[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6535750,"mediaKeyId","3361009-32530497f99c0b61e9c6f970ed992ccc","parentId",3361009,"title","Committee awards three‑year before/after school contract to Kidsboro; contract to run through 2028","audioSeconds",2004,"startMs",3765000,"endMs",5769000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3361009-32530497f99c0b61e9c6f970ed992ccc&start=3765&end=5769","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3361009-32530497f99c0b61e9c6f970ed992ccc/thumbnail_3765000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6535750/Grafton-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/Committee-awards-threeyear-beforeafter-school-contract-to-Kidsboro-contract-to-run-through-2028","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535750-0bd35fc39163a424dd2c6d13c6370530/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169463&Signature=n2MytWs59DybjZ7pH2sc-9kx14bg5ZLG-xNxFsmv-ZnTLAbEOT6PK5ysy5lytXAt-25834kbLswCk6G76nalzztvVgtEC-t0NY1qS-5hsr7wQxqBNvottIvx5pxaLzHeJ1Bi7vui3GzzmydHQcdzYEEG6w3wPfWVG67SUao~xqm6FTJDCNGOWsRhnWvEEv5Ujin0jcCTMQyvaGNDp3foWMdzjO2tTL1aqeKbpUsiPRrYtg-dtlbQaYy8w4Wshh7~7hzHh-vOXQ7rQHH1UeYBLYLLNqptQn~Zem1l~kmlbbg1chpPiVjej7JOJ6xImIbVTxWPiNC6NsMt2CRy1Pn79g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grafton Public Schools, MA","date","2025-05-17T20:12:52Z","article","The Grafton School Committee voted May 13 to award the before‑ and after‑school care contract to Kidsboro (the district’s incumbent provider) after evaluating three sealed bids.

District administrators said three firms submitted proposals and the review team — including the finance director and program leads — used the RFP rubric to evaluate submissions. Committee members said Kidsboro was recommended based on responsiveness, positive feedback from principals and parents, and the company’s local presence (Kidsboro is based in Southborough).

The contract covers before‑ and after‑school care and summer programming and is structured as a multi‑year agreement running through June 30, 2028. The district noted the vendor’s sliding fee scale and existing late‑pickup fee aligned with other providers ($1 per minute late fee is in the provider schedule); administrators also noted that the committee is not required to choose the lowest bid and prioritized value and responsiveness in the review.

Committee members voted to approve the contract; administration will finalize the contract language and return executed documents to the committee. Staff said they will post contract details and the vendor’s fee schedule to the district procurement records and notify families of program details for next school year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Committee 5-13-25.mp4","oneSentenceSummary","After reviewing three bids, the committee approved a multi‑year contract with Kidsboro (current provider) to run before‑ and after‑school programs and summer services; contract extends through June 30, 2028.","taxTitle","Grafton Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",53302,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6535755,"Grafton School Committee accepts 2025 superintendent evaluation, notes progress on literacy and emergency preparedness",243,3373000,3616000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3361009-32530497f99c0b61e9c6f970ed992ccc&start=3373&end=3616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3361009-32530497f99c0b61e9c6f970ed992ccc/thumbnail_3373000.jpg","/articles/6535755/Grafton-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/Grafton-School-Committee-accepts-2025-superintendent-evaluation-notes-progress-on-literacy-and-emergency-preparedness","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535755-e40a30a0da7aee5a0cbede8714807566/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169462&Signature=Zb8w0rvAZLB0kc1uWQaZHWs94iaZmORKMTc6HP1Kvjb4eQaqEnfBBzFEos~L2R2CP5gNHGTNVvlzREFgWyZxFI5Jiub0KwsJcF1sAJ9x0Ky35OkX3iAXaZtd~mifzA0QavzQ1zQE9RGQF6LKOw5Gz9OwP~NqZi8~5ORjmsFMYxbJxp3Mz4tpnOJbZZhiibaMfqALOx2tZ3HZGgWCbZJR7GwnJfxK2eHcpKuuUmEK9L68-qXCzwGONBbuPCVe~02eycf3YqKve8i~jDErp-atxbunFJlRGqz0nleP7kx8kj2nVuZ3eP5AEWErfY6CTQLXQNYfyxUx3eDza1TeH5MOeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grafton School Committee unanimously accepted the 2025 evaluation of Superintendent Dr. Cummings at its May 13 meeting, noting a mix of accomplishments and areas for continued attention.

Committee members summarized goal outcomes in the written evaluation: the first learning goal — raising student literacy proficiency by 10% — was recorded as met by most committee members; a second learning goal to increase math proficiency by 10% showed progress but did not meet the 10% target this year, a result committee members attributed in part to implementation of a new math curriculum. Professional practice and instructional leadership areas were rated proficient to exemplary across reviewers; emergency‑preparedness leadership was noted as met or exceeded.

Dr. Cummings accepted the feedback and credited district staff for collaborative work. “Just about anything positive that I accomplish is a reflection of the work of others,” he told the committee. He thanked directors and school staff and said he will incorporate committee feedback in the year ahead.

The committee voted to accept and approve the superintendent evaluation as presented. The matter was recorded in the minutes and the evaluation will be filed as part of the superintendent’s official personnel record.","The committee accepted the 2025 evaluation for Superintendent Dr. Cummings; members noted goals met or progressed, including literacy gains and emergency preparedness, and asked for continued focus on math proficiency and communications.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6535760,"School committee backs MASC resolution urging end to BMI screening in public schools",679,2679000,3358000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3361009-32530497f99c0b61e9c6f970ed992ccc&start=2679&end=3358","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3361009-32530497f99c0b61e9c6f970ed992ccc/thumbnail_2679000.jpg","/articles/6535760/Grafton-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/School-committee-backs-MASC-resolution-urging-end-to-BMI-screening-in-public-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535760-3b0afd0f13970e6f332f7d1ece286530/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169462&Signature=UjZjPoh7uBufAq0IPaUCksYwlzFRL11OjJaUcbxaFt9wnA5WYo1YrK~gku8MBHaEszgjSGseNEv76Twf64LEDyNP-KSzVnBnYXhVDDheQMkBaKeHD08s9djdEyP-Em-R-0KTOFp1K1vU11wcM0DPy6sdao6NnpEtIjzRHGdj4EoAPCgT6o4MRyG9xSElDKibtVU85zwz6GaxzA6AguIVmvOUA4Jtq1JyaVQduXrek4qUZsKy~TOZmQBnGTcgsZwpqEAd8FirwF4AZp7BhpxoIXK75Ab0ksU9aZoH-NpSqOV4aXjYixQ9kZvnTU-9HMddcqG42nC4Z5QYTzZ6Fu1k2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grafton School Committee voted May 13 to support a proposed 2025 Massachusetts Association of School Committees resolution urging the state to remove mandated body‑mass‑index (BMI) screening in public schools.

Rebecca Soko introduced the resolution and outlined research she reviewed arguing BMI has limited usefulness as a population health screening tool and can cause harm for adolescents. \"There is a lot of evidence that it is not really meaningful and ... the damage that it can do ... is astronomical,\" Soko said during committee discussion. The resolution text that Soko circulated to the committee argued the BMI formula originated in 19th‑century measurements of adults and does not reliably reflect health across populations or during puberty.

Committee members said the requirement imposes training, privacy and reporting burdens on district nurses and staff while providing no clear in‑school intervention. One member noted students already obtain annual physical examinations from health care providers that include weight and growth information, and questioned the need for a separate school measurement that is then only reported to the state public health department.

Soko moved the motion to support the resolution; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. The committee agreed the resolution will be forwarded to the MASC annual conference this fall for consideration as part of the association’s legislative agenda.

The resolution text asks the MASC to urge the Legislature to remove BMI screening requirements from public schools and to ban BMI screenings in school settings. The committee signaled support for the position and for wider outreach to other districts seeking co‑sponsors.","The committee voted to support a Massachusetts Association of School Committees resolution calling for removal of mandated BMI screening in public schools, with members citing potential harm and limited actionable follow-up from screening data.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6535765,"Grafton special education staff outline preschool placement rules, tuition comparisons and inclusion priorities",1299,838000,2137000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3361009-32530497f99c0b61e9c6f970ed992ccc&start=838&end=2137","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3361009-32530497f99c0b61e9c6f970ed992ccc/thumbnail_838000.jpg","/articles/6535765/Grafton-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/Grafton-special-education-staff-outline-preschool-placement-rules-tuition-comparisons-and-inclusion-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535765-d90396d0dbf4c7f8e1bbc7dbfb7c8943/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169462&Signature=Jvz2TgcrZW~srIE6155MHS7KNqOUveXTYOXDvJkeQQZxH1JMXEZ~2yuqDvQn110Uex3Wo9C~DtfgOI5ZU5LBAAnE3dwpgvqNt0TN2ZF50iEpOLM7~2-3PQVvvlh6StpAAKu7ZTmlPOq4LEgH1BhNeNJQtPQqzt16h-uTL~Ebt3Q1oBMMHNgfhDmG3ydPGH2hV6UVKeXWTKdOANVe0QCYfvH5eBt8BeIwShCSAaFCm5ff~CH04kfG0FJYU~3K6QB3SQogtO5bBAX6OlhGGiBWy7pCDe0oqRPFtVWoV5GNfga09M81gVKMgoHQJnVgwpyViv8AEBwUTDsW~Ari40gQww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Special education leaders told the Grafton School Committee on May 13 that the district’s integrated preschool program is regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and relies on having a majority of community peers in each classroom for true inclusion.

Nicole McDonald, speaking as a district special education leader, described the integrated preschool model as a DESE special education program for 3‑ to 5‑year‑olds that pairs students with disabilities and typical peers in the same classroom and requires specific ratios and staff qualifications. McDonald said the district typically staffs classrooms so that community peers outnumber students receiving special education services and that the program’s viability depends on sustained community‑peer enrollment.

McDonald and the committee discussed how the district projects preschool classroom need using early intervention referral numbers, historical eligibility trends and expected kindergarten transitions. McDonald said the district uses multiple-year data and early‑intervention referrals to estimate incoming special education preschool students but cannot obtain detailed referral information until parents provide permission to share it.

The presentation included tuition comparisons: McDonald reported the district’s current half‑day preschool tuition is $4,000 and full‑day tuition is $6,500; she also showed a midrange of comparable districts where some half‑day averages are higher and full‑day averages vary. She told the committee that changing tuition too rapidly could reduce community‑peer participation, which is essential to maintaining an integrated model. McDonald said the district has seven half‑day sections (eight students per section) and two full‑day classrooms (eight students per classroom), which equates to roughly 56 half‑day slots and about 16 full‑day slots.

Committee members raised questions about how revenue from tuition is used and the impact of proposed state-level moves to expand universal preschool. McDonald said the boosters, district staff and finance director have historically worked to incrementally raise tuition while preserving access; she also noted a sliding fee scale exists to assist families who need financial help.

Chris Kitchell, who leads related co‑teaching and inclusion professional development, described district professional development designed to strengthen co‑teaching practices, align specially designed instruction with the district’s new ELA and math curriculum, and build an in‑house library of co‑teaching examples for staff. He described recent unified sports expansions at the middle school and said staff would continue follow‑up sessions with co‑teaching pairs next year.

Committee members thanked staff for the data and said fee decisions will come to the committee as part of the budget process. The committee did not vote on fees at the meeting; staff said they plan to return with more details in the budget cycle.","District special education leaders described how integrated preschool placement is determined, explained differences between DESE-regulated integrated preschool and EEC-regulated child care, and presented tuition and enrollment figures the committee will consider in the next budget cycle.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6535768,"Grafton School Committee approves one-year advertising pilot to raise recurring funds for athletics",778,25000,803000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3361009-32530497f99c0b61e9c6f970ed992ccc&start=25&end=803","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3361009-32530497f99c0b61e9c6f970ed992ccc/thumbnail_25000.jpg","/articles/6535768/Grafton-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/Grafton-School-Committee-approves-one-year-advertising-pilot-to-raise-recurring-funds-for-athletics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535768-ecc6464ba528d52ab91a3091071c6ba7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169462&Signature=o8N9ORh0Rm3XPrvnmPEVwbCOLrnsNQpQ8NHoc6OPyKKS5qPzNXSvYzvyuasH6ackSWNLZhV9J~6O2VY8WHgVovLS-zEX3vvKnqTaGtyM-5gt7b0QxTHAbBaYMf3Su9~KDUEqLWdUsOs673gKvBPgjKz~QuY3bU5Qeg5zVuZjDWy5EsXggWn9XFmSotgjaqGNhS1UYoVOv6TPrhA2qfxSWLPt~Hu~TDcYJCyWj9peOUfRLcH6LRsYtyxmV8uHi0Slu4~ALDj6LYBLY1m2WWAUWfc0PQuRuA11ivA0GJgo0vv7o0Y82VwrOWG3bGWFi028q2z-HlmfPtzSDVEnlAFoWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grafton School Committee on May 13 approved a one-year advertising pilot allowing local businesses to place standardized signs at Grafton High School athletic facilities and other district fields, a plan presented by Keith Jensen, president of the reinvigorated Grafton Boosters Club.

Proponents said the pilot is designed to create steady, recurring revenue to support athletics and reduce athletic fees. Jensen told the committee the pilot would be “flexible” — in duration, advertisers and locations — and recommended an initial August-to-August contract term with the school committee retaining final approval over advertisers and sign designs. He said the boosters would exclude liquor, cannabis and political advertisers and proposed a conservative annual revenue goal of about $10,000 with a stretch target of $20,000.

Committee members praised the plan as a way to support student athletes without recurring one-off fundraising events. Laura Austin, a committee member, thanked Jensen for volunteering with the boosters and said the committee could exercise the responsibility of approving advertisers so volunteers would not have to reject applicants directly. Members discussed starting placements at the stadium and upper turf, then possibly adding softball and baseball fields; they agreed the gym would be considered later.

After discussion the committee voted to approve the pilot for one year. The motion was made by Laura Austin and was seconded; no roll-call was taken on the record and the motion carried.

The boosters said signs would be standardized in color and size to maintain a consistent look; Jensen cited Marblehead High’s program as a model and said boosters aim for a more polished design. He told the committee the program requires little ongoing effort once signs are installed and that a marketing partner — a recent college graduate working on sales and production — could handle outreach and installation.

Committee members asked how revenue would be used; Jensen and others said funds would be directed to directly support athletics and to avoid or reduce athletic fees, with the committee and district staff (Ashley, identified as a district contact) determining final allocations. Discussion also noted the boosters operate scholarship and concession programs and that recurring sponsorship revenue differs from one‑time scoreboard or event fundraising.

With approval, the committee directs staff and the boosters to finalize terms and an advertiser approval process before the August start of the pilot.

The committee meeting included other business after the vote.","The Grafton School Committee voted to allow a one-year advertising pilot on school athletic fields to generate recurring revenue for the Grafton Boosters Club; the program will run on a flexible, committee-approved basis and disallow certain advertiser types.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee awards three‑year before/after school contract to Kidsboro; contract to run through 2028

Grafton School Committee accepts 2025 superintendent evaluation, notes progress on literacy and emergency preparedness

School committee backs MASC resolution urging end to BMI screening in public schools

Grafton special education staff outline preschool placement rules, tuition comparisons and inclusion priorities

Grafton School Committee approves one-year advertising pilot to raise recurring funds for athletics