Dozens of Lynn students and community organizers addressed the Lynn School Committee during the meeting's open-mic period on Feb. 27, urging the committee to follow the district's recent rejection of a KIPP expansion with concrete investment in extracurricular programs.

The remarks came from middle- and high-school students and local organizers who said they helped organize and attend public hearings opposing the proposed KIPP expansion, which several speakers said the school committee previously rejected by a 6-4 vote. They described extracurricular programs'shortfalls that they said affect competitive teams and clubs across the district: unreliable transportation, broken or outdated equipment and uniforms, out-of-pocket costs for coaches and advisors, and uneven access to travel funding.

Speakers asked the committee for a dedicated budget line for extracurricular transportation, an accessible process for advisors and clubs to request funds, equipment and uniform replacement funds, and higher compensation for advisors. Mariana Pagan, a Lynn English High School senior and member of the Neighbor to Neighbor Youth Coalition, told the committee: "We need a dedicated budget for extracurricular transportation ... We need clear, accessible funding for equipment, materials and uniforms so students aren't forced to make what's due with what's left over." The comment echoed multiple other speakers who said students missed instruction, work or other opportunities to protest the KIPP proposal and that students had risked personal consequences to do so.

Other student speakers described specific effects on teams and clubs. Lillian Idowu, a Lynn English senior, said poor equipment and training resources contributed directly to losses on the soccer field and to students leaving teams. Sano Forchap, a senior at Lynn Classical, said students were not asking for "fully fledged engineering rooms" but asked for funding to upgrade current equipment so they can compete effectively.

Neighbor to Neighbor organizer Gabe (last name not specified) noted the group's role in mobilizing students and said the district must "work together" with organizers and students as it enters budget season. Multiple student speakers also said they remained committed to continued advocacy and would attend future meetings.

The committee did not take formal action on extracurricular funding during the meeting. Committee members acknowledged the speakers; some said they would factor student requests into budget discussions this spring. The committee's formal business that evening included separate votes on field trips, donations and capital interest submissions to the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

The public comments primarily occurred at the start of the meeting during the open-mic segment; the speakers repeatedly referenced the recent public hearings and the committee's vote on KIPP during their remarks. The committee did not adopt any new policy or immediate budget allocation at the meeting related to the student requests.

Looking ahead, students asked the committee to link any future decisions about charter expansions, grants or budget adjustments to measurable support for extracurricular access and transportation, and to provide a clear process for advisors to request funds.