Student speakers highlight fundraiser success and raise budget concerns over food service and library access

A high-school student representative, Caleb, told the School Committee Tuesday that students are actively engaging with the budget process and raising practical concerns about programs and services.

Caleb described upcoming events (a winter carnival and senior-night athletics), a student fundraiser that had reached approximately $5,200 by the time of the meeting for senior-class activities, and student budget sessions attended by roughly 30 students. Students raised questions about which teachers might not return, the availability of sports and AP classes, possible fee increases for athletics, and — notably — restrictions on library book checkout tied to budget cuts.

Committee members commended Caleb for bringing student perspectives into the budget conversation. One member urged continued student involvement and noted the value of moving from survey results to concrete actions. The superintendent and staff said they will continue student-budget engagement and host a dining-services feedback session in response to food-service concerns.

Why it matters: The remarks underscore how students are participating in district planning and point to specific program areas (food service, library access, elective course offerings) that students see as at risk if the district cannot fully fund priorities.

Details: Caleb said the senior class met to plan a trip and launched a fundraiser that rose from $4,000 earlier in the day to about $5,200 by the time he spoke. He also described a school library checkout limitation he attributed to budget cuts; the transcript records the student's claim but does not include further operational detail or corrective explanation from staff.

Next steps: The district will host a dining-services feedback session and continue student budget sessions; the superintendent said student survey results will be presented to the committee after February break.