LYNN– The Lynn School Committee addressed Sanctuary Schools for immigrant students and families and the relocation of two pre-kindergarten classes being moved from a building at Curwin Circle to the Callahan Elementary School close by in Thursday’s meeting.
Several concerned community members came to the meeting to raise concern that the training given to Lynn Public School’s staff on how to handle issues with immigrant students and their families, put into motion following a Committee resolution from May, was inadequate.
“I am here because I want teachers to receive training and so undocumented students don’t feel pressure and feel safe in school,” said Lynn resident Juana Espinal.
“I was disappointed to hear that the training addressed in the resolution has not happened,” said Isaac Simon Hodes from Lynn United for change. “Information was given out and read but there was no real training or workshops.
“It is a priority to ensure immigrant students and families that they are safe and welcome.”
Katie Cohen, of the North Shore Labor Council, added that just simply handing out information isn’t enough to prepare staff for supporting affected students.
“This isn’t just about when ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) comes to the door, it’s about supporting our students and their families,” she said.
School Committee member Donna Coppola was concerned that what the resolution was supposed to accomplish was not accomplished at all.
“It’s almost like you didn’t read the resolution,” she said to Superintendent Catherine Latham.
School Committee member, Maria Carrasco agreed that the training she pictured was never completed.
“I don’t know why it is so hard to understand what training means,” she said.
However Latham ensured frustrated committee members that their requests were met and that this is a good first step.
Members John Ford and Patricia Capano agreed that this resolution and its results were a step in the right direction for a complex problem.
“If there is something that is missing people need to address it. This cannot be solved in one day,” Ford said.
“We have to reflect on that the initial need was met and talk about the next step,” Capano said. “We have to take it as it goes.”
On the issue of moving current pre-kindergarten students to Callahan Elementary School from a Curwin Circle location, parent Elena Barrett was concerned the parents weren’t getting a say in the relocation which will take place during the school year.
“We were told it was already decided and there was nothing we could do about it,” she said.
However the matter was not voted on until Thursday.
Latham said although the relocation does not expand classroom size, it does however address safety concerns at the current location.
Coppola was puzzled as to where this free space at Callahan came from.
“We cry all the time about having no space, now we find out we have an open classroom,” she said.
After Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy and Latham took a private testimony from a security officer from the Lynn Police Department addressing safety, the Committee took action to move the meeting into an Executive Session, private from the public to address, as it is said in Committee procedure, “the deployment of security personnel or devices, or strategies with respect thereto.”
The Committee returned from the Executive Session with a 4-2 vote in favor of moving the students to Callahan Elementary School, with one member abstaining.