[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6085066,"mediaKeyId","2905802-a6a4653c01a9f837a6a062deb91964c9","parentId",2905802,"title","Wakefield School Committee reviews budget reports, approves payroll warrants and discusses Woodville PTO gift","audioSeconds",267,"startMs",1510000,"endMs",1777000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905802-a6a4653c01a9f837a6a062deb91964c9&start=1510&end=1777","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905802-a6a4653c01a9f837a6a062deb91964c9/thumbnail_1510000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6085066/Massachusetts/Wakefield-School-Committee-reviews-budget-reports-approves-payroll-warrants-and-discusses-Woodville-PTO-gift","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085066-f4460124ca55ff19e7e697fb59c7aa40/orig.mp4?Expires=1771024755&Signature=eJvK9wCU7bsuFN5F0vM2FdrBpYGMmqslYNlHGfoVFRqvUt6wArKaxg8Shx54IHo1SM6~~WnWyVWoRytYtPLFxqY4Fy6yA34JdujAoK2xdROp3PqaHDrSKfVCfrWJJ7-cyGtUJsDHl-AoXI9TkoSS5mwMhbrSTx2W8HlicE0cXOLydBX0LgKx7Sk00cR4rARIYxAM~A53Q~HsgVYb~YA0FsTmqZPqAH3LwZmv3~rv~gzqsuSPZHkQWier~M7oeVcdXVWsOgW~u9J8fDNem99DxFoifdNuVEp-CLYU935SyOmTjf4W-5-IxmmfyAUasRZ0YapZV9NY8SbTzHq6RwjfsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wakefield Public Schools, MA","date","2025-04-08T21:24:26Z","article","The Wakefield School Committee received its regular financial update on April 8 and approved two payroll warrants while discussing a PTO gift proposal and end‑of‑year budget procedures.

School finance staff reported fiscal‑year‑to‑date financials through March 31 showing a little more than 3% of the budget remaining after encumbrances, which the presenter said translated to roughly $1.6 million available for the rest of the fiscal year. The district reported some lines slightly over budget and an expectation of routine year‑end budget transfers; grant accounts must be spent down by June 30. A METCO account was reported with slightly more than $80,000 remaining, and the district reported revolving-account balances just above $3,000,000 after a circuit‑breaker payment. The presenter said the district expects one additional circuit‑breaker payment this fiscal year.

The committee voted to approve payroll warrants 38 and 40; the transcript records the motion, second and a unanimous vote in favor. Earlier on the consent agenda the committee moved to approve minutes from the March 25, 2025 meeting; the transcript records a motion, second and subsequent clarification that at least one member abstained during that vote.

Separately, Caroline Bask, fundraising chair for the Woodville School PTO, described a plan to use funds the PTO has raised—she said the PTO has raised more than $57,000 this year—to underwrite a new math club and teacher stipends. The committee discussed accepting a donation: the administration explained the usual process (check delivered to central office, formal acceptance on a future agenda, and designation of the gift’s purpose). Committee members said they would follow up offline with the PTO and that a formal motion to accept the gift would be placed on a future business agenda.

Other budget notes: the business office said it may carry forward circuit‑breaker payments as a buffer for next year and that school‑lunch and revolving accounts will continue to be reconciled through the end of the fiscal year. Committee members discussed the town’s larger capital projects and the importance of transparent reporting to taxpayers.

Ending: Committee members asked administration for any necessary budget transfers at year end and to bring formal gift‑acceptance language for the PTO donation to a future meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wakefield School Committee Meeting - April 8th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the April 8 meeting the committee heard a fiscal-year‑to‑date financial report showing roughly a 3% available balance, approved payroll warrants, and discussed a Woodville PTO donation proposal for a math club; no large budget reallocations were approved on April 8.","taxTitle","Wakefield Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",71302,"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},6085071,"Wakefield School Committee votes to implement later high‑school start time in 2026–27 school year",1200,2471000,3671000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905802-a6a4653c01a9f837a6a062deb91964c9&start=2471&end=3671","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905802-a6a4653c01a9f837a6a062deb91964c9/thumbnail_2471000.jpg","/articles/6085071/Massachusetts/Wakefield-School-Committee-votes-to-implement-later-highschool-start-time-in-202627-school-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085071-b8b1a2539843125366002ba38d6a2dba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771024755&Signature=VSBuaiZcE47-VS9cHlp3xSNOkHufuicbWA6a1EisvN7e-ieDtNA~MulQu2ZvgSqiZ~lgzuYKK3SV5Hsa9JEwIbEexxHublJiZijqoQ59l7XK-AR-r71UkyvQSheaX8HlRmSTxS8w48W2jjFeKRXEgAHQszlonNlHgXNARgOhfYueod0WkcZXlpbb4jUF6UPz1QnB~sRFQofN7TDbqqMaAPXx1b1I2PoDCUoW70IO7BYLAP~C1JtnYCJw80ON7TK6H8qseMtG~UPl9xmT6~InTqRejaCareYFkxieNp-~HrbkqVYk8gsaPE2K5E0U-hxBT9hE6HnxIWDGuZ79qQW-~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wakefield School Committee voted April 8 to adopt a later start time for high‑school students, approving implementation of “Option A” to begin in the 2026–27 school year and directing the superintendent and labor subcommittee to open impact bargaining with affected employee groups.

The committee’s action followed a multi‑meeting review of research on adolescent sleep and community feedback collected after the committee circulated proposed schedules. Committee members said they preferred Option A because it provides later start times for older students while limiting disruption to elementary schedules, athletics and after‑school programs.

Committee discussion reviewed the research base for later start times and practical concerns about traffic and construction around the new high school campus. Members asked administration to account for the district’s moving timeline into the new building, transportation logistics and possible effects on youth sports and field scheduling. The superintendent and staff told the committee they would begin impact bargaining with employee groups, including Unit A, and would plan for schedule changes to align with the new high‑school move.

The motion recorded in the transcript directed the administration to negotiate necessary changes and implement the school‑start adjustment in the 2026–27 school year; the committee then amended the motion to correct the school year and voted to approve the amended motion. The transcript records the final vote as unanimous.

Next steps: Administration and the labor subcommittee will begin impact bargaining with affected units and will plan transportation and scheduling details ahead of the 2026–27 school year. The committee discussed starting negotiations in September to allow current contract work to conclude and create time for logistics planning during the new high‑school transition.

Ending: The committee instructed staff to return with implementation timelines and to consult athletic directors, town traffic and facilities staff as part of the planning process.","After a multi‑meeting review, the Wakefield School Committee voted unanimously April 8 to adopt Option A — a later start time for high‑school‑level students — to take effect in the 2026–27 school year and directed administration to begin impact bargaining and planning.",{"_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},6085074,"Paraprofessionals urge Wakefield School Committee for higher pay and workplace protections",6073,105000,6178000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905802-a6a4653c01a9f837a6a062deb91964c9&start=105&end=6178","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905802-a6a4653c01a9f837a6a062deb91964c9/thumbnail_105000.jpg","/articles/6085074/Massachusetts/Paraprofessionals-urge-Wakefield-School-Committee-for-higher-pay-and-workplace-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085074-5e78b0b7805f98208a8403aa6f0e527f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771024755&Signature=n-Inq-8656F9InPzm2a-c7Ou2hnhUPYzg2Sl-80nlDmrn2Dqo1y5mMI55UrWn~dofY0LGJLUSUxHpJ53tv5N62YeaguuX2QhhQ-WAr8Yv~WFvGsVc~pgPcHFGfQmeoc9~9rYzqIm4xdsXE5TETMMNP1kvh1pqKw~lD3aQRod1LXuxkHMUOJaWXIs49Y7sKdAbB9VBD30b0wOqy-x1MsZO6bsSV2f9aWbVlAJMOtA69nTx21RSW-HAYCZRBgAfLVC2Rmipag9XGZ9Dccu4wOOUqqzLJ-9k59dsXJXdijolyMMWpSJs4~Fnbi2tLyPyVwTzWo0YNwbS6hRGza~HThXCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Paraprofessionals, parents and other residents urged the Wakefield School Committee on April 8 to prioritize higher wages and stronger workplace protections during ongoing Unit C contract negotiations.

Speakers described paraprofessionals’ expanding role in classrooms and special programs, and said current pay—reported during public comment as between $28,000 and $33,000—falls short of a living wage and hurts retention.

The push came during the meeting’s public-comment period, when Unit C representatives Kim Smith and Sheila Giunta described paraprofessionals’ daily responsibilities—one-to-one support, small-group instruction, lesson modification and behavioral support—and asked the committee to seek a contract that recognizes that work. Several parents and district employees echoed the request, describing cases in which paraprofessionals helped students remain in inclusive settings and participate academically and socially.

Speakers also referenced broader workforce and safety concerns raised in the Massachusetts Teachers Association’s recent ESP (education support professionals) Bill of Rights initiative. Commenters asked for employer-provided training, clearer safety protocols, whistleblower protections, and benefits such as paid family and medical leave.

Parents described the practical consequences of low pay: many paras hold second jobs, said speakers, and some cannot afford housing and basic expenses on current wages. One parent who said her child benefits from one-to-one support said that without consistent paraprofessionals her child’s ability to participate in the classroom would decline.

Committee members acknowledged the comments during the meeting but did not vote on a contract or on specific budget changes at the April 8 session. The superintendent and labor subcommittee were later authorized in separate agenda items to advance bargaining and impact bargaining with labor groups when the committee approved a separate motion about school start times and implementation planning.

The public-comment segment included additional requests and criticisms about transparency in posting meeting materials and about planning costs for the new high-school project; those remarks were recorded separately in the meeting transcript.

What’s next: Unit C negotiations are ongoing; the committee’s labor subcommittee and administration plan further bargaining sessions. No contract was voted on April 8.

Ending: Committee members thanked speakers for their testimony and said they would continue to receive public input as negotiations proceed.","Paraprofessionals and parents used public comment at the April 8 Wakefield School Committee meeting to press for a livable wage, citing expanded job duties, low pay ($28,000–$33,000), and safety and training concerns while Unit C contract talks continue.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Wakefield School Committee reviews budget reports, approves payroll warrants and discusses Woodville PTO gift

Wakefield School Committee votes to implement later high‑school start time in 2026–27 school year

Paraprofessionals urge Wakefield School Committee for higher pay and workplace protections