Meeting Recap: 2/10/25

It was a short meeting tonight, as most of the agenda items were to set things in motion for future action. The consent agenda included the usual bills and payrolls plus the acceptance of two donations (for musical instruments and conference registrations). We severed the marching band’s field trip request to confirm that it was for approval rather than funding. Later in the meeting, we voted to direct the Rules and Policy subcommittee to draft a policy for such approvals and requests. This particular approval, however, was granted in the meantime. 

Moving on to the Report of the Superintendent, Dr. Galusi presented the new graduation requirements and competency determination in light of Question 2’s passage. We’ll be seeing this again next meeting in official policy form but for those interested in the presentation, it includes some history, an overview of the changes, their impact on the Class of 2025, and a discussion about how MCAS will be used going forward (as an assessment tool only; it has not been eliminated). We also saw a snapshot of considerations given to the needs of certain subpopulations of students. Later in the meeting, Member Ruseau withdrew his motion to send the policy to the Curriculum & Assessment subcommittee. 

We then revisited the rate card for Summer Fun, reviewing the enrollment and budget data and the district’s projections for different fees and sliding scale options. We approved a rate of $250/week for Medford residents and children of Medford employees, with an additional $50/week for non-Medford-affiliated attendees and a $50 discount for families with demonstrated financial need, as determined by the Community Eligibility Provision (colloquially known as a the “free lunch designation”). Enrollment will open soon, online!

The remaining resolutions were in regards to the MSBA project—we voted unanimously to enter the Feasibility Study Agreement and update the committee membership as described in the agenda. 

As usual, we ended with condolences and adjournment. Next meeting is Wednesday, February 26 on Zoom.