After an earlier subcommittee motion to move the item to the full committee, the full committee, following an executive-session discussion of collective bargaining and related contract terms, returned to public session and voted to approve the memorandum of agreement establishing the role.

The vote was by roll call and carried with the majority in favor; one member (Member Satterwhite) was recorded as absent.

The immediate outcome: the district guidance counselor role will be added to the district staffing structure under the terms negotiated with the LSAA; the administration said it will implement supervision and annual goals consistent with other administrators and report back through normal progress-monitoring channels.