[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6265694,"mediaKeyId","3089018-c18c851b936ab4fa5511feadab01f136","parentId",3089018,"title","Votes at a glance: committee ratifies contracts, approves leases and moves several operating items","audioSeconds",408,"startMs",10364000,"endMs",10772000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3089018-c18c851b936ab4fa5511feadab01f136&start=10364&end=10772","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3089018-c18c851b936ab4fa5511feadab01f136/thumbnail_10364000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6265694/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-committee-ratifies-contracts-approves-leases-and-moves-several-operating-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265694-4cd7225bbf548c1d090996ea32c662fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114038&Signature=XKKCRrJiky2zcEYkiWGfvzUku3VgHbHgXwcUQfXY438Ptyha~hhs1xQ8SHJRKyFlUZAJRubpyG51Nnz94aU3rmAmsPmOBtM4wn3m79dEgrNoyJE8tMAfhmw1wextho1XcMshrxcurROHKYkNlFHI98quRz1YglV8xj41QNf833saL0rlw04ksU2FQXA16uucXIRbQjNeTWKcyjwQ1QCP92rKYnM8m~BhnTER1WMcIW7Ig2IzDtfQYggITNyeE8AerCszX~26wREf~Imel1bMR1dcdQ2DVWLQbOKEHUySxp~PvnM~IIBSJFh8zTyzSOLm6C0bAyCC1U9Mwnfsmx6B-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Methuen Public Schools, MA","date","2025-04-23T04:59:06.57Z","article","The Methuen School Committee approved a series of votes on contracts, leases and operating adjustments during the meeting; the committee also tabled the main 2025–26 school calendar after adopting an amendment.

Key votes recorded at the meeting (outcomes reflect roll calls or voice votes given in the public record):

- Ratify Unit A collective bargaining agreement (CBA): Passed by roll call (unanimous). Committee roll‑call recorded affirmative votes from Member DeZaglio, Member Donovan, Member Keegan, Member Maxwell, Member Shabilia, Member Willett and Mayor Borregard.

- Ratify Unit C collective bargaining agreement (CBA): Passed by roll call (unanimous). Committee recorded unanimous affirmative votes.

- Approve Crest Collaborative articles of agreement amendments: Approved (voice vote). The committee noted the regional board had already approved amendments and each district is asked to ratify.

- Approve Ranger Club fee increases for 2025–26 and summer 2025: Approved (voice vote). Administration said the program is self‑sustaining and fees were not increased annually in recent years.

- Approve Apple iPad lease (district device refresh): Approved (voice vote). Committee discussion included questions about timing and resale of old devices; staff said lease timing is tied to procurement and city council approval steps.

- Approve Chromebook lease: Approved (voice vote). Committee members discussed disposal or resale of retiring devices and possible future options for buyouts.

- Approve transfer of FY25 funds to contracted services: Approved by roll call (recorded as 6‑0‑1 passing; one member recorded as “present”).

- Approve student activity account reauthorization: Approved (voice vote).

- Approve June 16, 2025 as the last day of school: Approved (voice vote).

- 2025–26 School calendar: Committee considered the proposed calendar and voted to amend it to provide a full two‑week winter break; the committee then voted to table the calendar approval and to continue consideration at a later meeting.

Committee members noted that some votes (for example, the contract ratifications) have budget implications that will be reflected in the upcoming budget workshop and city budget process. Several approvals were unanimous by roll call; others passed by voice vote and were recorded as \"the ayes have it.\" Specific roll‑call tallies are published in the official minutes and were read into the record when applicable.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Methuen School Committee Meeting 04-14-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee ratified collective‑bargaining agreements, approved program and technology leases, and handled several operating motions; it tabled the main 2025–26 calendar after adopting an amendment.","taxTitle","Methuen Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",38562,"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},6265699,"District reports winter benchmark results, expands K–4 ELA pilots and learning‑acceleration walk‑throughs",3167,7268000,10435000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3089018-c18c851b936ab4fa5511feadab01f136&start=7268&end=10435","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3089018-c18c851b936ab4fa5511feadab01f136/thumbnail_7268000.jpg","/articles/6265699/Massachusetts/District-reports-winter-benchmark-results-expands-K4-ELA-pilots-and-learningacceleration-walkthroughs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265699-a2a149d0ab4ae49c6e9cfddb6784bb97/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114038&Signature=oJL71HvjBA-7mwnf66Wxykx0Zeysx7yGD3ntjqdBJLyumKAbPN4jGaRkLACEi00E6EBX4UWO9W5vpO5OWmB2j1rqSzHtST0d-2DZn9V~72ZJOrlJriBq7rbvcD9GdmrKlVWdqYqx~Z~zG2crnQjtcfWqYdXAEs~hQhzQLzJfFr0pvqUSHeVaagBz3~VfI8xP6TK-~y2bWOWA~vKBIiaHhDbrAHKJrtXZQfRBQG-MSuDOBXSn3VHEpGWySWc5sLlpRxGrI9u1y9koJFmHWWn8Ir76LFN8e2p~~4noSxZxZ9ZQxmCmf6JRjkSsRgrkOFYEl18uKU3s23~qC2oNgeq3Cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District curriculum leaders reported a quarter‑three progress update covering reading benchmarks, selection of K–4 English language arts materials and classroom walk‑throughs that measure instructional depth and student engagement.

Assistant curriculum leadership presented winter benchmark results from January. The district uses DIBELS screening in the early grades and DreamBox Insight (Reading Plus) for upper elementary and middle grades; staff noted that grade‑4 results are complicated by a test transition and that supervisors sometimes retest students with DIBELS to confirm low scores. The presentation compared cohorts year‑over‑year and showed some gains in kindergarten and other grades while identifying cohorts that require continued focus because they were in kindergarten or first grade during the pandemic.

The district is piloting three K–4 ELA programs — a newer Wonders edition, EL Education (used in upper grades) and Amplify's 2025 curriculum — with teachers across grades serving as pilot sites. The committee heard that piloting teachers will present reactions to colleagues during an upcoming professional development session, and that the materials’ alignment to district learning goals and student engagement are key criteria in the selection.

The Learning Acceleration Network (TNTP) walk‑through snapshots were highlighted: classrooms with high‑quality text are common, but more lessons need tasks that reach the full depth of standards; the share of classrooms rated where students are “responsible for doing the thinking” increased from about 15% to 55% between visits, reflecting faster growth in student‑centered practice. The district also described Blue Engine‑supported co‑teaching work at the high school and several college‑and‑career events intended to broaden students’ post‑secondary awareness.

Committee members sought additional subgroup breakouts (English learners and students with disabilities) and asked for future reporting that maintains comparable data year to year. Leaders said they will provide that subgroup breakdown and continue monitoring program pilots, assessment alignment and progress‑monitoring.","Quarter‑three strategy update showed mixed winter benchmark results, new K–4 ELA pilot work with three publishers, ongoing DreamBox/Insight and DIBELS screening and Learning Acceleration Network walk‑through gains in student engagement.",{"_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},6265705,"Superintendent, mayor tell committee budget work is ongoing; enrollment and circuit‑breaker funding explained",119,1716000,1835000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3089018-c18c851b936ab4fa5511feadab01f136&start=1716&end=1835","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3089018-c18c851b936ab4fa5511feadab01f136/thumbnail_1716000.jpg","/articles/6265705/Massachusetts/Superintendent-mayor-tell-committee-budget-work-is-ongoing-enrollment-and-circuitbreaker-funding-explained","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265705-07246232793e7f2ac94d6b36bbce9783/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114038&Signature=JR~PEGjOltqp9bV1cNq-E8zBwWZbta00thRb7wlm4C1KZvMcxtsrEYroEJgDnEgQKnykIro4sOnFPDFlqOUNP426Hxz-C~3Y6TrXRKXwHnZLGaS2F3oTrnIIoqCWId14nxjqmt7dg75kRsSrdmwpXzGklKAIlAs4AUW~avL2iw4GA0ZqK5fylCJIyjTP145fxpi8v8nAGls6WlkDneTIA6M~hyPBNDfpWx6HrvSGUT~meoup9ZzU1lPn37CZfJ2UxnLxpevjQ0QioHHusejA00n7EDCU6FGxZ~jVgUw82ajW81IfwvpqApfMPAGCPbJQpa5decE-MJ75VYRroej2FQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Wong and Mayor Borregard told the Methuen School Committee that fiscal‑year 2026 budget conversations were active and that the committee had not taken any votes on line‑item cuts.

\"The school committee has not taken a single vote on the fiscal year 20 26 budget. As of right now, nothing has been touched,\" the mayor said, adding that the Fine Arts Department at the high school was \"not going anywhere\" and urging the community to wait for the budget workshop scheduled later in the week.

Committee members pressed administrators for detail on how the district manages enrollment and higher‑need students. Assistant staff explained that state funding for the foundation budget is set based on the October 1 enrollment snapshot, and students who enroll after that date do not generate prorated state aid for the current year. \"By regulation, it is the October 1 enrollment,\" an administrator said, adding that the district sometimes must absorb the local cost when students enter midyear.

Special education costs were discussed in the context of Massachusetts' \"circuit breaker\" program, which staff said provides additional funding to offset unexpectedly high special‑education costs. Staff described several year‑to‑date temporary additions —1:1 nurses, program assistants and contracted behavior supports — that the district has placed in classrooms on a temporary basis until a new budget can formalize full‑time positions.

Committee members raised questions about vacant positions, stipends, and whether some roles listed as vacant should instead be recorded as stipended coverage. The administration said it would review the vacancy list and confirm which assignments are covered by stipends or hourly overtime and which positions remain open. Staff also said the district contracts for some psychologist and speech services when full‑time hires are not available.

No formal budget votes were taken at the meeting. The superintendent and mayor said they would continue budget discussions with the city and present updated proposals at the committee’s scheduled budget workshop.","Superintendent and mayor said the school committee had not voted on FY26 cuts and urged patience; staff explained October 1 enrollment rules, circuit‑breaker support for special education, rising ESL caseloads and the district’s temporary use of stipends and contracted services to cover vacancies.",{"_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},6265709,"Methuen committee reviews Timoney and Marsh air‑quality reports; boilers, exhaust fans and radon testing identified as follow‑ups",1177,2574000,3751000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3089018-c18c851b936ab4fa5511feadab01f136&start=2574&end=3751","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3089018-c18c851b936ab4fa5511feadab01f136/thumbnail_2574000.jpg","/articles/6265709/Massachusetts/Methuen-committee-reviews-Timoney-and-Marsh-airquality-reports-boilers-exhaust-fans-and-radon-testing-identified-as-followups","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265709-1419f436f4786eed4c124856f9c19173/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114038&Signature=PJYoyJ7yj77bGQhQ7Jq09Qk7gmDxiYCujJv~MrK4fObugq6k2ZmhjvYRSjIQXY7MGdP~o8Gz8v8sDixWjvu6p6FBVQoZL7zm1eLBuEVA2oLCFzCO~Iz73sKYXJUPH1chuVp1XeGGXrvD7NSkpAWSiIJ3fU1JOvWQaOsqXYBGWs-T7wauIW0AHFPuP-WeHWJOEqQKBc6cjtQdqjOsEePEIhtjVjeiTxSf7olz-MA0dJBbBmusmMvPC4fQJoRL~YqFKQHhAGshdtkCWWFhavrUsctL6QPisRBRxMqpQ7zInk1x3UnQA3f2fJUXg~cjL2TOXB-3jJKMPYZixxEoyjgBXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","School committee members pressed facilities staff on air quality and building systems after recent assessments at the Timoney and Marsh schools highlighted problems the committee said require action.

\"A lot of our exhaust fans on the roof, belts are broken, motors are broken,\" Member Willett said while reviewing the facilities report. Facilities staff and committee members said work already done at Timoney included replacement of dozens of exhaust fans to improve fresh air intake and ventilation. Members stressed that some fixes are operational (cleaning vents, replacing belts) while others require capital investment.

Member Maxwell asked whether radon testing had ever been completed in district schools; staff replied that radon testing is seasonally timed (winter months) and that the district will need to schedule it. The committee also asked about high carbon‑dioxide parts‑per‑million readings in some Timoney classrooms. Facilities staff said many intake vents had been physically blocked by stored items in classrooms and that new exhaust fans should improve ventilation.

The Timoney boilers also drew scrutiny. Committee members and staff said a piece of Boiler 2 was state‑tagged and requires repair or replacement of a component between chambers; staff said this is not a full boiler replacement but may require brazing or a part replacement. The Marsh boiler was reported to have a bid opening and an anticipated replacement start date in June.

Other work discussed included removal and replacement of soiled or water‑damaged panels, replacement of broken playground elements, pest mitigation including metallic door barriers, and a program of tree pruning and landscaping that committee members urged be scheduled for the summer to reduce rodent harboring areas.

Member DeZaglio and others urged the administration to seek partnerships — for example with vocational trade schools — to help accomplish capital and maintenance work more affordably and to provide student learning opportunities. The mayor and superintendent said some upgrades will rely on the city’s capital improvement plan and extraordinary maintenance funding; committee members asked staff to prioritize projects that most directly affect student health and safety.

No formal vote was taken during the facilities discussion; staff committed to follow‑up steps including scheduling radon testing in winter months, completing the recommended exhaust fan replacements, clarifying the notation “NC” in the Timoney air‑quality writeups, and providing a timeline for playground and tree work.","School committee members reviewed facility assessments for Timoney and Marsh schools, discussed elevated CO2 readings, exhaust fan replacements, a state‑tagged boiler repair at Timoney, radon testing and longer‑term capital needs including roofing and playground repairs.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6265715,"Methuen students urge free menstrual product dispensers; provide cost estimate",192,1251000,1443000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3089018-c18c851b936ab4fa5511feadab01f136&start=1251&end=1443","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3089018-c18c851b936ab4fa5511feadab01f136/thumbnail_1251000.jpg","/articles/6265715/Massachusetts/Methuen-students-urge-free-menstrual-product-dispensers-provide-cost-estimate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265715-cd59ea6dfcf8a4287d92a9dadf689deb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114038&Signature=otDOZ99V63aUNZMPW-~K3dvPgv7BrDxOdTNB~YKVMvxTFuJ9a8wMX0QJ3Qp8w-Czo6bBmwAQrGS5M3HWhrfWqsLx8C2CzZ9TbWIPJSAlDFziWeePB0mfx~oHj8zPwNk4bH1UHIy5CSI~X10TT6eMgpJRd8CP9yfYoD5XSV26Ew9GrEQrgySdcWrkPt6WmaAQSblZH8u0sVPqAFAsPOtDp2BDCJ9PLxo2Kv4NmzY2ldXV12~L1gMH621i2PlAMdhNiwh82Inq06RZOI568zXGb472Lfs~DRIBSFLMGOR~Wy4fLN~wgNCQwzXIEIvHayWxnYZe4iJBh~WatvpaC3a4SA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Four eighth‑grade students from the Fusco civics class at the Marsh Grammar School told the Methuen School Committee that lack of free feminine hygiene products in school restrooms causes missed class time and harms students’ comfort and attendance.

“Not having these products in the bathroom can negatively impact a student’s education,” said Nathan Touch, who spoke with classmates Leah Taeda, Sophia Cirilla and Lacey Cloutier during the public participation portion of the meeting. The students said their timing of the process — sign out, go to the nurse, wait for a nurse to retrieve a pad or tampon, return to the bathroom and then to class — took “6 minutes and 40 seconds” in their timed example.

The students asked the committee to approve installation of Go On Flow dispensers that dispense free pads and tampons. They shared vendor pricing: three Model E wall-mounted dispensers priced at $341 each (a total one‑time cost of $1,023) and an estimated annual refill cost of $1,458 for 4,500 pads and tampons, based on a supplier recommendation of 15 products per female student per school year. “All products in the dispenser are free to students,” the students told the board.

Superintendent Wong thanked the students and said he would work on the concern. Committee members did not take a formal vote on the request during the meeting. The students left posters and other materials with the superintendent’s office for follow‑up.

The students framed their ask as a classroom‑time and equity issue: they reported survey results they said showed 96 percent of surveyed students supported free products in bathrooms, 86 percent do not carry quarters needed for existing coin‑operated dispensers, and custodial staff told them they do not have keys to the current dispensers, limiting restocking. The students recommended the district evaluate the vendor pricing they supplied and consider using district or external funding to supply dispensers and one year of products.

The superintendent and committee members said they would review the request and the materials the students provided; no formal action or funding commitment was recorded at the meeting.","Four eighth-graders told the Methuen School Committee that lack of free feminine hygiene products causes missed class time and suggested school-funded dispensers, providing vendor pricing and a one‑year refill cost estimate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: committee ratifies contracts, approves leases and moves several operating items

District reports winter benchmark results, expands K–4 ELA pilots and learning‑acceleration walk‑throughs

Superintendent, mayor tell committee budget work is ongoing; enrollment and circuit‑breaker funding explained

Methuen committee reviews Timoney and Marsh air‑quality reports; boilers, exhaust fans and radon testing identified as follow‑ups

Methuen students urge free menstrual product dispensers; provide cost estimate