[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6063748,"mediaKeyId","3264099-78f7cffddd10cb0ecbcd36929f568d5e","parentId",3264099,"title","School committee schedules June public hearing after administrators present FY26 budget pressures and tradeoffs","audioSeconds",1674,"startMs",4321605,"endMs",5996390,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3264099-78f7cffddd10cb0ecbcd36929f568d5e&start=4321&end=5996","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3264099-78f7cffddd10cb0ecbcd36929f568d5e/thumbnail_4321605.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6063748/Massachusetts/School-committee-schedules-June-public-hearing-after-administrators-present-FY26-budget-pressures-and-tradeoffs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063748-e5fa2f973020a7c662ec565047c0a525/orig.mp4?Expires=1770757621&Signature=FJhE71PeH3-otoaS0ajJucqt5XqMoXT5AoBQdEFcvZl5vKK3UgtzO9MR4sT4my7stv8Z~mq7lBn1ODyhQsQjiwpzETcPSilDjsB6D2-kAcG1rCiHvcOzuDXya2V2OxWwPpNKaFekMMtpl3jTryPHAjtT1Jc4sGEpwKsvtyG6a40J6fizUShzACpz1ZatvITU14vg2jX-OdI5V~KdZl~oRrTljZGdMxYEZsEVj2eNdN5LDFPYiRlQ83Ogg5aqXMnSJkT8M8N~buts-qDr444VuuTzuxSkNt3meEbI9KbkJiUAsRtXLDCeRxPhc8v-0ZyjM6IxC~a0uOMpakNdfPESNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lynn Public Schools, MA","date","2025-05-11T06:47:00Z","article","District and city finance staff presented an overview of the Lynn Public Schools fiscal‑year 2026 budget, describing a large state funding increase but also significant cost pressures that narrow the funds available for new programs; the school committee voted to set a public hearing for June 12.

Kevin McHugh, the district’s school business administrator, said the governor’s proposed Chapter 70/Student Opportunity Act allocation to the district would rise by about $29.5 million next year but that rising city obligations for health insurance, pensions and other non‑school spending would consume a substantial portion. McHugh noted the city’s projected increases — a roughly 10.2% health‑insurance increase and a 15% pension increase for some employee groups — reduce the net funds available in the district’s operating budget.

McHugh highlighted special‑education out‑of‑district tuition costs as a major driver: the FY26 budget listed about $18.7 million in out‑of‑district special‑education tuitions while Chapter 70 funding for that line is about $6.3 million; circuit‑breaker reimbursements cover part of the remainder but the district projects a structural gap. He said transportation and technology needs also contributed to pressure on non‑salary lines.

Superintendent and cabinet leaders told the committee they sought to protect classroom teaching where possible: some nonunion and administrative positions were proposed for reduction, instructional coaches were reassigned to classroom teaching, and some department heads will teach classes to preserve frontline staffing. Administrators said they have preserved certain services and prioritized reductions in administrative roles rather than classroom teachers.

After discussion, the committee voted to place the FY26 budget on the calendar for a 30‑day public comment period and scheduled a public hearing for June 12. Roll‑call votes for the motion to set the hearing were recorded as unanimous in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lynn School Committee Meeting - May 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District leaders presented the fiscal‑year 2026 budget context, reporting a roughly $29.5 million increase in state education funding but noting major offsets (health insurance, pensions, and special‑education costs) that limit available discretionary funds; the committee voted unanimously to set a June 12 public hearing on the budget.","taxTitle","Lynn Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",13444,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6063753,"City Arts and Sciences Academy enrollment grows; city, district outline staffing, construction and funding plans",1751,4005030,5756380,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3264099-78f7cffddd10cb0ecbcd36929f568d5e&start=4005&end=5756","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3264099-78f7cffddd10cb0ecbcd36929f568d5e/thumbnail_4005030.jpg","/articles/6063753/Massachusetts/City-Arts-and-Sciences-Academy-enrollment-grows-city-district-outline-staffing-construction-and-funding-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063753-924c9405440916166a2fff00beb4c25f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770757621&Signature=PIqj~xDxvX6SEZFs31pCRRmxWPmXh9t7cS3rxsRZpQWdNJ56QzkrrACGzQ7oUGe9tJ-bwdnoIQh5OUsoXEUQ3K6uFtmkwREZcA3X-7XHd9wI3oGLfoOrYrtmU8glydEh2H6y3LfeF2U3sw0WIq7p6KPdl9cfWknZkwxwB-bVT6OJLZStzoX~~GoeJYsTwxdhW-MyTU8lK1eyrFJOUa3EyX6XXlvNYp5U6plIvuMkMN4U~57KfMvc56PHTey1kNJBdmruh5cj4jMyM-DvAZgxJ5Hx56eHQP5pSaEL13FasvgC0BQYMn6EAn~MZ3GJjvuPcMng4kqKFIF4WbcBN7Ut4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District and city officials updated the school committee on the City Arts and Sciences Academy (Casa), reporting rising enrollment, planned staffing, community partnerships and a tight facilities schedule ahead of the intended fall opening.

“Principal Chris Norkin said enrollment had reached 237 students with more than 40 additional applications to process and that the school is seeing particular interest from seventh, eighth, tenth and eleventh graders,” the principal said, describing outreach to feeder schools and family engagement work.

District staff proposed a staffing model to serve 300 students that includes roughly 23–25 total teaching and nonteaching positions; presenters said 12 of the teaching positions would be transfers from other district openings and that the staffing model includes added special education and English‑learner teachers to support access for historically underserved students.

Mike Donovan, head of the city’s capital projects unit, told the committee Phase 1 construction is scheduled to begin after school ends on June 23 and run through Aug. 22 to prepare second‑ and third‑floor academic spaces for September. He described the timeline as “very tight” and identified long lead times for electrical switchgear and possible delays in casework or equipment deliveries; if major items are delayed, crews may work evenings to keep classrooms ready.

Committee members asked about contingency plans and funding. Officials said some capital work will require waivers from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) if net school spending counts exceed a statutory threshold (staff noted the DESE threshold is $150,000 for an individual project) and that waiver decisions typically take about 60 days after submission. District leaders said furniture, fixtures and equipment for Casa will be paid from the district budget while construction is city‑funded; officials said they will provide a more detailed cost breakdown to the committee.

Presenters highlighted several community partnerships and philanthropic support in development, including collaborations with local universities, arts organizations, the Lynn Museum and STEM partners; Project Lead The Way and other grant opportunities were cited as programmatic supports. Officials did not seek a committee vote at the meeting; they requested continued committee oversight as procurement and construction proceed.

The committee did not take formal action on Casa at the meeting but acknowledged the updates and signaled interest in more detailed budget and timeline documentation in the weeks ahead.","Principal and city officials outlined enrollment, staffing, partnerships and a tight summer construction schedule for the new City Arts and Sciences Academy (Casa); officials warned the Phase 1 buildout timeline is condensed and flagged potential procurement and waiver steps for larger capital work.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6063758,"District recommends Open SciEd for grades 3–5 after field tests and teacher feedback",962,2656210,3618369,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3264099-78f7cffddd10cb0ecbcd36929f568d5e&start=2656&end=3618","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3264099-78f7cffddd10cb0ecbcd36929f568d5e/thumbnail_2656210.jpg","/articles/6063758/Massachusetts/District-recommends-Open-SciEd-for-grades-35-after-field-tests-and-teacher-feedback","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063758-7be7a06324954b44872e2e84959102ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770757621&Signature=UNpIBfEiHqB30NXwtbl5KZSb0-BznGJF2IV6vN9h7XkxrGUjcNk6L4A0HPQEGu3kaIxD1ky0nzKpOn~JRYmKoTZ2C18MsMwwlmo3ZCuMPP1xcgsx9-HtO2P4pheWX6IRU4e~7bdIbTceQKcGiuHob3ChcYzLSFAaF9XuENwOjWvddz2WJIK7Q6P~ZWA077ie-k6wd1SiO5KE0ysqns0pDhAwbQwzTPqy40E12D2jInbxyzzTEi-q8l4PZZeFhcX0yq7oZixQ7GIdm1ovLVPl4YxWyISHdpV646MZU3Jl1NTuntTFNAJBgdJ9lQ~GXmmNILjBkXd9L6iB6-J3naoH9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The district’s 3–5 science adoption committee recommended Open SciEd as the curriculum for grades 3–5, presenting field‑test results, projected professional development and fiscal considerations to the school committee.

“Open SciEd was selected by the committee as the recommended science curriculum for grades 3 through 5,” said Cammie (Cammie) Cox, assistant director of curriculum and instruction for science. Cox described a multi‑phase selection process that included vendor demos, demo accounts, third‑party reports, out‑of‑district field tests and a teacher survey of pilots.

Cox said four curricula were initially reviewed and two green‑lit HQIM (high‑quality instructional materials) — Open SciEd and Amplify — were piloted in classrooms; more than 20 teachers participated in the field tests. Based on teacher feedback, alignment with district goals and financial and operational analyses, the committee recommended Open SciEd.

Cox described Open SciEd as an open‑source, research‑based curriculum grounded in phenomenon‑based inquiry and project‑style learning, with embedded performance tasks aligned to newer MCAS problem‑solving expectations. She said the curriculum itself is free to access and that the district’s primary costs would be lab kits and professional learning and that the district will use a train‑the‑trainer model and local teacher leaders to sustain implementation.

Cox also addressed kit sustainability: the district plans an inventory and replenishment system (including gift‑card purchasing used at middle schools) and said Open SciEd eliminates recurring licensing fees, which she said makes the program more sustainable overall. She presented a proposed onboarding schedule — two full days of training in early September, follow‑up PD on the November PD day, and embedded coaching and PLC support.

The recommendation described in the meeting was for the committee to adopt Open SciEd as the grades 3–5 science curriculum; no formal committee adoption vote appears in the transcript during this meeting.","After a year of field testing two high‑quality science programs, district reviewers recommended the free, open‑source Open SciEd curriculum for grades 3–5 and outlined supply needs, professional development and sequencing with social‑studies rollout.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6063763,"Lynn outlines K–8 social studies curriculum pilots; district plans phased adoption with teacher development",765,1342370,2107655,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3264099-78f7cffddd10cb0ecbcd36929f568d5e&start=1342&end=2107","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3264099-78f7cffddd10cb0ecbcd36929f568d5e/thumbnail_1342370.jpg","/articles/6063763/Massachusetts/Lynn-outlines-K8-social-studies-curriculum-pilots-district-plans-phased-adoption-with-teacher-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063763-90ba35e4481891471a063622377572e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770757621&Signature=VBwtq7eXu9gpobSgngRYLIrWqSwgDoqantiB95CZDRhzbDVbI9rmffTYpPWSg9uQ~M05vXNZ9LdnQmbmOgFKQvUA8Zi2H07J2F7WeCrg640yjl45cfoy~IFE~J62hqt3f5C7j6eOudqT1W1~ffbCpPQpTfiBG0BaTJIJlnj4dooo3PX4tGLimFrWGDrlg~VH7SiWe~tt7poKFbzh7Z5yg116DZYaRdBqxqNhZTBk91H0CPMpZodNvI~u~F9PF5bQHl5R6~M8cxcpnQ~DZg-bcGpk9v~qN79q3NL6MVbEU07EhI~6vRLbe8HmULajEh9miOe10e~YzvFC2ViBweSjjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District curriculum staff told the school committee the district will pilot and phase in several social‑studies instructional programs next year and emphasized professional development and open‑access materials.

“Kristen DiMarco, assistant director of curriculum for history and social studies, said the district is ‘committed to providing the highest quality, culturally responsive materials,’ and described several pilot programs and adoption plans for 2025–26.”

DiMarco said Children Discovering Justice (CDJ) will be a core resource for K–2 and that the district ran a teacher‑leader cohort of 13 K–2 teachers this year. She said 100% of pilot survey respondents “agree or strongly agree that CDJ should be a core resource for our K to 2,” and the district will run a district‑wide pilot next year with associated after‑school and summer professional development.

For grades 3–4, DiMarco described a 39‑teacher pilot of Investing in History (Investigating History) that included six full days of professional development and said the district planned a broader pilot next year with published materials and state partner support. She said the grade‑5 materials were already published and had strong pilot results.

DiMarco said the Democratic Knowledge Project (DKP) will be the core resource for grade 8 after a local pilot, and that the district is aligning rollout schedules to avoid teacher overload by sequencing science and social‑studies professional development for overlapping grade teams.

She also told the committee that third‑party reviewers Curate and EdReports have not yet completed reviews of social‑studies materials; DESE maintains a separate review process for history and social‑studies adoption, DiMarco said.

No formal committee adoption votes took place during the presentation; staff framed the work as implementation planning and pilots to be monitored through teacher feedback and district professional learning plans.","District curriculum staff described pilots and planned rollouts for K–8 social studies, including Children Discovering Justice for K–2, Investing in History pilots for grades 3–7, and the Democratic Knowledge Project for grade 8, with emphasis on teacher professional development and open‑source materials.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6063767,"Lynn educators criticize timing and communication of position closures, urge greater transparency",1020,83431,1103625,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3264099-78f7cffddd10cb0ecbcd36929f568d5e&start=83&end=1103","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3264099-78f7cffddd10cb0ecbcd36929f568d5e/thumbnail_83431.jpg","/articles/6063767/Massachusetts/Lynn-educators-criticize-timing-and-communication-of-position-closures-urge-greater-transparency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6063767-41ff9ff5946d1d8021ce9c12390d8850/orig.mp4?Expires=1770757621&Signature=dhrFLGTBUCWjhpdVql9oFOpestyW8cAGa4aSM9oFCSZ1A3EUy~xi4s2ipHD-UzMiCpgG8T-OYtWcl~IwmokNjUGW-7jlgHNkvCQoOWdiZWMVhm4SMCEj49JLoGR2G-GUC2D7fANammOpS2gbq0s8wNQUjqQ0HP0iGprpMSnhnOqYepHGahFUu-tTF7WJD1u0-ROu9kPH4nbHJKaUQpWmu4BeKC6tlmvOUcAd7ALcAvwVv278U7kYPvVeTgDXAtdRHJfiFE-fs-~7x78E5KeMTdD1Hn2tJrdZwGCKS2DzExhz3dTHOqh2Mn1WJuyBb6mwwuVfNmGtHF5Xg8p2j9WJ2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Speakers at an open-mic portion of the Lynn School Committee meeting said the district’s handling of position closures and staff reductions has eroded trust and hurt teacher recruitment.

“Sheila O’Neil, president of the Lynn Teachers Union, said the decision to eliminate positions after postings had begun left many educators ‘feeling less than respected and valued,’ and that members were kept waiting for more than five weeks for official notification.”

O’Neil told the committee the timing led to rumors across the city and “stress and lack of communication” for educators; she said the postings and awards for next school year “will not be complete until sometime in June,” a delay she said will limit the district’s ability to recruit newly graduated teachers.

Other speakers described local impacts. Jeffrey Marshall, a faculty member at North Shore Community College who works with students at Frederick Douglass Collegiate Academy, said the elimination of a co‑teacher position and cuts to support staff threatened classroom practice at that school and left him questioning whether decision‑makers had full information about classroom effects. “I haven’t had an email that says, what is the effect of these cuts gonna be on your students and in your classroom?” Marshall said.

Long‑time elementary math intervention teacher Noreen Duff Connolly said her position at the Tracy School was closed after eight years in the role. She described the personal toll of learning a position had been closed and told the committee she planned to continue working in Lynn but asked leaders to consider the human impact and to improve how staff are notified.

Speakers framed their remarks as appeals for procedural and communication changes rather than policy prescriptions. No formal action on staffing or budgets occurred during the public‑comment period; committee members received the comments and proceeded with the posted agenda.

The comments join ongoing district conversations about staffing and budgeting as administrators prepare for next year’s assignments and schools prepare to post and fill positions. Committee members and district staff did not announce any immediate changes to the process during the meeting, but officials noted they have been meeting with union and school leaders while finalizing assignments for 2025–26.","Teachers, union leaders and classroom staff told the Lynn School Committee that recent notices of position eliminations were delayed, caused stress and could hamper recruitment; speakers asked for clearer, earlier communication from district leaders.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School committee schedules June public hearing after administrators present FY26 budget pressures and tradeoffs

City Arts and Sciences Academy enrollment grows; city, district outline staffing, construction and funding plans

District recommends Open SciEd for grades 3–5 after field tests and teacher feedback

Lynn outlines K–8 social studies curriculum pilots; district plans phased adoption with teacher development

Lynn educators criticize timing and communication of position closures, urge greater transparency