Agenda for the July 20 Regular Meeting of the Medford School Committee

The Fourteenth Regular Meeting of the Medford School Committee

Date/Time

Monday, June 20, 2026

Executive Session: 4:15 p.m.

Regular Meeting: 5:00 p.m.

Location

Please be advised that there will be a Regular Meeting of the Medford School Committee held via remote participation only. This meeting is being recorded.

This meeting can be viewed live on the Medford Public Schools YouTube channel or via Medford Community Media on your local cable channel (Comcast Channel 9, 8 or 22 and Verizon Channel 43, 45 or 47). Participants can log in by using the link below.

Agenda

Agenda for the July 20, 2026 Fourteenth Regular Meeting of the Medford School Committee

Zoom Link

https://mps02155-org.zoom.us/j/97008462111?pwd=6vXh2zR2RJbTBJ7BGzCd2DgYftWBWv.1

Questions or comments can be submitted during the meeting by emailing: medfordsc@medford.k12.ma.us

Those submitting questions or comments must include the following information:

1. Your first and last name
2. Your Medford street address
3. Your question or comment

Agenda

I. Roll Call of Members and Student Representatives

II. Salute the Flag

III. Executive Session

Upon a Motion to enter into executive session pursuant to Massachusetts G.L. c. 30A §21(a).

Executive session pursuant to G.L c. 30A (a) (3) to conduct a strategy session on the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining positions of the Medford School Committee. Specifically, the Medford School Committee will convene in executive session to discuss strategy for Massachusetts Teacher’s Association (MTA) litigation and the Chair so declares.

The Medford School Committee will reconvene in public session following the Executive Session at approximately 5:00 pm.

IV. Consent Agenda

• Approval of Bills and Payrolls
• Approval of Meeting Minutes
  • Regular Meeting - June 15, 2026
  • Special Meeting - July 10, 2026

V. Report of Subcommittees

VI. Report of the Superintendent

1. Introduction of New Districtwide Staff: Mr. Ryan Pike, Director of Facilities, and Ms. Kaytie Dowcett, Managing Director for Before/After School - Dr. Suzanne B. Galusi, Superintendent 
2. Grade Configuration Update - Dr. Suzanne B. Galusi, Superintendent 

VII. Presentations of the Student Advisory Council

Presentations of the Public (not to begin before 7:00 pm)

“Regular Meetings of the School Committee include this ‘Presentations of the Public’ agenda item to give any resident the opportunity to place a presentation before the School Committee. A resident may only present once at any meeting.

These presentations are an opportunity for the public to make a presentation to the Committee but are not opportunities for dialog with the Committee. If one or more members of the Committee wishes to have a conversation about the topic presented, a member may request that the item be added to a subsequent Regular Meeting.

The details for submitting a presentation can be found within the policy BEDH, Public Comment and Presentations of the Public”

Pursuant to policy BEDH, Public Comment and Presentations of the Public - any resident in the audience may be given permission to speak once on any item on the agenda for up to three (3) minutes. The speaker is expected to keep their comments to the item on the agenda. The speaker must begin their comments by providing their full name and full Medford street address where they reside. A welcoming, inclusive community is both a value of the School Committee and an aspirational goal. We ask for your help in achieving this goal and value your perspective. Employees of the Medford Public Schools are exempt from the residency requirement of this policy. The voice of our employees is welcomed on all matters before this body. When a non-Medford-resident employee is participating in public comment or submitting a presentation of the public they will include their home address and identify themselves as an employee of the Medford Public Schools.

A welcoming inclusive community is both a value of the School Committee and an aspirational goal. We ask for your help in achieving this goal and value your perspective.

VIII. Continued Business

1. MSBA Project - Update on PSR - Jenny Graham, Chair of the Medford High Comprehensive School Building Committee (MHCSBC) and Dr. Suzanne B. Galusi, Superintendent 
   1. Review Current and Future Policy on Providing Storage Space to Large
      Community Partners
      1. Provide guidance to the MCHSBC regarding storage space
   2. Discuss Current and Future Educational Partnership with Japanese Language School (JLS)
      1. Provide guidance to the Superintendent regarding an enhanced partnership with JLS
      2. Provide guidance to the MCHSBC regarding space for the JLS Library
   3. Discuss proposal for Teen Health Center at MHS, including rationale and benefits, operating plans and costs, and partnership requirements
      1. Provide guidance to the MCHSBC regarding Teen Health Center Space
   4. Review sustainability goals for the MHS project
      1. Provide guidance to the project team, the MCHSBC, and the MCHSBC Sustainability and MEP Systems Advisory Team

2026-06   Offered by  Member Ruseau

Be it resolved that all members shall submit their recommended amendments to the Rules of the School Committee to the Secretary of the School Committee no later than February 23, 2026. The Secretary shall compile these submissions and prepare:

1. A summary of all proposed changes, and
2. A draft revised set of Rules incorporating the suggested amendments.

Both items shall be presented for review and discussion at the School Committee meeting
on March 2, 2026, where the Committee shall consider each rule in order, deliberate on the proposed changes, and vote on amendments as appropriate, with the goal of adopting a complete and updated set of Rules at the meeting on March 16, 2026.

IX. New Business

2026-17     Offered by Member Reinfeld

Whereas a K-12 Statewide Graduation Council was established following voters’ November 2024 passage of Ballot Question 2 eliminating the use of MCAS as a graduation requirement;

Whereas, the Council released its final report in June 2026;

Whereas the report includes updated recommendations for a graduation framework that supports students’ college, career, and civic readiness through core and embedded components, and an implementation timeline beginning in the 2026-27 school year; now, therefore be it

Resolved that the Curriculum & Instruction subcommittee shall meet with the Assistant Superintendent for Academics & Instruction no later than October 15 to review Medford Public Schools’ alignment with the K-12 Statewide Graduation Council’s recommendations.

Date Submitted June 19, 2026

Date Requested to be on Agenda June 20, 2026

2026-18   Offered by Member Graham

A Resolution Thanking the Medford State Legislative Delegation for Securing
Investments in Medford Public Schools through the Supplemental Budget and Fiscal Year 2027 State Budget

Whereas the Medford School Committee recognizes the critical importance of strong partnerships among local, state, and federal leaders in supporting high-quality public education; and

Whereas the Commonwealth of Massachusetts continues to face significant challenges related to school funding, special education costs, transportation expenses, facilities needs, and educational equity; and

Whereas the Medford state legislative delegation has consistently advocated for the
students, educators, and families of Medford and has worked diligently to secure direct
investments in Medford Public Schools through both supplemental and annual state
budgets; and

Whereas these investments provide important support for educational programming,
technology, facilities improvements, student services, and other district priorities that
enhance the educational experience of Medford students; and

WHEREAS, the School Committee wishes to formally recognize the efforts of
Representative Paul Donato, Representative Christine Barber, Representative Sean
Garballey, and Senator Patricia Jehlen, or their leadership and advocacy on behalf of
Medford students;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Medford School Committee hereby extends its sincere gratitude and appreciation to the members of the Medford State Delegation for securing $632,000 in additional funding for Medford Public Schools through the recent Supplemental Budget and the Fiscal Year 2027 State Budget; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Medford School Committee acknowledges the following appropriations secured on behalf of Medford Public Schools:

Supplemental Budget

• $40,000 for Medford High theater lighting system
• $50,000 for McGlynn Auditorium seating repairs and maintenance
• $180,000 for interactive whiteboards
• $12,000 for pottery wheels
• $100,000 for McGlynn Auditorium's rug maintenance

Fiscal Year 2027 State Budget

• $100,000 for programming at the Medford Family Network
• $50,000 for CTE Transportation
• $100,000 for Expanded Robotics Curricula

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Medford School Committee expresses its appreciation for the delegation's continued commitment to supporting educational opportunities for all students and looks forward to continued collaboration in advancing the mission of Medford Public Schools.

Date Submitted July 10, 2026

Date Requested to be on Agenda July 20, 2026

2026-19   Offered by Member Reinfeld, Member Ruseau and Member Olapade

Standing with MPS Students, Families, and Staff Affected by TPS Terminations

Whereas the Supreme Court's June 25, 2026 ruling in Mullin v. Doe held that federal courts may not review non-constitutional challenges to the termination of a country's Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation, and reversed lower-court orders that had blocked terminations;

Whereas the current presidential administration has terminated TPS for Haiti and Syria, and the Court’s ruling allows those terminations to proceed;

Whereas Medford is home to residents from many countries who contribute to the educational, civic, cultural, and economic life of our community, and the Haitian community is experiencing particularly significant uncertainty as a result of these decisions;

Whereas the United States Supreme Court held in Plyler v. Doe, 457 U.S. 202 (1982), that all children residing in a state are entitled to a free public education regardless of their immigration status, and this right is unaffected by the termination of any TPS designation; and

Whereas the Medford School Committee is committed to fostering a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment for all students and staff regardless of race, ethnic background, national origin, and immigration status; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, that the Medford School Committee directs the Superintendent to:

1. Ensure that all staff have the necessary training to uphold policies ACH (Immigration Enforcement) and AC (Nondiscrimination Including Harassment and Retaliation), which collectively affirm and support the district’s commitment to providing a discrimination-free public education to all children whose principal domicile is in Medford, regardless of child or family immigration status;
2. Ensure that student educational records continue to be maintained in accordance with federal and state privacy laws and district policy, and that all associated staff understand procedures governing requests for student information;
3. Remain in regular contact with the Medford Connects community engagement team, to ensure coordination between families and schools, and sharing of available resources to support students and staff experiencing uncertainty about their legal status related to TPS designations, including work authorization within MPS;
4. Continue to provide “Know Your Rights” information to students, staff, and families impacted by immigration policy via the MPS website, Talking Points, and other relevant communication tools; and
5. Ensure that school and classroom libraries and curricula include stories and depictions of immigrant experiences from multiple times and places connected to Medford’s history and present-day community, as well as content where people from different cultures, countries, and backgrounds are represented in stories that do not focus on the circumstances of entry into Medford or the United States.

And be it further Resolved, that the following statement of support for S.4814 be transmitted to United States Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey:

The Medford School Committee thanks Senator Markey for introducing S.4814 and Senator Warren for cosponsoring it.

The ending of TPS will cause deep and lasting harm to Medford, as well as unimaginable pain for our neighbors, who face removal to a country the State Department designates Level 4: Do Not Travel — where armed groups control much of the capital, and where the United Nations reports more than 2,300 people killed and 1.5 million displaced this year alone.

Tearing families apart, destroying local businesses, removing critical staff from our schools and social service organizations will leave a scar that will not just be felt today, but will become a stain on the dream so many have come to associate with our nation.

The House of Representatives has already acted, passing companion legislation (H.R. 1689) on April 16, 2026 by a bipartisan vote of 224–204. We urge the Senate to follow the House's lead without delay.

Thank you for your service to our nation and please let us know if we can do anything to assist in passing this important legislation.

Respectfully,
The Medford School Committee

And be it further Resolved, that the following statement of appreciation be sent to United
States Representatives Katherine Clark and Ayanna Pressley:

The Medford School Committee thanks you for your leadership in securing House passage of H.R. 1689 - A bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status. Representative Pressley's discharge petition and Representative Clark's advocacy on the floor delivered a bipartisan 224-204 vote at a moment when our Haitian neighbors in Medford needed it most. Our neighbors' protection now rests with the Senate, and we have written to Senators Warren and Markey urging swift passage of S.4814. Thank you for your service, and please let us know how we can assist.

Respectfully,
The Medford School Committee

Date Submitted July 14, 2026

Date Requested to be on Agenda: July 20, 2026

X. Reports Requested

XI. Next Regular Meeting

• August 24, 2026 via Zoom only.
• September 14, 2026 - Alden Memorial Chambers, Medford City Hall in addition to Zoom

XII. Adjournment