[{"_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",6188527,"mediaKeyId","5062157-89ce267d5420b79aa92c1988254a45b4","parentId",5062157,"title","School committee approves contracts and salary ranges for administrators and Unit C","audioSeconds",1046,"startMs",5853000,"endMs",6899000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5062157-89ce267d5420b79aa92c1988254a45b4&start=5853&end=6899","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5062157-89ce267d5420b79aa92c1988254a45b4/thumbnail_5853000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6188527/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-contracts-and-salary-ranges-for-administrators-and-Unit-C","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188527-8a39a5504500a37d314fbc0975b55210/orig.mp4?Expires=1770966700&Signature=QoJ8o0comQwTsDg7apDxVOYcgFTIemJmsPL5jKoLs-4Wu7CTemqLenvZXGExqDZYDrNVl63G~eXRAme6cwk0wgl9K7QANPPninMbKOyYxCaTMuPLdddLH7YVcD8eQbwKq8Vj-z7VUshHLw7GcWWEWRIRYPB49KJihe6~EC1Xux9LmQAqhMzoS~sLCte1v5QVbKuAWWumniH9dzJ6VFVdmuak4E-sjFSgtk~7xeQo7FLI5aFh-Oa0scg~8ct4HUAZP480fPj3TfWLXk8JIqXf9EAaGk9MLJJwM3WJ4y-o9BaSg0QttAJEn7Y7X~bCh0EyNqD0i7LqownALHg74M8Llg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wakefield Public Schools, MA","date","2025-06-24T18:23:07Z","article","The Wakefield School Committee unanimously approved a set of personnel and compensation items on Tuesday, including administrative salary ranges, the business administrator’s contract, a superintendent salary adjustment and a successor contract for Unit C paraprofessionals.

The committee voted 5–0 to: approve salary ranges for FY26 for non-represented administrative staff (district administrators, coordinators, IT staff and building principals) and to authorize the superintendent to negotiate individual agreements within those ranges; renew the school business administrator contract for fiscal years 2026 through 2028; and approve the superintendent’s FY26 contract including a 3.5% cost-of-living adjustment. The committee also approved the successor collective-bargaining agreement between the Wakefield School Committee and the Wakefield Education Association, Unit C, for the period Sept. 1, 2025, through Aug. 31, 2028 (vote 5–0).

Committee members thanked School Business Administrator Christine Mufagna for her communication and fiscal work and praised the labor and personnel subcommittee and Unit C representatives for a collaborative negotiation process. Committee members said the approvals were consistent with prior finance-subcommittee discussions and the superintendent’s evaluation.

All personnel motions were recorded as unanimous (5–0); motions were moved and seconded per the meeting minutes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wakefield School Committee - June 24th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee approved FY26 salary ranges for non-represented administrative staff, renewed the school business administrator’s contract (FY26–28), approved a superintendent COLA, and ratified a successor collective-bargaining agreement for Unit C covering Sept. 2025–Aug. 2028; all motions passed unanimously, 5–0.","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},6188532,"New Wakefield high school project reports faster pace on site; target opening Jan. 1, 2027",835,5365000,6200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5062157-89ce267d5420b79aa92c1988254a45b4&start=5365&end=6200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5062157-89ce267d5420b79aa92c1988254a45b4/thumbnail_5365000.jpg","/articles/6188532/Massachusetts/New-Wakefield-high-school-project-reports-faster-pace-on-site-target-opening-Jan-1-2027","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188532-14ed1c0610177508654ada100f703c8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770966700&Signature=hUtbVHKXXDYPZxdX58VJsEzfKv7siA53t8vvergRcVlAvrWYkU7LC0uVxJaGcJtW2QV2BDtIg6Kqcz116W9JoXAdzH8-fX8FoszHwuipozQ2xyKI-WiYqbzKFdXKSL2Tys5wf9m0BU1z2PH1nq9~lED22CiYCHG56TjojEDJqEZNteQx0yfPJbxjw0N0bZE3iB8ayzZm4s15RmBavJGP~RNIVmz9xwRniB2JePzJrsw6lrqAek1~iiMrKdWOaf0HvW3X8rNyfYssdR1c72EfKus3b6-kBuGmFCNIwoq3~CaJeVu62qYJM8E3KJ-5TLocggsuwtZVnY4wvUYv9Jfqng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Construction leaders told the Wakefield School Committee on Tuesday that exterior work on the new Wakefield Memorial High School has accelerated and the project remains on schedule and under budget.

Tim O’Brien, the district’s construction representative, said labor on site increased from roughly 50 workers to near 200 since the end of the school year and that the project has made visible progress: exterior sheathing is nearing completion, windows have been installed around the Hemlock side and are beginning to go in on the front, and roofing work (a white PVC membrane selected for energy efficiency) is progressing on Buildings D and E. Buildings A–C were described as complete; D, E and F were under active work. He said stair sets are installed and concrete slab pours continue in the D/E/F side, which includes the new servery, WCAT studio and central office.

O’Brien reported Burnett Field is complete and has hosted the softball team’s clinics. He credited the permanent building committee and the contractor (referred to as Bond) for steady project management and said the schedule aims to have the building enveloped before winter and to open on Jan. 1, 2027, with final completion by the end of 2027. O’Brien said the project is presently “on time and under budget.”

Committee members asked about parking and site logistics for the transition year; O’Brien said the district will coordinate signage, parking stickers and limited access points with police and school officials. He also noted ongoing irrigation and turf maintenance adjustments at Burnett Field.

The update was informational; no committee vote was required.","Site activity increased to about 200 workers, exterior sheathing and window installation advanced, roofing and concrete work continues, and Burnett Field is complete; project manager said the job remains on schedule and under budget with a planned full opening in 2027.",{"_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},6188536,"Wakefield Academy reports high summer enrollment, expanded enrichment offerings",747,4653000,5400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5062157-89ce267d5420b79aa92c1988254a45b4&start=4653&end=5400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5062157-89ce267d5420b79aa92c1988254a45b4/thumbnail_4653000.jpg","/articles/6188536/Massachusetts/Wakefield-Academy-reports-high-summer-enrollment-expanded-enrichment-offerings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188536-b5bf0e06645cbe66a6508301ce3f48c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770966700&Signature=RlAJKRQVGn--KG4tqwBq-UcJllru6bIjgWdZSj8-24YekcI2z2N5Lf4v38dduHhz02XPjm8O~7Sp88tLw59Gx4LSHz0PIHwvLPJdLZq-SB1f~dnmiWbYQONJFgYL0z3crJTUunuUapQ8QlGISSZB6M8OOTpQYQVozuLByCtK3EdE-AzschfUMzrKCsttn73KeFopQecpgZmE-Nonqfe3V8ipvXvAPsQtrjlmG1cCItrawX44Z9mExQYRMW627UrqOGcqk27BlcrIbNu5YgJkPxtXkzWz05zq5JLUBy1Yp3v0M3SL0OVToIQiqT1XWdXemDbQ54p6nfJhcWqVnrRwlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wakefield Public Schools on Tuesday detailed the 2025 Wakefield Academy summer offerings and enrollment numbers to the school committee.

Estelle Burdick, who manages the district’s summer programs, said all programs operate at Galvin Middle School and run Monday through Thursday. The academic program (‘‘Warriors of Wakefield’’) serves rising grades 1–6, focuses on ELA, math and hands-on science, and had 146 students enrolled across eight classrooms. The summer camp for grades K–5 had 198 enrollments with approximately 130–140 students attending daily; the district shifted this year to a single full-day camp model rather than separate half- and full-day options. The district also runs 19 enrichment vendors offering 34 week-long classes, available through grade 8.

Burdick told the committee Wakefield Academy integrates multi-language learner supports and coordinates with the district’s extended school year (ESY) program so students who qualify for ESY receive appropriate services. She said specialty vendors such as Kids Test Kitchen and Wicked Cool Science run enrichment weeks and that themed weeks and hands-on science serve as engagement incentives.

Committee members asked whether any families were turned away; Burdick said there had been a wait list but staff accommodated everyone. Members praised the program’s affordability, range of offerings and partnerships with community instructors and high-school or college aides.

Administrators said the program supports continuity of learning and social skills without dependence on devices, and offers optional PM coverage for ESY families who require full-day programming. There was no committee vote required; the presentation was informational.","The district’s Wakefield Academy summer program will run at Galvin Middle School with academic, camp and enrichment tracks; administrators reported enrollment and program details and said wait-listed families were accommodated.",{"_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},6188540,"School committee approves $221,957 transfer from food services to town; director cites cost controls",1242,3490000,4732000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5062157-89ce267d5420b79aa92c1988254a45b4&start=3490&end=4732","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5062157-89ce267d5420b79aa92c1988254a45b4/thumbnail_3490000.jpg","/articles/6188540/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-221957-transfer-from-food-services-to-town-director-cites-cost-controls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188540-29467ddf1bf5ed0ba07a937f8ed787fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770966700&Signature=c8amHYTRZZ4Pv~Hn2mswgOu~79MqR5DL25QrNc8~hx8T-xqmI-8kiZnUTJs9UN4aY77NmHKdgLvDthpErYGklqVdTivX5wnur600E52tDmEXDZSIQiB~PP9rPJka-uIJE6OQLtfKAXhHWMqTS4P7dEwiyQSdt4CHP6NWCsg8cd2aSKAQ0Xr53WnywGdqGY8V8Ab5QyK5RIifC-xqvXurdnJ9ZVFYW-90Wn5HhuKETQCuVz7EcMuBXt8~OEHWDNpchfNRiGjKNAmQIrlizH8QmnlfS1b8T73A5VRh5kF-OiU~WAZaKk4HtIqkvu7DKtdRCPB2T~oV7UQydrOxuRvV-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wakefield School Committee on Tuesday approved a transfer of $221,957.35 from the district’s food-service revolving fund to the town, a year-end accounting action administrators said the program can afford this fiscal year.

Food-service Director Dustin O’Brien told the committee the program exceeded half a million meals for the second consecutive year and reduced food costs largely by increasing commodity-processing usage and tighter procurement practices. He said labor costs were stable this year but will rise next year as the program replaces temporary staffing with permanent hires.

Administrators and O’Brien described operational improvements: internal promotions, a meal PIN reset to reduce unauthorized access, replacement of cafeteria tables at Galvin Middle School, and better use of USDA commodity processing to lower purchases from commercial vendors. O’Brien also flagged external fiscal risks: a suspended local produce grant for FY26 and uncertainty about federal and state reimbursement levels, which could affect next year’s ordering and budgets.

The committee passed the following motion: “Move that the school committee approve the recommendation of the administration to transfer $221,957.35 from food services to the town.” The vote was recorded as unanimous, 5–0.

Administrators said the transfer will draw down the food-service revolving balance but is manageable this year; they noted the district aims to maintain several months of reserves because reimbursement timing and potential insurance or labor cost increases could rapidly change the program’s financial position. The committee requested year-by-year updates on the chargeback and recommended continued scrutiny of labor and food-cost forecasts.","The committee approved a fiscal-year-end transfer of $221,957.35 from the district’s food-service revolving account to the town. Food-service director Dustin O’Brien said commodity-processing changes and staffing improvements helped control food costs, though grants and federal reimbursement uncertainty remain concerns.",{"_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},6188546,"Parents, students and administrators debate proposed phone rule for Wakefield Memorial High School",3082,476000,3558000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5062157-89ce267d5420b79aa92c1988254a45b4&start=476&end=3558","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5062157-89ce267d5420b79aa92c1988254a45b4/thumbnail_476000.jpg","/articles/6188546/Massachusetts/Parents-students-and-administrators-debate-proposed-phone-rule-for-Wakefield-Memorial-High-School","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188546-716ee01f08ce6cd55b7b2e054a4220c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770966700&Signature=IL0C0e1vXU4dk5NKRjSDmx5Op8C5Cnt4GCa8hpjhR-cZiOOWseqGMpmNJDpaEljnnLktmcC8CJsPR2FQA4NRiZVxHTUVMDHuzU4JlXSYjkgqZ6944rBxaXd23H1wJXGV-qxiqFhSAd5RdNXftxeCm2IA8m~HTUiQC3YnBf8QtFnLJVWh~TpQ5uxKKgQf4-ulWxdIipwdES-N8vTSLivLynNXa8M7ObE2tsv16iqeiExNCYQrgPJbOHGCdvSurhmw9Wm4bcaU6~Gqp-8S5QbrVaULi1ZEy7ofizJNMiCK8WzoG7HLtnAyvI3AyZB9gOG2eKZNXhLksaUVFAm7MJv1nQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parents, a Wakefield Memorial High School student and school leaders pressed the Wakefield School Committee on Tuesday over a proposed update to the high school handbook that would require cell phones to be kept “off and away” during the academic day.

The public comment came from Anne Herzog, a parent of current and former WMHS students, and her daughter Mikaela Herzog, a rising senior, who said the proposed rule could harm students who rely on phones for communication, medical needs or as assistive technology. School officials, including Principal Amy McLeod (joining by Zoom) and Superintendent Douglas “Doug” Lyons, described the draft language and said the administration plans to bring handbook language to the committee this summer for a formal vote in August.

The issue matters because parents and students said devices serve as accommodations and safety tools. “Students with disabilities rely on smart phones and other devices to assist them with communication, medical needs, scheduling, note taking, calming techniques, and more,” Anne Herzog said, citing federal protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. She urged the district to consult disability stakeholders and await guidance the state may issue if Massachusetts Senate Bill 323 becomes law.

Principal Amy McLeod said the high school faculty worked this year to revise classroom practice and handbook language after noting inconsistency in the building and continuing classroom disruptions. The administration’s draft would require phones to be off and stored (for example, in backpacks, bags or lockers) from the start of the academic day (07:30) until the end (02:10), with exceptions for lunchtime and for specific, teacher-authorized educational uses such as media projects. McLeod described a progressive discipline approach: warnings, conversations, administrator involvement and, for repeated incidents, confiscation to the main office where phones would be kept “safe.” Teams would continue to accommodate students with IEPs, 504 plans or medical needs so those students could access devices as necessary.

Student speaker Mikaela Herzog asked the committee to consider a senior privilege for the Class of 2026 so graduating students could document their final year and practice independent device management before college. Anne Herzog and Mikaela also raised concerns about the timing of handbook changes during the summer and said the district should solicit broader student and family feedback; Anne Herzog noted a June 19 Boston Globe article describing a separate special-education placement case and said the district should ensure no students are left without services.

Superintendent Lyons and Principal McLeod said the district intends to finalize handbook language in summer and bring the handbook to the committee for a vote in August. McLeod emphasized the faculty’s goal of consistency across classrooms, fewer disruptions for teachers, and preserving necessary exceptions for instructional and medical reasons. The administration also said it will coordinate implementation with special-education teams to maintain legal accommodations.

The committee offered no formal decision on the handbook at the meeting; members were briefed and the item will return for a formal vote later this summer.

The discussion highlighted competing priorities—classroom instructional time and student safety and accommodations—and speakers asked the district to engage students, families and disability advocates before finalizing the policy.","Parents and students urged the district to preserve device access for students with disabilities and seniors while Wakefield Memorial High School and district leaders described a draft handbook change that would require phones to be “off and away” during the academic day with limited exceptions; the committee will vote on handbooks later this夏.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School committee approves contracts and salary ranges for administrators and Unit C

New Wakefield high school project reports faster pace on site; target opening Jan. 1, 2027

Wakefield Academy reports high summer enrollment, expanded enrichment offerings

School committee approves $221,957 transfer from food services to town; director cites cost controls

Parents, students and administrators debate proposed phone rule for Wakefield Memorial High School