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Residents, retired staff and students urge Woburn School Committee to keep counselor in guidance
Summary
A string of public commenters — including the Woburn Teachers' Association president, a former guidance director and current students — urged the committee to halt an involuntary transfer of longtime WMHS counselor Katie Bolkum, warning the move would drain veteran support for more than 1,200 students.
Christie Nickerson, president of the Woburn Teachers' Association, opened the public comment period with a warning that this school year has seen an unusually high number of involuntary transfers among experienced educators and that the cumulative effect has been a severe drop in staff morale.
"Many educators who have dedicated years and sometimes decades to serving Woburn students are questioning whether their experience, their commitment, and their contributions are truly valued," Nickerson said, urging district leaders to consider how personnel moves affect retention and trust.
Eric Scarborough, WTA secretary, read remarks from Rosemary Dunnavan, a former WMHS head of guidance, who described the proposal to move counselor Katie Bolkum to teach Spanish as particularly damaging. "If Katie is forced out of our guidance department, we'll simultaneously gain three brand new counselors, a counselor of 1 year, and a brand new director. That leaves exactly two veteran counselors to anchor the entire department. Two veterans for over 1,200 students," the reading said.
Joanna Sands, retired director of guidance, and several current and recent students gave examples of Bolkum's daily work and argued that disrupting those relationships would leave students without continuity during critical transitions such as college planning, mental-health needs and course selection. Student Alex Loria said Bolkum "immediately took interest in hearing my activities post high school" and credited her with encouraging him toward his future plans.
Speakers repeatedly raised the possibility the move was retaliatory. A student told the committee that Bolkum had "spoken out about the former leadership" and now fears backlash. The record shows committee members listened but did not announce a personnel reversal during the meeting.
At the end of the public comment period, Dr. Crowley said it would not be appropriate to comment on personal matters during the meeting. The speakers asked the administration and the committee to explore mediation and to prioritize keeping experienced counselors in roles that serve high-need caseloads.
The committee did not take formal action on the personnel concern during the June 24 meeting; public commenters said they expect follow-up from the superintendent’s office.
