By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Two educators raised concerns during the School Committee’s April 16 meeting about the potential layoffs that will occur if voters reject the proposed $4.65 million Proposition 2 ½ override during Spring Town Meeting on Tuesday, April 29.
If voters do not approve the proposed override at the Spring Town Meeting and then at a Special Town Election on Wednesday, June 4, the School Department will be forced to layoff 56 employees that include teachers and support staff.
Summer Street School/Lynnfield Preschool nurse Caitlin McCarthy, who lives on Olde Towne Road, said educators and support staff are “all well aware of the numerous changes that will occur throughout our system if the override does not pass.” She said school nurses were notified on the afternoon of April 16 that District Lead Nurse Toni Rebelo’s position “will be cut if the budget does not pass.”
“Being both a member of the school district and the community, I understand that reorganization and restructure may be needed for the upcoming school year,” said McCarthy. “But we want to reiterate to the community that we came before you last year with data that warranted this position. Even with this position, this past winter there were a few days which unfortunately one of our elementary schools went without a school nurse due to illness.”
School nurses and residents stated during the School Committee’s public hearing about the FY25 budget last year that the number school nurses working in the district is less than the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s School Health Unit’s recommendations. Rebelo has been leading the department and serving as a floating nurse.
McCarthy said Rebelo’s position is very important.
“We want families and community members to know that we intend to preserve the care that we provide to our students and our community as a whole,” said McCarthy. “It is for their safety, health and well-being that we make this request for reconsideration.”
McCarthy said the Massachusetts School Nurse Organization (MSNO) will be presenting Rebelo with a Rising Star Award “for her continued excellence” on May 2. According to the MSNO, the Rising Star Award is given to “school nurses who have been in school nursing practice for less than five years and have shown professionalism, passion for the specialty, growth in their practice and impact on their students.”
“She will be a huge loss to our students and the community if her position was eliminated,” said McCarthy.
Chair Kristen Grieco Elworthy said the School Committee agreed with McCarthy’s viewpoint.
“All of us share your feelings,” said Elworthy. “We are hoping we are not in this position.”
School Committee member Kim Baker Donahue congratulated Rebelo on receiving the Rising Star Award.
Lynnfield Middle School nurse Chris Shiels read a letter into from Lynnfield Middle School physical education teacher Sheri Weeks into the public record. Weeks emailed the Villager a copy of the letter.
“I am writing regarding the recent proposed changes to the Lynnfield Public Schools Wellness Department if the override fails and the reduction in force and involuntary transfer positions are implemented,” Weeks stated. “Currently, the Wellness Department at LPS consists of eight staff members. These potential changes will dramatically affect the quality of physical education and health at the elementary and middle school levels. The proposed changes would eliminate one PE teacher at the elementary school, one PE teacher at the middle school and one health education teacher at the middle school, with the health education position being filled by one involuntary transfer from the PE Department at the middle school. Our department will be significantly impacted, but more importantly, so will the educational experience of our students.
“With the state of the current health crisis within our country, it saddens me to think taking away a student’s opportunity for wellness education is even a consideration,” Weeks continued. “Wellness courses address all aspects of a student’s educational experience, educating the whole child. These courses mold students’ growth to personalize the importance of wellness, positively influence others in our community to do the same and to become health literate young adults. Lynnfield Public Schools’ Wellness Department has award-winning professionals who have designed curriculum and programming that impacts the health, well-being and future lifestyles of its students.”
If teacher positions are eliminated or changed, Weeks stated that, “opportunities for our students will be changed.”
“Is anything more important than introducing wellness concepts to the growing mind and body? Exercise builds brain cells,” stated Weeks. “Health education is crucial for individuals and communities. I have spent 29 years as a member of the LPS Wellness Department. I have taught physical education and health at the elementary and middle school levels. I have been a coach for several sports at the high school level. Wellness works. Movement matters. I implore you to consider if the proposed override fails, what impact these changes will have on the physical, mental, social and emotional development and well-being of our young students.”
Elworthy thanked Sheils for reading the letter on Weeks’ behalf.
The Lynnfield Teachers Association (LTA) wrote on its Facebook page that the 56 employees who recently received pink slips have begun looking for new jobs.
“Our dedicated and talented educators — who go above and beyond every single day for our students — are already uploading resumes to SchoolSpring and looking elsewhere,” the LTA wrote. “Not because they want to leave, but because they will not have jobs here if the override fails. These are not abstract numbers or scare tactics. These are your children’s teachers, your neighbors and vital members of our school community. If we don’t act, we will lose them to other districts that can offer stability and support.”