Meeting Recap: 10/6/25

Meeting Recap: October 6, 2025 - a couple of hidden gems in here re: new CTE programs and the hiring of a much-needed position. Opinions and observations my own, as always.

Agenda | Recording | Transcript

1. Consent agenda – approved without discussion

2. Mustang Moment – 4 Career & Technical Education (CTE) students shared their experiences in health assisting, cosmetology, electrical, and exploratory, and the positive impact of the program on their awareness of career opportunities and engagement in learning. Member Branley shared her perspective as a parent of two CTE students. (Spoiler alert: very positive) Also, everyone cheered the opening of the Bistro this week [I miiiiight have worked from home yesterday just so I could enjoy their opening day lunch....]

3. CTE Lottery Report – Executive Director Fallon presented the plan for complying with the recently passed state law requiring any CTE program with a wait list to run a lottery. Comments and questions about communication, the decision not to run a weighted lottery, transparency, and wait list numbers (down to 15 from 50) and general eligibility. We also received the amazing news that DESE approved plans to start phasing in two new programs this coming school year—plumbing and information systems & technology! (The third expansion program, HVAC, is still a few years away.)

4. Center for Citizenship and Social Responsibility (CCSR) Donation Update – CCSR director Mr. Trotta shared the structure and budget for the program across the district. We approved the donation with a request that the grant letter be provided to the committee in follow-up.

5. Bus Monitor Report – Dr. Galusi shared the results of the assessment of bus monitor needs across 17 yellow buses for 7 schools as well as the pricing model quoted to us by the vendor. Having identified four tiers of urgency, she presented several options for vendor-provided monitors before offering up a more cost effective solution tied to the recently ratified paraprofessionals contract. Long story short, we’re adopting a flexible bus monitor program prioritizing high-needs bus routes and regular assessment of shifting needs. The discussion touched on questions of training and liability, reporting structures, coordination with off-site afterschool programs, metrics, and the impressively brief turnaround between request and viable solution. Perhaps the most exciting piece of this, however, was the news that a Transportation Manager with specific expertise in this area has been hired and starts work next week. [Please don’t everyone email him at once!]

6. Mini update that DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) scores will be coming home to elementary families this week. K-2 caregivers, check your kids’ backpacks!

7. Resolution 2025-32 by me! – Amending my ad hoc resolution last week that the architectural firm selected for the high school project present to the Medford School Committee in a public meeting before the feasibility studies kick off. New version officially invites the 2026-27 City Council to attend this meeting before their term begins. [Candidates take note; if you get voted in, you’ll get to experience the subject of these recaps LIVE!]

8. Student participation in school committee meetings – I introduced a resolution to add a “Presentations by Student Representatives” into the regular agenda and a mechanism to formally invite school committee members to attend student council meetings at the high school (mostly as an observer). Member Intoppa and the students offered minor revisions to clarify the terms and add an alternate representative and after a speech by one of the student reps, this resolution passed unanimously. I will note, because the students asked, that this merely provides the mechanism for involvement not a mandate (though of course student involvement is always encouraged).

9. Annoyingly for those who thought the end of the agenda meant the end of the meeting, I then introduced a final resolution to update the “Meeting Agenda” policy by actually inserting the above item into the agenda policy, directly between Superintendent Update and Presentations of the Public, and (hold onto your hats!) adjusting the roman numerals accordingly. Whew. What a ride.

10. Condolences and adjournment.

Next regular meeting is October 20, but we’ll be having our strategic planning subcommittee meeting on October 14. And I believe the Rules & Policy subcommittee just met to iron out the food allergy policy. So stay tuned for reports from subcommittee at a future meeting!