[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",6535751,"mediaKeyId","3361004-85b301321fb6aa3cb596ba3ad9a51d6e","parentId",3361004,"title","School committee awards before/after-school care contract to Kidsboro for three years","audioSeconds",2059,"startMs",3704000,"endMs",5763000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3361004-85b301321fb6aa3cb596ba3ad9a51d6e&start=3704&end=5763","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3361004-85b301321fb6aa3cb596ba3ad9a51d6e/thumbnail_3704000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6535751/Grafton-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/School-committee-awards-beforeafter-school-care-contract-to-Kidsboro-for-three-years","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535751-933bb18980b6883c381d14e069e251c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1773770063&Signature=DzG0vrEpg9FohNfC8APE7ZwAgJj0DmaduVMJUyP6f7IpFurBxl3jdJSNjsjPGO-QLUOsWRhm6bRg26LvqY~YlOf92mYbJiA-j3ENDXFPca4Be4sB2CK6TNR1VZXBsCwBRiIMUoTcIWvRZFEKHINKT8r5AZ6HIsw1YpTYQnolw1yZ1UThs1Jrh18TQPYOCdgE8jejOUgWnGfr6ySzVQvDAnCvwx2xSLk9WBjGECdM7nH3RJKXJP70aB29V~fa5JXctWr5MGGduaL9V~VW~jBGLGCntU1cxvMjNzbGHOId2IsAsgnqst2n2fw7qb1mu9jjUYHAOTIOVwsEGN1AgQvAlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grafton Public Schools, MA","date","2025-05-17T20:21:36Z","article","The Grafton School Committee voted to award the district’s before‑ and after‑school care services contract to the incumbent vendor identified in the bids as “Kidsboro” (transcript variant spellings appear in the record) after a review of three sealed proposals.

District staff said the procurement team used the RFP rubric to evaluate submissions. The review yielded 11 inquiries and three formal bids; staff and the evaluation team (identified in the discussion as Kathleen, Frank Rothwell and Shawn Carlson) graded the submissions and recommended the incumbent provider based on responsiveness, local presence and references from principals and parents.

Committee members noted that the district is not required to accept the lowest bid and that quality and responsiveness were key evaluation criteria. Staff said the recommended vendor is local (out of Southborough) and has been responsive in addressing issues, and principals and parents reported satisfaction with the provider.

The motion approved the contract to run through June 30, 2028, with the initial term set to begin for the coming school year. Committee members asked about bid pricing and late‑pickup fees; staff said the vendor’s fee schedule included a late pickup rate of $1 per minute (consistent with other respondents) and a sliding fee scale for families needing financial assistance. The finance director and procurement team will finalize the contract documents with the awardee.

A motion to award the contract was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote; meeting minutes show the committee approved the contract and instructed staff to finalize the agreement.

Committee members asked staff to circulate the bid summary and recommended vendor pricing for the record; staff said they would provide more detailed numbers to the committee outside the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Committee 5-13-25","oneSentenceSummary","After reviewing three bids, the committee awarded the district’s before- and after‑school care contract to the incumbent provider (recorded in bids as ‘Kidsboro’/variants) for a three‑year term 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},6535756,"Committee accepts 2025 superintendent evaluation, notes strengths and areas for growth",311,3339000,3650000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3361004-85b301321fb6aa3cb596ba3ad9a51d6e&start=3339&end=3650","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3361004-85b301321fb6aa3cb596ba3ad9a51d6e/thumbnail_3339000.jpg","/articles/6535756/Grafton-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/Committee-accepts-2025-superintendent-evaluation-notes-strengths-and-areas-for-growth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535756-4f330a7036bbb24246c2d680ea14c8c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773770063&Signature=UFMAVh9DMzh7qpSlAifOawaYbbLlTrKJJJw-5Pjicyf1jNqOSv-6YVWVvdfIswFn36OxTFfxjNXK2rEv85glM51KiB7otcmRGnLlt29D27SWa5blTiec1mPrv0cY-SUsbONSX5kWRywoN-P8IdxP2JepYC2SADbG7HpiUXbIWoes9BVuWyZOkCl1DHrS7KAOlsH-h8WEqZPq8MPiHhN1bgAjHMof4IknqoMGOtZ30fQuEzzNXSZVkWP4aJ2Kdl6tNX2J7jweGpad3EKFkn3LbMz2hHa8O0rh0OYe511we4j7FqShV5scpVmcBPRCRdO--uHRamYv-5~kVrzA1IClaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grafton School Committee moved to accept and approve the 2025 evaluation of Dr. Cummings, the district superintendent, following a review of progress on learning goals, communications and operational performance.

Committee members reported that Dr. Cummings met or made progress on the district learning goals. Committee materials showed that goal one — raising literacy proficiency rates by 10% — was judged met by four committee members and “significant progress” by one. Goal two — a 10% increase in math proficiency described as a “moonshot” during a year when the district implemented a new mathematics curriculum — was judged as progress but not meeting the 10% target. Committee members noted the math rollout made the target unlikely this year.

On professional practice, the committee recorded mixed results: communications work had specific components left incomplete because the district did not pursue a previously proposed override and corresponding communications; some members rated sections of communications as met given extenuating circumstances, while others said more progress was needed. The committee reported the emergency preparedness goal as met or exceeded and rated instructional leadership and many areas of professional culture as exemplary or proficient.

Chair Amy Ainsley thanked committee members for their timely review. Committee members thanked Dr. Cummings and district staff for meeting unexpected challenges during the year and for progress on multiple fronts. A motion to accept and approve the superintendent evaluation was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote.

Dr. Cummings thanked staff and the committee and said he would take the feedback into planning for the coming year.","The Grafton School Committee voted to accept the 2025 evaluation of Dr. Cummings, finding progress on learning and emergency preparedness goals and mixed results on a math proficiency target.",{"_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},6535759,"School committee backs MASC resolution to end BMI screening in public schools",653,2679000,3332000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3361004-85b301321fb6aa3cb596ba3ad9a51d6e&start=2679&end=3332","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3361004-85b301321fb6aa3cb596ba3ad9a51d6e/thumbnail_2679000.jpg","/articles/6535759/Grafton-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/School-committee-backs-MASC-resolution-to-end-BMI-screening-in-public-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535759-5a958698e23405e496185bcae0a0fba5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773770063&Signature=lORPp4oXR3ry9wisdnO9VVvT~lsQZIRD8R8HEeQZAs31wsAZHW3IXwZyK6g4sRs9vxB5nuAUhE1P2iOOUWDU~036qaUlJjk5tPo47WLJGwCHFBsS2vVIBpQ2Vu6XOJdFDmS1t1Uy79rk1PpZ3VpLus73YuRiS32nDwDQsltfhmRxGhC2oYld6Y0oWzA-RulOI~VTdhq8zZBmE5zwYRlx5p9IYDrkpJdBuP9fI4eEbR4J6ib7W05~JvYymc3oDQQhpwHsX3ywDFw--tC9tSqcYYvYzyXv1-XDe-0NX3KrLsKu1Y1mZAfJ9l4J3MhhcIS8nkQAULVEpD8w~62vyHIdfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grafton School Committee voted to support a Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) resolution urging removal of mandated body mass index (BMI) screening in public schools.

The resolution, drafted by School Committee member Rebecca Soko and submitted for committee consideration, argues that BMI is an insufficient health screening tool for children and adolescents, can be misapplied across sex and racial or ethnic groups, and may increase weight stigma and eating‑disorder risk without producing school‑based interventions that improve health outcomes. The resolution notes state reporting obligations require schools to send aggregated BMI data to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health but that the practice adds staff training and privacy burdens without demonstrable in‑school follow‑up.

Soko told the committee her research showed the original BMI formula was developed using a population of adult men and does not reliably reflect body composition across diverse child and adolescent populations. She and other members cited evidence of rising eating disorder prevalence and research that school‑based screening has not been shown to improve BMI outcomes.

Chair Amy Ainsley explained that a committee vote to support the resolution would allow Grafton’s endorsement to be forwarded to the MASC annual conference as part of a statewide legislative agenda; the resolution would require statutory change at the state level to eliminate the BMI screening mandate.

A motion to support the 2025 MASC resolution to remove BMI screening in public schools was moved and seconded; the committee approved the motion by voice vote with no recorded abstentions or opposing votes.

Committee members emphasized that medical providers already conduct required physicals and that school nurses carry many responsibilities; members framed the resolution as an effort to remove a time‑consuming requirement that offers limited clinical benefit while carrying potential harm to students.

The committee’s vote will allow the district to present the resolution as part of MASC’s fall legislative agenda and to seek co‑sponsors from other districts.","The Grafton School Committee voted to support a Massachusetts Association of School Committees resolution calling for elimination of mandated BMI screening in public schools, citing limited usefulness and potential harm.",{"_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},6535764,"Grafton committee hears detailed update on integrated preschool and fee policy; no vote taken",123,838000,961000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3361004-85b301321fb6aa3cb596ba3ad9a51d6e&start=838&end=961","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3361004-85b301321fb6aa3cb596ba3ad9a51d6e/thumbnail_838000.jpg","/articles/6535764/Grafton-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/Grafton-committee-hears-detailed-update-on-integrated-preschool-and-fee-policy-no-vote-taken","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535764-7764381643a5396d8d25d72ef3028239/orig.mp4?Expires=1773770063&Signature=Y4gqo4Bzbev98biRxAqZtTpiRlKJWz0T7uwC3pKaNo4UVdjKYwPVLuNN87k-emhLlTdgT5rPxZG8eYT-Xxr1AbP41uZ1T40N9e4P6p4-ltkxFDhwHEsmZeCfzccaKP-V3UzGY7WhTT~loBUH1JbwyYlEwfXjCsL8TlHVS526YRCWRyKdbb4g2jVU1ajqMV2P0mi4pbcfUIP08XR1zLl2oLo9GLWPKoSS~XaGIcI92vjhGjFqjDTluvC4vRlwRy4r73IV2z7ALsTUpVytQJbkGZK4-H4EQBm1x46wifTHJguLQS2bF2Mf96ecNcKESoq-xhSnklCXKymzIKcdwnNZFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Special education staff gave the School Committee an extended briefing on Grafton’s integrated preschool program, how classroom assignments are determined, and the district’s tuition and fee approach; committee members did not vote on any fee changes at the meeting.

Nicole McDonald and Chris Kitchell presented the report, explaining that an integrated preschool in Grafton is governed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education special education regulations and is designed to provide students with disabilities (ages 3–5) the opportunity to learn alongside typically developing peers in the same classroom. “The integrated preschool program is really regulated by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education under the special education regulations,” McDonald said, noting differences between DESE‑regulated integrated preschool and EEC‑licensed child care programs.

McDonald described the staffing and ratio rules: integrated preschool classrooms are structured so community peers are roughly 8 and special education students roughly 7 (an example ratio given was 8 community peers to 7 special education students) so community peers make up less than 50% of a class and preserve an integrated environment. She also explained that districts project special education classroom needs using early intervention referral data, historical eligibility trends and anticipated kindergarten transitions.

On tuition, presenters compared Grafton’s fees with similarly structured DESE integrated preschools. McDonald said Grafton’s half‑day tuition is $4,000 and full‑day tuition is $6,500. Using the district’s enrollment figures discussed in the presentation, committee members and staff counted roughly 16 full‑day students (two full‑day classrooms of eight each) and 56 half‑day students (seven half‑day sections), which the presenters used to estimate differences between Grafton’s current revenues and local averages. One committee member calculated that, compared with the local averages McDonald provided, Grafton’s current rates produce approximately $50,000 less revenue annually than the averages shown in the presentation, though McDonald and others cautioned that the peer sample includes outliers and that structural differences (program days, licensing, district size) complicate direct comparisons.

McDonald emphasized that decisions about tuition are made carefully because raising fees can reduce demand for community peers — and community peers are required to keep integrated classrooms compliant with DESE regulations. “If we don't have kind of that balance, it's no longer an integrated an inclusion opportunity,” she said.

Committee members asked for additional details and clarity about counts and the district’s sliding‑scale financial assistance. The presenters confirmed that the district offers a sliding fee scale for families needing financial assistance and that the district will bring any future fee proposals to the committee for approval. The committee heard that there is demand for preschool slots and that families sometimes hold out for a spot at the neighborhood elementary school (North vs. South), which affects enrollment dynamics.

The presentation also covered spring programming and inclusion initiatives: McDonald and Kitchell summarized special events such as Best Buddies prom, Everyday Heroes, Special Olympics participation, and expanded unified sports programs at the middle school. Kitchell described professional development to strengthen co‑teaching practices and alignment with curriculum coaches so special education modifications are practical with the district’s adopted curricula.

No fee change motion was presented or voted on; McDonald told the committee the briefing was informational and that specific decisions on fees would be brought to the committee in the budget process.

The committee asked the special education team to return with any clarified enrollment counts, clearer peer comparisons and the existing sliding‑scale formula for families prior to any vote on tuition.","District special education staff described how integrated preschool is regulated, how classroom counts are determined, and how tuition compares with peer districts; committee deferred any fee decisions to a later budget process.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6535767,"Grafton School Committee approves one-year advertising pilot with boosters to fund athletics",0,1952000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3361004-85b301321fb6aa3cb596ba3ad9a51d6e&start=1952&end=1952","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3361004-85b301321fb6aa3cb596ba3ad9a51d6e/thumbnail_1952000.jpg","/articles/6535767/Grafton-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/Grafton-School-Committee-approves-one-year-advertising-pilot-with-boosters-to-fund-athletics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535767-efe7e780ca53ea0771f1d05d9bfe9689/orig.mp4?Expires=1773770063&Signature=nve1Kt~fKcvRDKDl-9WJDrmOHSmTxoqmplsXElLiEXDbgBejG-3~1hhWRV0-4xY~6Hg~xA0~X41sHkkGVikZnPYaH1Ueo~P91XIKLkYLdQ4bW5H95Oa-yxq2~fVNpgBmYJfzegkOQF~QoEYXplDeBmZONu9k7tGrlUom8vpV77LzZGurBVtr27F0UUI9plj5FXOlj82nV~M7P6ZYr76pMzu034jOOiNEBNX71RMuwQ9GYMZgGmQRh7UnKd6C0MngIOc-2O~wr~lSCSckHq~c73X2IcIfDbU8wCt6Wx4WLWZTGBnKI-BMc3~oWPQ-ofLCo8bKAIagDITOVveN78XFOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grafton School Committee voted to let the Grafton Boosters Club run a one-year advertising pilot at Grafton High School athletic facilities to generate recurring revenue for school athletics.

The committee approved a motion to permit advertising in the stadium and on fields under a pilot contract that would run approximately August to August. The program will be administered by the Boosters with the school committee or its designee keeping final approval authority over advertisers and ad content.

The Boosters’ new president, Keith Jensen, presented the proposal and described it as “flexible” — meaning the committee would set the term, which advertisers could start or end midterm with committee approval, and that the committee would have authority to remove ads it found objectionable. Jensen said the club’s goal was “conservative, $10,000 annually” with an aspirational target of $20,000 for the first year to help offset athletic fees and other costs for student athletes.

Committee members who spoke in favor said the program offered recurring revenue rather than the one-time money typical of scoreboard sponsorships. Member Laura Austin said she was “very firmly against athletic fees” and welcomed the potential for sponsorships to reduce charges to families. Members asked about field placement; Jensen suggested starting with the stadium and the upper turf and possibly expanding to softball and baseball fields later. The proposal would exclude certain categories of advertisers, including liquor, cannabis and political campaigns.

The committee moved and seconded the motion and approved it by voice vote. The motion authorizes the pilot for an initial one-year term with school committee oversight of ad acceptance and the right to terminate individual ads if needed.

The committee did not adopt an explicit revenue allocation plan at the meeting; Jensen said the Boosters would partner with district staff (identified in the discussion as Ashley) and the committee to determine how advertising proceeds would be used, and emphasized a preference to direct funds toward athletics and to avoid charging athletic fees.

The committee and Boosters agreed to prepare a list of pre‑approved advertisers for the initial sell‑period (likely June–July) and to revisit the program after the pilot. The Boosters indicated they would handle signage production and sales, and that a local marketing partner (a recent college graduate) would support marketing and installation.

Votes at a glance: the motion to permit advertising for one year passed by voice vote; committee members present voted “aye.” No roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript.

The pilot is intended to begin in August and run through the following August, subject to final contracting and operational details to be worked out with district staff.","The Grafton School Committee voted to allow the Grafton Boosters Club to run a one-year advertising pilot in stadium and field areas to raise recurring revenue for athletics; the committee retained final approval over advertisers and content.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School committee awards before/after-school care contract to Kidsboro for three years

Committee accepts 2025 superintendent evaluation, notes strengths and areas for growth

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

Grafton committee hears detailed update on integrated preschool and fee policy; no vote taken

Grafton School Committee approves one-year advertising pilot with boosters to fund athletics