[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6273457,"mediaKeyId","3000421-e44af3d79e728d847942dd647badd998","parentId",3000421,"title","After executive session, committee approves request to mayor and council for security project funding options","audioSeconds",38,"startMs",5357000,"endMs",5395000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000421-e44af3d79e728d847942dd647badd998&start=5357&end=5395","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000421-e44af3d79e728d847942dd647badd998/thumbnail_5357000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6273457/Massachusetts/After-executive-session-committee-approves-request-to-mayor-and-council-for-security-project-funding-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273457-17596e007495b56a6ccc06cfebaf8f9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413682&Signature=clwwUmYpqLs~Gh0iefGwnXW4Q9ASUW9-Q8tdhVG4F61oKlG920dteZh9O84J3k8CGx7Ls~32lW8P-s603qTKmNM0r8WYO0QJsqc4Z5q7l5P3UpNkcAUA6PByCyNas6sS-gso2p7Bzo0nCjvTSfaRC6Eo~DqM~76f-tsLr2zGSSzkJpdDwuRrwtYJp7XNJ7z1GVAk36nU8SeGiEtM2otwHbXLBxJartk3meGq56t1SKoTM1AphKqShTumz7B1WZXkbbxM~-VeG~911sLYNNlNycXbrdOm~GnGCcycSaFs8NXoT~yP-iwwrh1Gp8VnGeeg5rWmOjaKkFTY8fUs2EYzOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Medford Public Schools, MA","date","2025-04-16T00:00:00Z","article","Following an executive session held under state open‑meeting law, the Medford School Committee voted 5–0, with two members absent, to approve a security‑related project and to forward three funding options to the mayor and city council for consideration, with a committee preference for the option that expends the most free cash to lower ongoing district payments.

Committee members said the matter was discussed in executive session under the statutory exception that allows strategy discussions about collective bargaining and security deployment (Mass. General Laws, Chapter 30A, Section 21). The motion read to the public summarized the committee’s action: it approved the project and will send three options to the mayor and council, noting a preference for the option that uses the greatest amount of free cash to reduce annual payments; no further project details were disclosed publicly at the meeting.

The motion was recorded on the public floor after the executive session. Roll call produced five affirmative votes, zero negatives and two absences; the committee entered executive session again at the start of the meeting under M.G.L. c. 30A, §21(a) for collective bargaining and under §21(a)(4) to discuss security deployment.

Next steps: The committee indicated it will notify the mayor and city council of the requested options; those bodies will consider funding choices in accordance with municipal budget procedures. The district did not release detailed project scope or cost figures during the public session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Medford School Committee Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Following executive session, the committee voted to approve a security project and to forward three funding options to the mayor and city council, preferring the option that uses the most free cash to reduce district annual payments.","taxTitle","Medford Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",71102,"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},6273463,"School committee approves modest tuition increases for Kids Corner and preschool (MEEP); before/after care discussion continues",280,7257000,7537000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000421-e44af3d79e728d847942dd647badd998&start=7257&end=7537","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000421-e44af3d79e728d847942dd647badd998/thumbnail_7257000.jpg","/articles/6273463/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-modest-tuition-increases-for-Kids-Corner-and-preschool-MEEP-beforeafter-care-discussion-continues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273463-81ce2af1744897803818f0effee5577b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413682&Signature=AqzSgSHBToRDa2VQ1vu7LWZ8neX4C7GFOjhR4ppPluLo7VkEtLDLUA2oDXBzJpgisQaCnJAEFJXLqFCfvRQa1fpuf3z5ujm46AMtXiuDqHI0kgY-y8YdrrFG0qaL00XYYvPvL5AeH0xqQPLJBXzQ55QK1mLTPHI8dZrJXH2BTRdANHCbpK~oQj0Bb6N9LMFnCZ4dd-RYHlpDm9P5x957Y0L6U-KZeXAGfzvR8l-MrxAlFPQ0Subv9tT8CdIwUkDgs2yE0wRvO4zzl2prLpb1Jf1HQd87FWUZvOOuFzfIMHuo1E9ug3ggSVmG-LLKJrAHzZlyNOXvmIDo27UbPri8mA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Medford School Committee approved modest tuition increases for two district child‑care programs on April 14, voting to approve Kids Corner rate changes for the 2025–26 and 2026–27 school years and to increase MEEP (the district preschool program) tuition by 3% for 2025–26.

District staff said increases are necessary to cover rising operational costs and to raise staff compensation toward a living wage; staff pointed to three years of planned, tiered increases for Kids Corner that had been communicated to families. Joan Bowen, director of student services, explained that some MEEP program entries represent full‑day offerings and therefore carry higher rates than half‑day options; committee members asked staff to clarify labels in the materials to avoid confusion.

The committee approved Kids Corner rates for 2025–26 and 2026–27 by roll call (six in the affirmative, one absent). The motion to raise MEEP rates by 3% for 2025–26 passed by roll call (six in the affirmative, one absent). Committee members noted an apparent clerical error in one MEEP line item and asked staff to correct the chart before broad publication.

District staff said the rate increases are intended both to improve pay for program employees and to preserve program quality and access. The committee did not complete a vote on the before‑ and‑after school program by the time the meeting paused for a technical recess; that item remained on the agenda for later consideration.

What happens next: Staff will publish corrected rate charts for families, implement approved increases for Kids Corner and MEEP for the specified years, and return to the committee with the before‑and‑after school proposals when the meeting resumes.","The committee approved rate increases for the municipal daycare program (Kids Corner) for 2025–26 and 2026–27 and approved a 3% tuition increase for the Medford Early Education Program (MEEP) for 2025–26; the before‑and‑after school rate vote was not recorded before a short recess.",{"_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},6273468,"School committee adopts Option Triangle calendar for 2025–26; refers calendar policy to subcommittee",362,6014000,6376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000421-e44af3d79e728d847942dd647badd998&start=6014&end=6376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000421-e44af3d79e728d847942dd647badd998/thumbnail_6014000.jpg","/articles/6273468/Massachusetts/School-committee-adopts-Option-Triangle-calendar-for-202526-refers-calendar-policy-to-subcommittee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273468-751bb7142a42eb7ea58636062164f5d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413682&Signature=UpJxaNShMQZhvzUzFpayEyaKHWOCKsppoUwr6lIPKqqPxZKwzgwhX6tmEhpVaBAZzyHZnxF9g95aTx4kxtAjBFxSwx3MMBntjg034SNiAaG~rS-DJFFbV0~f8a3x7O2xwHXfKICqJRSyA~fmP3pYjbP4UAeOPnZvLP8TsJFyloxY2tMWgGpR5BfT4ws8NYLM2Yd2KSD7Ng~Z4g3y-PziHOvfs52FJHycn1-kxAuyNIeeWD4sR~MZP6tED43QBKQ8WVaw6NniQY-7bBwyn7dUDJLGuAm6UluuFuIwceI-yV6LkG~MaJ-jW6DmfadKj~qukgsdq2ADAmmz3AhicfsIBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Medford School Committee voted to adopt the district’s 2025–26 school calendar using “Option Triangle,” with the first day of school set for Wednesday, Aug. 27 and new teachers reporting the week of Aug. 18. The motion to adopt Option Triangle passed April 14 by a roll call vote of five in favor, one opposed and one absent.

Superintendent Dr. Suzanne Galusi and district staff presented two calendar options. Both options set Aug. 27 as the first day for most students and Sept. 3 as the kindergarten start date; they differ in the placement of vacation days and in how several religious observances are handled. District staff said Option Triangle seeks relief and advice because it results in 184 scheduled school days instead of the 185 the district previously sought to schedule.

Assistant presenter Dr. Cushing told the committee that scheduling the calendar “is a significantly challenging exercise,” citing constraints including state regulations, religious observances and the need to preserve time for professional development. He reviewed two calendars (presented as “Square” and “Triangle”) and said Option Triangle would reduce one designated holiday in each of the Christian, Jewish and Islamic calendars for this year while maintaining the highest holy days for each faith. Dr. Cushing said students who observe a removed holiday would be able to take it off under the EB provisions of district policy and that the district will not count those absences against students.

Committee discussion focused on outreach to faith leaders, the operational question of running school on Good Friday if many staff take the day off, and how the calendar complies with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regulation 603 CMR 27.00 on school days. Member Rousseau moved to adopt Option Triangle; the roll call that followed recorded Member Graham, Member Olapade, Member Reinfeld, Member Rousseau and Mayor Mary Lungo Kern voting yes, Member Entapa voting no and one member absent.

The committee also voted to send proposed changes to policy ICICA (district calendar policy) to the policy subcommittee for review and to invite faith leaders and community representatives to that subcommittee meeting. That referral passed by roll call, 6–0 with one member absent.

What happens next: District leadership said it will work with school leaders and the teacher union to plan staffing for days when observant staff or students may be absent, and the policy subcommittee will consider the recommended language updates to ICICA and the handling of election days and Indigenous Peoples Day/Columbus Day naming.

Note: The committee discussed graduation scheduling; under Option Triangle presented to the committee, graduation would be scheduled earlier than in some past years to meet calendar constraints.","The School Committee approved the 2025–26 school calendar (Option Triangle), setting the first day for Aug. 27 and approving a plan that reduces one religious holiday in each of three faiths as a one‑time adjustment; the committee also sent policy ICICA to the policy subcommittee for review.",{"_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},6273473,"Medford School Committee ratifies three‑year teachers contract, cites added instructional time and professional development",79,5493000,5572000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3000421-e44af3d79e728d847942dd647badd998&start=5493&end=5572","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3000421-e44af3d79e728d847942dd647badd998/thumbnail_5493000.jpg","/articles/6273473/Massachusetts/Medford-School-Committee-ratifies-threeyear-teachers-contract-cites-added-instructional-time-and-professional-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6273473-26021a597cdafee17c6072fcde43b62a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770409557&Signature=ErYcBOOL5tjmUWg9SIBscsAzm81w72aGXtIFcGY1y2kwPpzXhwgkNgRNFIbXzkFkf-TRofUsh9KfL0ELASaIhOr4AyoiSAM5UBpUl~j56JXdQlwv9BghfstaJszqX7KdTIvoVprGdLuS--6IO0Crw~ojvRSFLfhYZ9wPeM7gwa256t75GzDFRyhHwLaYWn5SE7SGGaAPyH947FyPwWkrcEnLBtw1iezkOJXpIPXJL66-zNlY3TyFblg~rrG9MBsxC8JhW60lEIYhx7li2rZMLnexm0UKs1Sr6Kq8Rg1ta8KyC59rA4uMdCnsYNN3MbWMJ3i9lCdqlczi3Zu1lsWUgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Medford School Committee voted to ratify a three‑year contract with the Medford Teachers Association (MTA), concluding formal approval on April 14 with five members voting in favor and two members absent.

The contract ratified by the committee follows a vote by MTA members on April 8 to accept the agreement. The district said the contract implements parts of the override approved by voters and will add 15 minutes to the school day, add two professional development days for staff, reduce the number of half days and make changes intended to expand academic support and elective access at the high school level.

Superintendent Dr. Suzanne Galusi told the committee that the district and the union “worked really hard to bring the promises of the override to life in a real way for students,” and described schedule and program changes the contract will enable. Dr. Galusi said the agreement will support changes including “alignment of the high school schedule to move to a 7‑block schedule” and additional time for early learners.

Dr. Cushing, who presented details alongside district staff, described the negotiations as collaborative and emphasized the operational work ahead, saying the district will spend the remainder of the school year and the summer preparing schedules and staffing for the changes.

Committee members thanked the bargaining teams, district staff and voters who approved the override funding that made elements of the contract possible. The superintendent said the district issued a press release for families and directed families to the Medford Public Schools website for further details.

Action and next steps: The committee formally recorded the ratification (five in favor, two absent). District staff will implement calendar and schedule changes and communicate details to families and school staff before the 2025–26 school year.","The Medford School Committee voted to ratify a three‑year contract with the Medford Teachers Association that includes added student instructional time, two additional professional development days and reductions in half days.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

After executive session, committee approves request to mayor and council for security project funding options

School committee approves modest tuition increases for Kids Corner and preschool (MEEP); before/after care discussion continues

School committee adopts Option Triangle calendar for 2025–26; refers calendar policy to subcommittee

Medford School Committee ratifies three‑year teachers contract, cites added instructional time and professional development