Committee narrows stance on community storage; long‑standing Japanese Language School partnership remains under review

The committee debated whether to include dedicated storage for long‑term renters in the design for the new Medford High School and ultimately adopted a policy position against building storage intended for community rentals.

Superintendent Dr. Lucy Galusi and the project team described multiple community partners that currently store equipment and materials in nooks of the existing high school, and she highlighted the Japanese Language School’s long relationship with the district. The JLS, the team said, serves about 800 students on Saturdays, pays roughly $142,000 annually under an inherited contract, and uses lecture-hall and back-office space as a library and for storage. The team estimated the library/partnership package at about $2.8 million and estimated a smaller storage-only option at just under $2 million for construction costs.

Committee members warned about legal limits (DESE rules on surplus space and viewpoint‑neutral rental policies) and the risk of privileging one renter over others. Member Russo said the committee should avoid creating “extra storage” that would take space away from staff and students; other members questioned whether the district could build a space geared to a single external organization without an open procurement process. After asking legal and procurement questions, the committee voted on a motion “to not build any storage space for rental use in the new MHS,” which passed on roll call 6–0.

The committee asked administrators to return with legal guidance on procurement and DESE review requirements and directed the facilities subcommittee to continue work on how to embed necessary storage for school operations while protecting classroom and staff needs.