[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6426251,"mediaKeyId","5861886-36a2d2a0c15e0528d3509158af5a37ea","parentId",5861886,"title","School committee approves $425,000 for design work on Grafton Middle School roof after operations update highlights districtwide repairs","audioSeconds",2405,"startMs",51000,"endMs",2456000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5861886-36a2d2a0c15e0528d3509158af5a37ea&start=51&end=2456","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5861886-36a2d2a0c15e0528d3509158af5a37ea/thumbnail_51000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6426251/Grafton-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-425000-for-design-work-on-Grafton-Middle-School-roof-after-operations-update-highlights-districtwide-repairs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426251-cf404c50c75b269f1a746242a3ed05ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167804&Signature=ZgZRzMaaaoHN7p1LlWh5vC7ntBd2dGPBMVWVmJBmuHJDItHDHmFoyAG0gmiwUEZCiB19OKVCc5TuGVdcchipmDWeLoJLbE7nKJqVs-I2L7rViBndRaJm~sPWd8pGZazIE4JrN0ptOqkUF8hiKlo71peSn7FCDcE7k9uWfDwhfOyeMnHRAv7vCN737dI-2bKQMN5qNYvGLZqhtBLKgENbVdSJxjoZjQCz3mbc8HGx4jxis6STI0kmKSrzZz7QlaHSnbs0utX1ix-OIxEuN~qRMqauNJH87l~ZyWdyteN567YejfpaqL8Jxj3Ho8AKwXgmzwXYsYaDy7u8LCEGZLCyWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grafton Public Schools, MA","date","2025-10-01T02:12:44.277Z","article","The Grafton School Committee voted unanimously Sept. 30 to support a town meeting article transferring $425,000 from free cash to pay for design services to replace the roof at Grafton Middle School.

The vote followed a longer operations update from district operations staff Frank and Shauna, who told the committee the district oversees custodial services, maintenance, transportation, food services and capital projects and that crews completed a broad slate of summer work. Frank said the Garland report commissioned by the town shows active leaks at all six school buildings and described the middle school roof as the most compromised.

\"We have active leaks in all six of our school buildings,\" Frank said during the presentation, and he described the middle school roofing system as made up of \"a series of four different roof materials\" with a foam layer that contractors told staff is an uncommon and problematic choice for a New England commercial roof. He said the original roof below those layered patches dates to roughly 62 years ago and that repeated patching had exhausted stopgap options.

Committee members pressed for detail on the $425,000 request, asking whether it was a flat fee or a percentage of anticipated project cost. Staff explained the requested amount covers plans and design services, including construction administration and weekly site checks during work. Frank said the district expected design fees to fall in a typical range (roughly 7–7.5 percent of the projected total construction cost) and that the $425,000 figure is a funding request for those services to allow the project to be bid; he and staff noted actual construction bids will determine final costs.

During the discussion Superintendent Dr. James Cummings and operations staff said other capital work is already underway or planned at North Street and Millbury Street, including new serving lines, walk‑in refrigeration replacements, replacement of worn foyer doors and lighting upgrades. Staff also described a glycol leak at the high school earlier in the year that required system flushing and refilling and said the cleanup and repairs cost \"more than anticipated\" (exact total not specified in the presentation). Other issues noted included a damaged pump for athletic field sprinklers that has been replaced, new LED lighting in maintenance spaces, new serving configuration at North Grafton to speed cafeteria traffic, replacement HVAC bids for a library unit, and a new wireless camera installation in the high school student parking lot.

Frank said the district is pursuing design money for the middle school at this fall town meeting to get plans ready and to engage a design professional to oversee the work. He also noted the district has been in touch with DCAM and the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) as it considers timing and potential reimbursement opportunities; staff said MSBA timing might affect whether the committee pursues full replacement immediately or stages work pending a possible MSBA contribution.

A motion to approve Article 11 — \"to transfer an appropriate sum of money from free cash in the amount of $425,000 for the purpose of funding designer services for the replacement of the roof of Grafton Middle School\" — was made, seconded and carried with the chair calling the vote unanimous. The transcript does not record individual roll call votes.

Committee members said they want to proceed with design and more detailed cost estimates so the town and committee can evaluate construction costs, possible MSBA participation and scheduling for roof replacement projects across the district.

The operations update and the roof request occupied a substantial portion of the Sept. 30 meeting; staff signaled additional capital requests (lighting for the stadium, portico repairs at Millbury Street, bathroom stall replacements at North Street) are planned in the coming fiscal‑year capital cycle.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Committee 9-30-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Grafton School Committee voted unanimously Sept. 30 to support a town meeting article transferring $425,000 from free cash to pay for design services to replace the roof at Grafton Middle School.","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},6426245,"School committee pauses action on student fundraising policy after parents and principals raise equity concerns",1165,4599000,5764000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5861886-36a2d2a0c15e0528d3509158af5a37ea&start=4599&end=5764","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5861886-36a2d2a0c15e0528d3509158af5a37ea/thumbnail_4599000.jpg","/articles/6426245/Grafton-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/School-committee-pauses-action-on-student-fundraising-policy-after-parents-and-principals-raise-equity-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426245-d1fa8919ebb39d1dd4d5c14675082d9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167804&Signature=iY4oyXJBARetIfyFBPHFRWBVp1cBougB4lXL1QUupXQsON4bLx6RhKahSZh8byk85PUpN2OwN-lOiiSitfCjG2KrLS1-oUQgWnxRE802l5pgbnDpJ~TKpuN6p~NscmVB3qKK45capbfxorqzgv8rzHZhCqhLTAIVGIo5nrgE3QchcrtrMVzlKqVXaOrmPS~V26hCGkbuRAOrLzgOGpc9A1BpLgHCzSBL~JrF1iedv4~DWzottZ7IpQHxfAn0xq2GjTSm-4eW03PHpJz-fyUjHftWhuwaRD2ttzujqI-oSPH6-sx~Xa6xcyJVeQZZxSpb0fdRaZ2mXKskj8LKCk3jdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grafton School Committee on Sept. 30 held off final action on a proposed student fundraising policy after an extended discussion about equity and program funding.

The proposed policy language would bar fundraising activities that \"involve competition among students\" and would prohibit rewarding students or classes with prizes such as extra recess or class‑specific perks tied to individual fundraising totals. Proponents said the language is intended to prevent students from being stigmatized or feeling inferior in class when fundraising relies on family donations.

\"We don't want students being pitted, you know, one against another,\" a committee member said during the discussion. Staff and several committee members echoed concern that classroom‑level rewards can create inequitable outcomes for students whose families lack the ability to contribute.

At the same time parents and volunteer leaders told the committee fundraising generates substantial revenue used for field trips, enrichment, classroom support and classroom amenities that would be difficult to replace from district funds. Committee members and principals raised practical questions about current contracts with fundraising vendors that deliver prize packages, leaderboards and donation portals; principals asked for time to evaluate impacts on current campaigns and existing contracts.

The committee voted to rescind a motion to approve the policy at this meeting and to hold the item for further research. Members suggested staff will consult fundraising vendors about alternative program designs (for example, school‑wide goals, grade‑level incentives, or non‑competitive prize distribution) and bring options back to the committee so parent groups and principals have time to adjust plans if the policy is adopted.

Policy committee members noted the update was a first reading and emphasized the committee's appreciation for parent volunteers while aiming to reduce potential harm that competitive fundraising models can cause among students.","Committee members discussed a proposed student fundraising policy that would prohibit competition among students for fundraising prizes. Members and principals said the rule aims to avoid pitting students against each other, but committee agreed to hold the item to gather more input and options from vendors and parent groups.",{"_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},6426240,"School committee approves three‑year contract for Superintendent James Cummings; members question ambitious classroom‑visit goal",236,3101000,2865000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5861886-36a2d2a0c15e0528d3509158af5a37ea&start=3101&end=2865","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5861886-36a2d2a0c15e0528d3509158af5a37ea/thumbnail_3101000.jpg","/articles/6426240/Grafton-Public-Schools/School-Boards/Massachusetts/School-committee-approves-threeyear-contract-for-Superintendent-James-Cummings-members-question-ambitious-classroomvisit-goal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426240-4dfcc5c12bdee61d85881dab4d7ec265/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167804&Signature=S~w5~b65H18IOn3Hgl9f33tlkkid6cN9sbpHwRQDuAHr-xidgzUif-c6LxuzedI~yjxiT~m93XM-aUXsrsl8LT1WnhdxH1Fd9JJTac22PDLWuo4P6UpPIsxzb~YiT7IVXcPDionbfR9v4gLH861ofuo8XlnIfEUj2xyVag-hSpalvcDf8bLt5g1c99z-4aNmhBxpDzr2dEYdTw9Qn0QGxeOEtQwj1boRig6H3rk0tm~8LjEtyQfwbiedlTpgMhDFuAIhMxIp5SEuKDto4gtcD-ASpDY1g293Qo1MNl6C1INIuliEc86L9fFwp4QETG-fU4n8rRxF4eINSN7DB5Tvxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grafton School Committee voted unanimously Sept. 30 to approve an employment agreement with Superintendent Dr. James Cummings covering 2025–2028.

The committee took the contract vote without discussion after a motion to approve the employment agreement. Committee members then turned to a review of the superintendent's goals for the year, drawing particular attention to Goal 1: an objective to make 1,000 classroom visits during the school year to increase visibility and instructional supervision.

Several members said the goal to visit 1,000 classrooms is \"very lofty\" and asked for a clearer action plan and interim benchmarks. One member suggested alternative ways to increase visibility, such as attending a regular all‑school meeting in each building or greeting students at arrival points. Dr. Cummings said the target is intentionally ambitious and tied to prior evaluation feedback emphasizing staff visibility; he said that if he reaches 500 visits he would still consider that significant progress.

\"The feedback was to be more visible in the buildings,\" Dr. Cummings said, describing the goal as responsive to past evaluation comments. Committee members asked how visits would be documented; Dr. Cummings said he would rely on staff and personal tracking and discussed the possibility of a simple audit or report back to the committee.

The committee also discussed other superintendent goals including a professional practice goal and plans to expand district social media presence; Dr. Cummings said he created a new Instagram account and will meet with students to learn platform use. Members suggested using the current year as a benchmarking year for social media and agreed to return to metrics and frequency in midyear review.

The contract approval and goal discussion were taken as separate items; the contract passed unanimously by voice vote and committee members said they will use the stated goals as a basis for evaluation and periodic progress updates.","The committee unanimously approved a 2025–2028 employment agreement for Superintendent Dr. James Cummings. Members praised his responsiveness after a bus incident but questioned one of his stated goals — 1,000 classroom visits in a school year — calling it \"audacious\" and asking for clearer measurement and interim benchmarks.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School committee approves $425,000 for design work on Grafton Middle School roof after operations update highlights districtwide repairs

School committee pauses action on student fundraising policy after parents and principals raise equity concerns

School committee approves three‑year contract for Superintendent James Cummings; members question ambitious classroom‑visit goal