Hi everybody. I think we have the whole committee. So we'll get started and we're recording. Okay. So this is the 14th regular meeting of the Medford School Committee. Today's Monday, July 20th, 2026, and this is virtual only. We
have executive session at 4:15 and regular meeting at 5:00 pm. Um, the meeting can be viewed live on the Mford Public Schools YouTube channel through Mford Community Media on your local cable channel, Comcast 9, 8 or 22, and Verizon channel 4345 47.
Participants can log in or call in by using the following Zoom link, which is on the city and school website, and the meeting ID is 9708-462111. U member if you could please call the role. >> Certainly. Member Graham >> here.
>> Member Master Bony >> here. >> Member Olady >> here. >> Member Parks >> here. >> Member Rinfeld >> present. >> Member present. Mayor Lungo Kern >> present. Um seven present zero absent.
Do we have any student reps on the meeting? I don't see any. So, um, if we could all please rise to salute the flag. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic stands one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all. We have executive session um, pursuant to general laws 30A section 21A to conduct a strategy session on the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining positions of the Memphis School Committee. Specifically, the Medford School Committee will convene in
executive SE session to discuss strategy for Medford Teachers Association litigation, and the chair so declares the Medford School Committee will reconvene in regular session immediately following the executive session at approximately 5:00 p.m. Is there a
motion to enter executive session? >> So moved. >> Thank you, Member Master Bony. Is there a second? Second by member Rinfeld. Roll call, please. >> Member. >> Sorry, I didn't realize I was off
camera. Uh, member Graham, >> yes. >> Member Master Bony, >> yes. >> Member Olady, >> yes. >> Member Parks, >> yes. >> Member Rinfeld, >> yes. >> Member, yes. Mayor Lindo Kern, >> yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion is approved to
enter executive session. We will see everybody as close to five as possible. Good evening everybody. Welcome if you're just joining us. We have um we're right on time. Look at us. We are going to go to the consent
agenda. So, we have approval of bills and payrolls, approval of meeting minutes from our regular meeting of June 15, 2026, and our special meeting from July 10th, 2026. Is there a motion on the floor? >> Motion to approve by member Rinfeld,
seconded by >> Second Member Lady. Um, roll call, please. Member Grahams, >> yes. >> Member Maserbone, >> yes. >> Member Olady,
>> yes. >> Member Parks, >> yes. >> Member Rinfeld, >> yes. >> Member so yes. Mayor Lindor, >> yes. Seven in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Consent agenda is approved. We have no reports of subcommittee and we have two reports of our superintendent. First up is the
introduction of the new districtwide staff, Mr. Ryan Pike, director of facilities, and Miss Katie Ducet, managing director for before and after school. Um, I'll turn over to you, Dr. Galooi, superintendent. >> Thank you so much. Yes, I'm very excited
to welcome uh two critical positions to our MPS family. Um, thank you for the introduction of their titles. So, Miss Katie Daet, um, as the mayor said, is the managing director for before and after school programming and has already
hit the ground running as we, as everyone knows, as we have really increased capacity across the district and are moving to um, offer some enriching programming. So Katie comes to us with she's like a little
unicorn that just fell from the sky because she has a lot of great complimentary skills uh and a portfolio that just complements what is needed for the afterchool program um quite well. So she is quite familiar with out of school
time having worked in a lot of different capacities uh mostly in Waltham um for the Waltham partnership for youth. Um she worked in a lot of those programs in a supervisory role, also in a coaching uh stance. Um most recently she ca in
Waltham also was the title one director um and the homeless education liaison. So she has all these lovely little skill sets that um will lend itself nicely to our program and we're really happy to
have her aboard. Um and before I explain a little bit about Mr. Pike. I didn't know if Katie wanted to just um say hello to the committee in the committee. >> Sure. Yes. Hi everyone. Uh Dr. Galissy, thank you for the warm welcome and the kind remarks. Um yeah, this is the
beginning of week three for me in this role. Um and uh as Dr. Galissy said, we've hit the ground running. Um really doing a lot of hiring um because we are expanding, which is super exciting. Um, I've been really blessed to have such a
warm welcome from the team, um, from families in the community. Um, there's already, you know, strong team of returning staff in place. Thank goodness for them. They've been such a huge support. Um, and I also am just incredibly excited to be in a district
that takes its out of school time so seriously and is investing so heavily in this work. So, I'm really delighted to be here. Thank you. Thank you, Katie. Dr. >> thank you. >> Yes. And now we have Mr. Ryan Pike, um,
our new facilities director. Um, he too has brought a wealth of expertise, um, and skill set to this role that we are really super excited about. He has uh, experience in school leadership uh, most
recently coming from Tingsboro and uh, mass art. he where he was the facil facilities director and he has some uh state experience with him uh through Mass DOT but he is a nice kind of fit
right here with Mr. Lord's um team and has definitely hit the ground running with a lot of what's on the plate for getting the schools ready to open the school year um and the many projects we have going on. So like to introduce Mr.
Mr. Pike, don't know if you want to say a few words, Mr. Pike. >> Yes. Can you hear me? Okay. >> Yes. >> Yeah. I want to say thank you to the superintendent and Mr. Lord. They've been very welcoming and supportive. Um I'm really looking forward to the new school year as far as like like the
superintendent said, hit the ground running. We got a lot of stuff going on this summer. Um I'm looking I'm very excited to see what we can do. >> Thank you so much. >> Yes. Thank you. Just very happy to have a
team now assembled. >> Huge. Yeah. Welcome both of you. We we appreciate it. >> And I understand Mr. Pike also has some experience working on school building projects. >> Yes, I've had projects with MSCBA as well as MSBA.
>> Great. >> So, a little bit of everything. >> Awesome. >> High school. >> Sounds good. Um, next up is grade configuration update. I'm going to turn it back over to you, Dr. Lucy. >> Yes. And now I'm going to try my very
best here um to share my screen. Okay, just give me one moment. It's very sad when I don't have Mr. Pipeelli around. Let's see if I do this right.
Looks good. We see it. Oh, >> great. Thank you. Um, so I do have on the on the title slide that I will be presenting um this this evening, but it is important to note that members Reinfeld and member
Park are also really involved in this. and so may be interjecting andor enhancing uh my presentation this evening um and please do so as as we go along here. So I think it's really important to just start with the people
that are critical in this work right now. And so here you can see uh who's comprised of the team. Uh this team is guided by community norms of transparency and shared purpose. um as we look to see what this could be for
the I think we have tweaked the name a little bit to overcrowding/grade configuration task force um and we're really looking at academic extracurricular programming and the full compilation of what is happening at these at these levels. So we have
several district educators on this committee. We have May Abusan who is an English learner teacher at the McGllin Middle, Mike Berghoer, grade six math at the Andrews. Melissa Doherty is grade five at the McGlin Elementary. Connor Hemll is grade five at the Misituck. And Jamie Taylor is
grade six science at the McGlin Middle School. Caregivers, we have Kathy Lado, who has had children at every level, but right now Roberts and Medford High School, Jessica Parks, Miss Tuck, moving on, I believe, to Andrews. Um Erica
Reinfeld also at every level. Um, Robert's McGlin Middle High School, Jennifer Sagotsky. Um, most recently right now is McGlin Middle, and Erin Vanir is McGlin Elementary. And for district administration, it is myself
and Dr. Talbot. It is uh Kim Clinton, Mike D. Clemente, who is the assistant principal at the Roberts, Jen, Scain, Nick Tucci, principles respective of the middle schools. Uh we have had three a total of three meetings thus far. Uh one
a month starting in April. So April, May and June. And in the first three meetings, this slide covers just a little bit of what we have been talking about. Uh we have evaluated historic enrollment which was
showing about 300 students per grade level for the past 3 to 5 years. We have talked about restructuring the Andrews to a 78 model and what that would mean as we project enrollment out which could be for a total somewhere about 617
students. We do know that the highest enrollment to date was around 589. In the year 2001 and 2002 it was 579. Um but that is about the highest we have seen to date since the Andrews has been
opened. Um we have also as a committee uh conducted a building walkthrough of the Andrews so that the task force was able to get a real understanding for the usage of the rooms and any hidden capacity um that may be there. There is
a lot of potential at the Andrews. uh and they have also reviewed the HMFH data that was provided to us when we did the um the study. So we do we've said this before but just to also kind of ground us again their
data suggested that we need nine more rooms in order to kind of make this work. Um and those are some of the things that we're digging a little bit deeper in because those are the constraints. In addition to that, we're looking and
taking a deeper analysis at what it would be to have teacher room sharing. Um what those smaller interior rooms are, the size of them, what they're used for, what they could be used for, the capacity of the cafeteria, knowing that if we were to do this, um lunches may
had have to shift or andor could it handle the additional capacity and beyond the cafeteria also within just hallway traffic. Um, and then there was a discussion that we need to dig a little bit deeper into about the Andrews
now is on the list as an emergency shelter for the city. And so there even to what does that mean? And then what do some of those spaces also mean like do we have flexibility to repurpose some
spaces or not? if the legal status is that it is an emergency shelter for the city. Um the other piece that we have done is in June we decided to create two subcommittees so that during these
summer months we had a little time to dig into some really specific areas and everybody had a little piece of I would say like homework that they would bring back to the task force since we had this uh summer break. The two subcommittees
are the educational model, which is taking like an academic view of what the groupings currently are, what they could possibly be, and doing some research to what do other district middle school models look like. Um, this also
encompasses looking at the license licensing requirement for teachers, um, if there are any looping possibilities and just how the transitions if we were to switch. um to a different model what that transition would look like. And then there's also the facilities
subcommittee. Uh this subcommittee is really tasked with looking deep and heavy at enrollment projections. Um what the transportation logistics would be. Um again, what that capacity would be for kitchen, cafeteria, gymnasium, um
with about 200 additional students. and then really looking at what the space allocations are and the footage by room to see if we do have and what the right number would be. Um, and then identify if there are renovation uh and
construction needs um for for the models that we're looking at. Then there are other logistical items that have been part of a discussion that we also have had conversations about and that would be the feasibility of the
recommended models for specialized programming. So for special education and for e um and it also would be for making sure that we are keeping in conversation and exploring other challenges such as
shared space instructional models and what those capacity constraints would be. And the other things that have come up are after school care specifically for fifth grade but sixth grade has also been part of the conversation. And so
what would that look like and what could we possibly do? Um, and then making sure that we know that there are several um, here we call them milestones, but really a lot of traditions that are part of what is now the elementary structure and
making sure that we honor those and give enough time and space so that students are not missing out on moving on ceremonies, clapouts, field trips that are associated with that last year of elementary school. and then of course what the financial implications would be
to any and all of these conversations. And so this slide here really captures a lot of what the message was that we sent out as a task force to the community to give a brief update around the work that
we had done for the three months and then flagging that we would be coming to this body for this meeting to provide a little bit more of a detailed update. Um what was reflected in that memo as well as on this slide are we understand that
there's a lot of um feelings and questions and hesitations around this work and because of that people really want to know what's going to happen and they they want swift solutions. All of that is completely understandable, but
we also want to make sure that we're spending the time to do this the right way and the best way for Medford for public schools and not so quickly that we're not taking a really deep comprehensive look at what we have in
front of us. And that includes these five pillars, which is really taking the time and space to do a deep review of enrollment trends. What we don't want to have happen is trade one schools over capacity for
another. Um so we really want to look across levels um and project out what is going to be happening. Comprehensive programming analysis. We talked about that with the middle school models. What are other communities doing? What could we possibly do? Um vetting out the way
we do things now and is it the right way? Is there a better way? strategic construction planning. No matter what we do, it would involve some level of construction and renovation and what would that look like? Uh collaboration
with staff. We're really excited about the balance of this task force, but ongoing conversations with our teaching partners are very important as we work through this in a thoughtful way. Um and then again, as said, but really taking
time for transition planning. so that everyone is part of the conversation, everyone knows what the plans will be and taking a very meaningful approach to any sort of transition planning that may arise.
And so what this looks like in just big picture is this summer the subcommittees are doing their research and their data dives and through between September and December we're bringing all of that back and the subcommittees uh within the task
force are going to be digging into the work that was done over the summer and brought back and really determining what the viability is for a 5678 model. and we want to make sure that we are providing this body and the community
with what our recommended path forward is um somewhere between December 2026 and very early January 2027. And with that, I think I would just
yield to member um Parks or member Reinfeld if they feel there are additional pieces that they want to clarify. and open it up member Renfeld member parks. So >> I had a couple of little things um to
add which is to note that the caregivers in on this committee also have special education experience in their family with um various models of special education. So that is represented in the room. Um and then one of the other things that the task force has complete
access to with anonymized but is the survey responses of what the community um thought. So I want to make sure people know that we are digesting that and incorporating that into the questions we're asking in our data dives and how we're thinking about solutions.
Um and then also just to note that the word transitions is being used in two different ways. Um, sometimes it refers to transition to a potential new grade configuration. Sometimes it also refers to the transition between grade levels
of the actual students, which is one of the the real um on the educational side of things. probably the biggest concern that came up in the survey and that we're all very conscious of of when students transition to a new school, how that affects their learning over the
summer into the new school year and their through line through MPS. So, I just wanted to clarify those three things. >> Thank you, member Park. >> Um, I think now everything that I was
going to say is covered. So, I think I am good for now. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you and thank you for the presentation. Thank you to all who have been working on this. So I think the only thing I would say if there are any questions we can take them and then the
other piece would be the last time this the one piece here is the this body voted that the earliest this would happen would be the 28 now I have to make sure the 2728 school year and we are recommending that
we push that to the 2829 school year. So I believe the first time it was done by vote. So I think we are looking for a vote here. Is that correct? Rinfeld, member Rinfeld and member parks I
believe. So >> yes. >> From a f then question for me from a financial standpoint. Um, has that been explored because I know that is a piece of a piece of this >> meaning shifting the the time meaning
the savings the potential savings that have been discussed um previously shifting those savings another year when you know it's just tough every budget season. So, was that explored or thought about or
evaluated before we take a vote? >> Uh, specifically, I I would probably have to say no. Um, I think I'd have to maybe look into that and get back to you. I'm not 100% even
sure um about the savings. I mean, I think it's important for Noel and Jerry to have an understanding and input as it relates to potential cost savings. I kids and students are first and foremost, but it
just plays a part of the evaluation. >> I don't think the task force is costing the district money to do this study. This is all volunteer where the cost >> no mean the actual grade configuration
I'm I'm >> that's correct. >> Yes. >> Right. So to push those cost savings to do this there. Yes. And that was discussed quite in depth behind the scenes when when this was before this was brought on the floor.
>> You mean doing this rather than say redistricting or some other solution. that those were the costs saving that was the cost discussion I remember from our initial vote. >> Yeah, I don't know it was there's a there would be a cost savings
when this is is potential cost savings great deal of cost savings when this is done and that just needs to be evaluated even just from a budgetary standpoint by the finance team. I think part of what we're looking into
is are the models that we could run. And if we were to do this, there may be some um small pieces of renovation that also would have to take place. Um
and of course, we are going to involve the finance team. Uh, but I'm just I don't other than what we've said, I'm not quite sure of what the other piece would be. I think it was before your time as well.
There was potential of a, you know, million-doll cost savings being explored. Um, which was one of the reasons why we would were exploring this option. But again, that that has to be evaluated
from a finance perspective. So I would just I would just ask that that be done before we continue to move this further and further down the road. So just not having been
part of those conversations um having just been part of this I do think one interimm step we are also requesting and correct me if I'm wrong Erica or member Graham or member Ryfeld or Dr.
Circle Lucy, sorry, staring at a different box. Um, is that we are asking for a additional update in December of kind of
the direction we are thinking or January time frame. December, January time frame once we have had time to regroup after the summer with our findings and then determine what everything means to kind of bring our findings together and then
have a chance to kind of have the two groups come together again bringing both sides together and then have that dece have that kind of January December based on your kind of timeline Dr. Lucy, is that correct? And I think that is also a
point where we would be able to have the additional conversation just as a >> reminder is that >> I think as the subcommittees report back and say this is what we find and think is possible and recommended we then say what are the financial implications of
those paths forward and so yes absolutely I think this extra time for potential implementation lets us do that in a holistic IC way both in terms of the immediate costs of making a transition and in terms of the long-term
financial health of the school budgets. So yes, I think I think this extension allows us to actually do that deep dive with Noel and Jerry and get those answers to this committee.
Thank you for clarifying. So would we then hold the vote until we provide the update so >> I think so. Yes. >> The vote to ex the vote to extend
>> the vote to extend to to continue to push this further. >> Can I >> I think so. I know I am concerned. I am concerned that if we say this could still happen next year, we are going to have some
panicking >> teachers and caregivers and students. They are already anxious about people who are going into fourth grade this year going what am I doing? People who are coming into sixth grade, am I only getting one year at the middle school?
They these are the answers they were hoping for in the spring. and to tell them that we don't know. That doesn't feel good to me to I think it >> I don't think it's realistic. I I
understand wanting the swift solution and to be able to implement these things, but I think it doesn't allow for planning. It's not well aligned with the collective bargaining agreements that we have with the unions about spaces, how
spaces are shared, what the teaching commitment looks like for lenture. I I understand, but I am really nervous about not about having people still panicking about not not knowing what's going to happen
at the end of the school year. They're starting right now. >> Correct. Yeah. I I agree with that and I and I want to say that I think we could have the analysis done to say this is the direction we're
going in by December January because we would have to be able to start implementation and having those discussions I don't think we would be able to be ready
to rock and roll by the beginning of next school year is my concern and have everyone be on board and ready to go. Especially if we do stick with the plan that is in place
right now. It would require potential um erection of walls or whatever um might be for separating spaces as was identified in just the initial walkthrough. Um so that would need to be
discussed and doing construction in that quick of a time frame I don't think is feasible. No member master bony >> I agree. I think it's unrealistic that
we'd be able to decide procure complete um like what member parks is saying these these renovations that we need to implement this. Um, so I mean I think I think it there's tension, right? The faster we do this sounds like if there are cost savings, right? The faster we
can um generate those cost savings. But I think at the same time like it's unrealistic that we're going to change the structure of the building in time for basically a year from now, which is when we sort of need to be done and ready to go. Um, so I think that that, you know, I'm I'm happy to vote to to to push it back another year. And I think
that that that's reasonable. motion. >> I mean, am I allowed to to make this motion since I'm on the task force? I motion that >> anybody can. >> Okay. Um, so my motion is that the school committee approve a no earlier
than start date for this transition of the 20 27 or sorry 20 28 29 school year. Um, the same resolution for the task force with an updated date a year later.
>> I second. >> Okay. Roll call. Member Graham, I don't know if she's still here. >> No, she had to leave. >> She had to leave. She had to leave. Okay. Member Masperi. >> Yes. >> Member Leat. >> Yes.
>> Member Parks. >> Yes. >> Member Rinfeld. >> Yes. >> Member So, yes. Mayor Lingern. >> Okay. Yes. Motion passes six to zero.
Presentations. No presentations of student advisory council or the public. We have continued business MSVA update by member Graham, vice chair of the me comprehensive high school building committee and Dr. Suzanne Galooi, our superintendent. A review current and
future policy um providing storage space to large community partners. Provide guidance to MCHSBC regarding storage space. B discuss current and future educational partnership with Japanese language school. Provide guidance to the superintendent regarding an enhanced
partnership with JLS. Provide guidance to the MCHSBC regarding space for the JLS library. Discuss proposal for teen health center and MHS including rationale and benefits, operating plans and costs and partnership requirements. Provide
guidance to the MCH SBC regarding teen health center space. Review sustainability goals for MHS project. provide guidance to the project team, the MCH SBC and the MCH SBC sustainability and MEP systems advisory
team. >> Dr. Lucy, I'll turn over to you. I don't see Member Graham. >> No, I think Member Graham had to hop off and deal with a situation. Um, I'm going to ask either our project team or Mr. Lord
to present the slide deck and then um thank you Matt. I see Matt Rice. Are you able to >> I am I didn't want to steal Ken's
thunder. Um but assuming that he's happy with me sharing the screen, I will do that. Just move things around. All right. Is that up for everybody? >> Yes. >> All right.
Okay. So, I think I'm going to start the conversation and then I'm going to um turn it over to the project team. So, you can advance the slide, please. I think tonight is just a little bit of an update.
Um I know we have updated this committee before. This is just a a quick slide on the design that was selected um and the the full integration of what we are hoping this high school um can bring to
the community. We've talked plenty of times before about um we have such a wonderful comprehensive um opportunities here for students, but they're a little siloed in the way the building is structured. And this is going to provide us a lot of opportunity
to just integrate all of what we have to offer for our students in a very interdicciplinary approach um and while also keeping communityf facing programs um easily accessible to the community um and connecting our students to the
possibilities of the fells in a way that we're unable to do right now. So, um I think we're going to get into some of the other logistics of this later on in the slides. So, I'm just going to ask to advance for right now.
Um Matt, um Matt, was there anything specific you wanted to talk about on this slide? >> Um this particular slide, no. It's a nice image um only because it gives the overall sense of what the proposed site
development is proposed to be um working all the way from um Edgerly Field that is reimagined um with a track and a multi-purpose football field and also soccer field at the top at Edgerly um and then working its way um down the
hill. Um the renovated gymnasium and pool um is this area that I'm highlighting with my cursor now if you can see that. Um and then the new addition is really built all the way around that. Um so we are going to be blurring that boundary in terms of what's perceived um as renovated space
and what is new addition it will be a holistic um comprehensive environment when it's completed. Um the exterior appearance of the building is nothing that is set in stone um just yet or even designs. is really just to give a sense of scale um and texture and sort of
where windows and apertures may be. Um there is a large um centralized parking area um out in front um with drop off that's happening for um parents as well as MBTA buses um out in front um and if we work our way down the hill as well
where the existing parking lot is um is where the second of the multi-purpose fields will be located. Um and then a reimagined Steve Miller Drive as you come in off of Winthrip Street. So this just gives you the overall picture um again of what the proposed site development is.
>> Thank you so much Matt. >> Okay so I'm just going to give a broad overview of community partner rental spaces right now. I know this has been a topic of conversation but right now um a lot of our schools as we know are used
um as rental uh for various community and outside uh organizations affiliations here at the high school and the McGlin Middle School there are some programs in which they are using spaces
as storage. Uh, I think we know this building is quite large and there are little nooks and crannies everywhere and so there are some um programs. The Japanese language school here at the high school,
Redemption Hill uh here at the high school have some space in areas of the high school in which they're storing materials. Um, a lot of those are things that they need for their uh, programs
that happen mostly on the weekends. Um, Impact Church is at the McGlin and the same is happening. There may not be dedicated uh, closets or classrooms, but there is some storage maybe on like hallways or wings of the stage. And so
if you see here um from the space summary there are educational prep space and then there's just straight storage space uh you can see what is in the space summary right now reflects a little bit of what is being used right
now um and then what the cost would be to continue to provide community partners with rental space. So there is the estimated construction cost and then the total project cost
which is a little under $2 million. If we could just advance the slide please. So here you get a sense as to in the projected I guess soft plans for the school where
these spaces right now are placed which is this this blue dotted um circle which is somewhat adjacent to some community spaces. It's near, as you can see, the auditorium um and it is near some um gymnasium
spaces, mechanical spaces. Right there is where the the two storage spaces would be so that there's that um access to some of those community facing spaces. Next slide, please.
And so this here, we're here tonight to have a conversation and get guidance um from the school committee about whether Metro Public Schools will continue to provide storage space to long-term renters. I think it's important to note
if we're talking about the Japanese language school that has been here, um we just c they just celebrated 50 years here in Medford. So that is definitely a longstanding um partnership.
Um Redemption Hill is not as long but these are the things that have just happened over time in which space has been provided for them to store materials. So, continuing to provide that space. Um, do we want to be able to
do that to continue to provide rental space for them um until the construction begins and or during the construction phase? Do we want to continue to leave it in the plans and
provide storage space? It is not reimburseable and so there would be an additional cost to keeping in storage space. And then we also want um to look at some some of the things we've been looking at as alternatives to this um
situation would be do we place additional storage cabinets within the high school within some classrooms that um some of these partners would be able to access? Do we provide shelving space
um within the build for the community partners? Do we potentially look at if need be providing like outdoor sheds somewhere on the property um that could possibly be rented out for storage
reasons um to community partners and these are some of the things that we are seeking for um a vote this evening. I would say to you um I
I would say to you that right now the high school has as I mentioned a lot of little spaces in which the storage is not as a result of something else going without. There's
just a lot of additional space. That's not necessarily going to be the case in a new build. And uh it also makes things a little confusing in terms of it is not part right now of the school committee policy
in terms of what the rental agreement is for when we are renting space to community organizations or to outside uh affiliations. And so it is void of that school committee policy and not something that
is reflected anywhere in policy. um and I think is a little slippery slope. I don't know if it's we're going to talk about a couple spaces, so I don't know if you want me to go through the whole slide up until the lead portion and then
we discuss or if you'd like to discuss each section as we go because we are looking for guidance from the committee. I would like to at least discuss the the partnership with the Japanese language
school before we talk about the storage for partners. >> Thank you. So that perfectly cued member Reinfeld. Um so Japanese Language School is a nonprofit educational institution.
They have been here as we said for 50 years. They service all of the New England area and there are approximately 800 students that learn here every Saturday. They are learning the language
and they are learning the culture. That is what the Japanese language school is. As part of the partnership, um I am invited to many of their ceremonies, many of their um moving on, their graduation, their beginning of the school year.
We do have a contract. They've they have a long-standing contract um for the use of space on Saturdays. Primarily classrooms in the C building, uh the lecture hall spaces, the gymnasium,
and on occasion the theater, but regularly not. It's about 38 Saturdays per school year and they pay $142,000 uh approximately each year. So, some of the things here for your
consideration is they have one of the lecture halls that they use as their library and they have for several years. A lecture hall is tiered. It is quite large as you can see here. It's about 1,700
um square ft of space. Every inch of it is used for their library. And so part of what again this would not be a cost that is covered. And so that would be a cost, an additional cost. Um but they do
feel like the space that they have for the lecture hall for their library um there are back offices in there as well that they use for some storage capacity. We also found out by doing this work um with our
project team that there are one or two other spaces on different floors that they also have for storage. Uh what is located in there is signage, um vests and cones for arrival and dismissal procedures,
um classroom materials, their own carts uh specifically for their their lower primary grades uh for their instruction that they roll out and in each Saturday. Um and then we have heard this from all
of the renters that have um space is audio equipment for when they have large gatherings um because our audio equipment is quite faulty. So those are the types of things that they are storing here. You would
see just for the library um and what these spaces would be would be a total project cost of about 2 I'd say eight uh million dollars. And so
this is an educational partnership that we could uh look into a little bit more um in terms of what that may look like moving forward um with the Japanese language school because they we have a
50-year partnership um with the schools and the city. I know that they have worked with um the mayor as well uh throughout the years. There's a there's a tree planted at city hall. So, there is um there is space to kind of look
into this a little bit more closely. And then I'm going going to just stop for any questions or conversations that are top of mind. I think you can keep going, Dr. Guly. No questions that I see.
>> Okay. Can we go to the next slide then just so we can see more of the space. Um, so again, I know I framed this. I'll do it really quickly, but what we're looking for is whether the school committee um wants to build some of these academic spaces for the Japanese
language school. I think there are two pieces to talk about. there's their library and then there is the storage space um and if there is a educational component to the library uh andor the partnership with Japanese language
school and what parts of the partnership uh would this school committee like us to dig a little bit further in um and then what that partnership could maybe um yield or offset for this project in
Medford public schools. And then just so you get a sense as to where the spaces are. The next slide, please. I don't know if we want to. Is there a way to make that a little bit bigger? Matt,
>> we cannot zoom in unfortunately here. Um I think we have the series of the different floor plans here. >> Yep. >> All the way up and through. I think it's just so that you can see that right now they have classrooms within many
classrooms within the C building and so you would see here where a lot of those classrooms would be. They use our cafeterias that is uh more centrally located where that light yellow coloring is right here. Uh where Matt is putting
his his pointer. Um and that right there is also like the front door access which is what they typically use each Saturday. Um for their drop off and pickup um and I think that might be it.
>> We just have the upper levels as well. So I think as you were saying Dr. Glucius, they would have access they would need access to even the upper levels here given the number of classrooms. potentially it could be limited to level four depending on the number of classrooms
um but if not um up to the fifth or sixth floor so it' be accessing a good majority of the building after hours right so go back to the the question that was posed
>> thank you I am going to pause here just for for a discussion on the educational partnership with the Japanese langu language school. I do think it would be worth looking in just for my two cents. I do think it would be worth looking into what this
partnership um means moving forward and for me to engage a little bit more fully with um the leaders of the Japanese language school in terms of the library space. And then the other piece to talk about is just general
um storage space to offer rentals. Um which I feel quite differently about. I'm happy to take any questions. Member master. Thank you um madam chair through youu uh
superintendent um thank you for this I think it's like it's a pretty straightforward question right is like is this something we see um a part of the building in the future um whether it's Japanese language school or other community partners right it's sort of
like a fundamental question of are we building something for the community are we building something specifically for the the um the students feels like um I ran quick numbers like you know if if these folks are a great partner
specifically these folks are a great partner they pay their rent um and basically this pays for the investment that we would make um just doing quick math um my question for you is like what's the nature of our agreement and relationship with the school um you know
if we built a space would that be something that is allocated for the language school or is that something that we have to run like an RFP or um can are we going to get going to get ourself ourselves into a situation where we create this space um this li
potential library space um and mass general law requires us you know 30B or or you know um requires us to to to to put out an RFP for this space and we get an unintended consequence of you know somebody else coming in and then we're sort of in a difficult position like I I'd love to know what our maybe this is
a naive question but like what is our relationship to the school and what contract do we have with them? Are they just a regular community schools user? Um, just like anybody else and sort of like how would that process go? I I always want to avoid, you know, like
preferential treatment to certain nonprofits. They're all great. Every single one is great. So, I I think that would be helpful for me, helpful context for me if you have that. >> No, I I appreciate that question so much and I thank you for that. Um, I think I I'm very like-minded to that. So, I
would say, as I mentioned, in order to rent space in any of our buildings, there's school committee policy and there's a rental agreement and we go by that. But I would say I inherited a contract from the Japanese language school and just the Japanese language
school. Um that seems to be that they have run about every 3 years and it does not follow the rental agreement. So there does seem to be some history of a
separate contract with the Japanese language school. Um, it does lay out uh their great their gratitude for using the space and how they partner with Medford Public Schools and it does detail the
spaces that they use uh when their school year runs and what the cost the annual cost is. They do pay additionally for uh door monitors um because they want to have I mean 800
students are educated up here on a Saturday. It is quite busy and it is quite a large amount of people and so they they have a a crew of people um that work for the Japanese language school but they also do ask for
additional staffing. they pay for it. Um, but they do ask for additional staffing. I think the I think the other piece that makes them slightly different than other renters would just
be this relationship with the city and the schools in terms of um definitely at least the mayor and I um are part of a lot of the ceremonies
every year in which they are recognizing students um and recognizing the partnership that they have. That doesn't necessarily that doesn't really happen with the other um renters,
but in terms of what the partnership has been and could be, uh might be worth looking into a little bit more. But we are definitely in the business of educating students
I am very proud that we have community spaces where the community can gather in celebration and in meeting. But I would say that first and foremost we are here for the students. And so I
do feel that we would be blurring the lines and it would get um honestly a little messy to say that we are going to be providing space for storage. I don't I don't really support that. Um, but I'm intrigued to look into a little
bit. >> Do we have the answer on the RFP that that member master makes a good point on? >> I I personally would have to look into that. I'm not quite sure. >> Yep. >> I don't know. I mean, we have people from the design team. Um, but I don't
know that. I think that's something I'd have to look into. Okay. Member Oh, I don't know who had the hand up first. Ryan member >> member Parks then member Rinfeld. >> Uh, member Ryinfeld was first, so that's fine.
>> Oh, okay. Um, so, thank you. So, I was I have a few questions. Um, I was hoping that the mayor and the superintendent could perhaps comment on the benefit of this partnership to the community. I hear recognition ceremonies and
participation. That's very feel-good. I'm curious what other benefits we're deriving from the partnership in general. My Yeah. So, maybe I'll start with that if you have Mayor, were you gonna jump in or Okay. Um, so I would I that would be
something I'd like to hear. My general feeling on this is that we should build the the spaces that we need for Medford and for Medford students. And if there are community groups that can use them aligned with their mission and not
contrary to the mission of Medford Public Schools, that's what community schools is there for, for rentals to provide it. The one thing that gives me pause on this particular one is this deep 50-year relationship that
feel as you say it feels different. Um the question that I was going to ask was this final bullet point that we're seeing on the screen here. Does Japanese language school have capacity to fundraise to support this construction? But what gave me pause on that, and I'm
sorry I'm going to go around in circles because it's it's very tangled here. But what gave me pause on that was if they have fundraised for the construction, does it then entitle them to it in perpetuity? And that also doesn't feel
right for a building whose primary mission is the school as much as education is happening. Um, so I think I lean towards we need to see more of a material benefit to Medford public schools in order to really fully support
this and what that looks like, right? Is it I hear great things are happening in the learning of language and culture, but I don't know that Medford students are necessarily benefiting from that. So this is where I'm leaning. I'm
not fully sold, but so I I guess I just want to know a little bit more about the business and reciprocity of providing this. I I really do feel our job is to build the high school that we need and I think to use a space that is
available to the Medford community. I do think some storage is needed associated with the different spaces, right? You don't build a theater that doesn't have room to store equipment. You classrooms need storage and I think in some cases
I would support a little bit of an expansion so that our community partners which bring in rental income can have the basics of what they need. A library is a lot. That is a huge expense particularly compared to all of these
other storage spaces. Um, so I haven't managed to distill that down into a question except what is the I support cost neutrality on these things and I want to know what what reciprocal benefits Medford is deriving from this
capacity 100%. Um, I think that would be part of the exploration because as of right now there there aren't I I I support doing things that feel good and are kind and generous,
but asking Medford taxpayers to support something that we're not that our students aren't directly seeing benefit for does not feel within the purview of what we're trying to do with this project. That's where I that's where I
think I land and I will let others comment. >> I think you could go. Member Parks. >> Did we lose the mayor? >> I think we did. Oh, well, member Parks was definitely next. >> Thank you.
>> Um, who's on here with us? She's saying she can't unmute, but I don't see her anywhere to help unmute her. Is she the iPhone? Oh, yeah, she is. Hold on one minute.
>> No, the iPhone joined while Mary was on still. Yes, that's me. I was just switching. >> Um, and I was just gonna say member parks can go next. As far as member Rinfeld's question, they're a great organization. Um, wonderful and they provide us rent.
So, that's kind of all I other than that I don't >> that's the extent of the Thank you. >> Yes. I mean, the they're they're a great organization and like Dr. Lucy said, they invite her and I to some of their milestones. Um, and they've been great
renters as far as I know and they provide like the 142,000 a year. Uh, thank you. Uh, I can echo member Rinfeld's sentiments. Quick point of clarification. Dr. Dr.
Glucy, did you say that the 142,000 a year that is just covering their rent and then they pay additional for any security or anything else they use? Or is that inclusive of security as well?
>> No, I believe anything additional to what is not listed in the contract they're paying additional. So, as they need that, they're paying for it. >> Okay. And then my second question would
be how does this annual fee potentially compare and you may not have this now so this may be a question for future and I apologize um compared to some of our other agreements on you know whether it
be an hourly basis have we have we looked at that and I apologize I did not ask this prior to the meeting so That may be something that needs to be looked into. Um, but is it >> comfortable?
>> Yes, I can. I mean, I'm glad Mr. Lord is on the call, but Mr. Lord, Mr. Olirri, and myself have spent a great amount of time this year looking at community schools and rental agreements that were
or were not. So, I could get you the um kind of side byside comparison. It's close, but it is probably a little under what it should be. Um but it's much more in the park than most of our
other agreements. Would you say that's a fair um calculus, Mr. Lord? >> Yes, very much so. But I can get you those co the compar the the actual numbers. >> Okay. But that that's good to know that
it's closer to the park and knowing that the lease is every 3 years. So it may not be kind of comparable depending on when things were updated. So >> there there this lease that that was signed by the previous superintendent I
believe is up not at the end of this year but next year. >> Okay. Thank you for that. Okay, thank you. I appreciate those clarifications. >> Go next. Don't know if we got the mayor back.
Um, so I have been struggling with this now for weeks because this is not a new topic. Um, I do want to say I'm completely opposed to any outside storage. We don't need to have this beautiful landscaped building and then within, you know,
weeks of finishing it, start erecting the junk that always accumulates around old structures. Um, and so I just I'm completely opposed to outside storage as a not just a cosmetic
issue, but it's like it looks like we didn't plan if a week after we open the building, we're in we're building additional storage outside. It just doesn't make any sense to me. Um, I also am reading that surplus school space is supposed to be approved by Desi before
it can be rented out. Um, so I'll go out on a limb and bet we didn't do that. Um, so if we do continue this, we're going to need to, you know, Desi's requirement here is about surplus space. Well, we won't have surplus space. We'll
be building explicit space. And I'm a little concerned whether Desessie would allow that. Forgetting about the whole, you know, we're gonna pay 100% of it. Um, you know, we were flushed with cash and we're like, whatever, let's build it all.
Desi has to approve it. And it's specific to excess space. So, for long-term leases, which is what we we have to call the long-term lease. Maybe it's not a long-term lease because we just do a contract every few years. But I mean, at some point, you know,
after 50 years, that seems indefensible. Um, to suggest it's just not a long-term lease and we're just avoiding Desi's involvement. Um, you know, one of the challenges I also have is that when it comes to renting
out our space, if we decide to rent out our space, we have to be neutral around the purpose. You know, it has to be um uh what is it called? Opinion uh viewpoint neutral. So, um,
what I'm reading is that for viewpoint neutral, that just means, you know, we had a new space we, you know, because we had excess space and we were going to put it out to see who wanted to rent it. We couldn't decide who would get that based on whether they're educational or
religious or any other kind of thing. Um, but again, this isn't what we're talking about at all because we're not going to have excess space. Um, so you know, I I understand the
superintendent like JLS is educational oriented. I did look up they don't even charge very much for their their students. Like a shockingly low number compared to what you'd expect from um well probably anything and everything nowadays. Um so they're they really are
doing this as a benefit, not an attempt to make a gazillion dollars. Um, and the educational component of it is is very attractive to me. But I'm I feel like when we make a decision here, we
are making a decision that covers the churches and anybody else who also is using the space. It's not we don't get to pick one. Um, maybe we could get rid of Let me one second.
Um um so yeah, I'm just struggling because again we are asking the the the Medford taxpayers to to build a new space for JLS for the
churches. Um you know, I'm going to give up on the church and state thing. We have a Supreme Court that wants to turn us into an actual uh Anyways, I I don't want to get into that, but there doesn't not seem to be any legal separation of church and state
anymore. So, um my discomfort there is sort of irrelevant at this point, but um yeah, I'm really struggling. I mean, it's a 50-year relationship. They're educating. They're doing language and
culture stuff that I feel like everybody here wants that to continue, >> but um I I just how do we figure out how to get that to happen? Um I wish we had more space in Medford where we could
perhaps offer it up and they could rent it and renovate it to what they want. I don't know. I'm just kind of rambling here because I'm not finding any strong guide for how to feel and think about this and
that's not very common for me. Thank you, member. So, member Parks, I think she already spoke. I did. Okay. So, do we want to keep keep going with the presentation? We have a long
agenda tonight. >> I mean, you need guidance from us, right? >> I do need guidance and I definitely am hearing on the it seems that there is some consensus around that guidance for
storage space. I think we need a legal opinion if we need an RFP. And if we need an RFP, maybe there's other ideas we can explore. >> Okay. Can the city of Medford build a space for one school that's not
associated with the city of Medford? Is a is a great question. Member Master Bony um proposed I think the question is is more general. It's like member Russo sharing like are first are we able to build discretionary
space right number one. Number two, if we do >> um what's the process for um for booking that? And I think like this is the again like the fundamental unique challenge of this is it's it's a library, right? It's like physical media. Um so there it
can't it's not people coming in and out, it's things staying there and people well it is people coming in and out. It's not just uh you know the the people coming into the building, it's it's the resources that they need to have there. So yeah, I mean I I think like I really
um I think it's I think Superintendent used the word slippery slope, right? Um I I suspect it's illegal for us to build a space. >> I suspect it's illegal for us to build a space specifically with one vendor in mind, regardless of how awesome or um
long history that vendor is. Um, so yeah, I mean I think we build we it's it's incumbent on us to build a school that that we think we need and then if there's extra space like we'd love to have folks in unfortunately that turns into a city of Medford problem, right? Um and I think there's going to be a
number of those. There may or may not be a number of those um that come out of the project, right, that become city of Medford problems or, you know, opportunities to solve. um this feels like a pretty straightforward like more likely to to go down that route for me because of the challenges of um anti-
aid because of the challenges of desi. It sounds like I'm I'm just learning this from from from my colleagues. So um I think those are the those are the questions that I have going forward. That being said like if the choice is right now keep it in the keep it in the the project and we can take it out later
like if the school building school building committee follows that process like I'm fine to let them work through that and get the information out. Um, I don't think we have the information to decide that right now. >> I think the other piece just to like keep in mind is that we have the
guidance that we're looking for is to bring back to the building committee. Um, we have that meeting this week. We have it on Wednesday. So, that's going to give clear direction to the building committee as to what the next steps are
going to be. Member Rinfeld and member Rouso. I think the position I would take is that the school build to the school building committee is to build the building that our students and the
people of Medford need, but to build in some min perhaps minimal capacity to provide the flexibility to have community schools and rentals that allows us to rent the base and
bring in that income back to Medford public schools to cover the cost of being part of the community of providing spaces that the people of Medford need. That's that's the the core the core value here
is to build the space that Medford students teachers need and the community spaces and to and to make those spaces so that the broader Medford community can come in and take advantage and give back to
the students and the programs that we're running here. Thank you, member Rinfeld. Member Rousell. >> Um, sorry. The, uh, I would agree that the direction I I think makes sense is to keep it in
until we can get some more solid information. Um I mean I think I I don't I mean I I am wondering what left fieldielder or SMA are thinking about this around you know the the
requirement the desi approved excess space. Well I mean that I think is what we used to have in the Medford situation. We had this giant building and then we had extra space and then whether we actually got desi involved or not is six of one half a dozen of another at this point. But excess space
is very different than building space. So I I'm just wondering anybody has thoughts on that. I'll certainly let the the left field team chime in um if they have different experience, but um I will say Paul that
this is not something that we've come across in terms of our interactions with Desi. Um and it may just be that this particular scenario has not arisen previously. Um Desi has had a chance at some level to review the submission of the preferred schematic report and
didn't make any particular note of it. But it could also be that the nuance of the rental agreement um was not um at the level that they would need to have it um in order to comment. Um so there there could be some feedback down the road, but it's not something that we
have any precedent um from SMA's experience um dealing with it. And at the same time, I can't say that we have experience building purpose-built um space um in a new or renovated building um for um an outside non school or non
city entity as well. So, there's a couple of unprecedented pieces here for us. Um so, I apologize for not being able to give some clear clear guidance. Yeah, Matt, I I'm kind of in the same boat as you um in in terms of you know,
the amount of uh you know, community spaces that are are you know, being proposed here. Um and you know, specific to to certain programs within the city of Medford. Uh it is a bit of an unique situation. Um you know, we will go
through a desi submission uh submission process during the schematic design phase. Um, but as far as how deep of a dive they actually do into confirming, you know, what rental spaces are, um, is is something that I haven't been through
before. So, we won't give much guidance for Wednesday other than we need to think about it more. But I definitely have a high of which community spaces are most important to me which will come out momentarily.
>> So is there a motion on the floor that we need more time? >> Well, the only thing I would like to just get clarity on is it is it more time on both? But I think that the two things right now are,
you know, the JLS partnership and then there's the storage piece. Um, I don't know if we need more time on or am I hearing that we need more time on both of them. I mean, we didn't really talk about the
storage specifically. I think the storage space needs to be built into the places where into the spaces that are going to be used, not being a dedicated special place for storage that adds
a huge chunk of >> Yeah. >> square footage. That's like the the storage space should be custom for the space. And if people are using the space, they're using the space with its embedded included storage.
Yes. I just want to be clear, I'm not an expert at these projects, but I know in a lot of these new builds, the things on all of the tours that I've gone on um in other districts, one of the biggest things people talk about is you're just
not going to get that much storage space. And we already know that a lot of our spaces are going per DESIE regulations are going to have to be shared spaces. That is definitely going to be a shift for a lot of our staff. So
I don't know what there will be for storage. and to say we're going to build uh separate storage for you know partnerships or rental spaces
that would not be covered in the cost um is something I think is going to be really tricky um because we're not we're not going to be building extra storage space necessarily for
um staff, it would be for this it would be for this purpose. And I I do think just for clarity um I think we have to just be clear about storage space because I do think that
that just opens up um a a great wide Pandora's box. Member Rinfeld and member Rouso. I do not support taking storage space away from staff and giving it to community rental partners. I that's that's
non-negotiable for me. Priority storage needs to go to the classroom and education and extracurricular educational needs of Medford public schools. That that's my position on that. And if we need more space so the teachers can
do their jobs, let's build that more space. But I don't think we should be building it for community partners if we haven't built it for our own staff and students. >> Member cell. >> Oh, I I certainly agree with uh what
member Rinfeld just said. I think, you know, I I don't know why it's just dawning on me, but like, you know, if if a certain amount of square footage is rented and they're renting it, you know, 24/7, 365, it's not just there for an hour,
um, they can make their own storage in the space. That's different than us building storage. So, I I guess I'm really falling on the line of no storage in these rental places. If you want to use 10% or 40% of your space to store
your stuff, well, fine. Um, but us building it that way creates this scenario where it's not as multi-purpose. You know, if you decide to stop being a renter, it's not a big
square space or whatever the shape is. Um, and then you know what if the next renter doesn't need any storage? We've literally wasted a whole pile of space that we can't rent out in any other fashion either. So, I guess I'm coming
down on the side of no storage. Um, now I know the logistical challenge is that well, no, again, like you can build your space inside there. Um, and by build, I don't mean, you know, bring a construction crew, obviously, but um, if
you look at most of our basements, you probably find lots of storage that didn't require, um, inspections. So, >> can I just say one thing? I just want to make sure it's clear for people that are listening. Um, all of the space that's
rented is instructional space that is used in some fashion during the day. And quite honestly, that is a lot of what we are constantly challenged with. um mostly at
the McGlin because I know it's been 25 years, but it's a newer build than this high school of 1970 that was built for a much larger uh enrollment population. And so we have these little spaces that aren't used and
they've turned into storage spaces. But the problem we're running into at the McGlin with some of the renters is is the storage on our stage on the wings and it does restrict the use uh sometimes during the
day for our students in our MPS programs and I again I have said I very much am happy that we are community focused and that we are using our spaces is um in in
that stance, but I would say it is tricky sometimes when that impedes our day-to-day functioning of the space um for rental
reasons. And I to a lot of the members comments here, it's important that we have community um organizations in our building and that they're giving back to Medford Public Schools. Um but it really should not
their logistical need for however they rent their space should not be on us to figure out. And right now storage as I said before is not part of the rental agreement per or policy through Medford through the Medford school committee.
And even that right there would need an update to the existing policy uh as storage is not listed. Member Rinfeld and then member parks. >> I just think the discussion of storage
space at the McGlin should be referred to perhaps our built our facilities subcommittee. It sounds like an important conversation, but I don't think it's the guidance that the SBC needs right now. I can motion that the subcommittee meet if that's helpful.
>> No, I was just giving an example what I don't want the high school to turn into. Ah, but I agree that the subcommittee would Okay, >> that was all I wanted to say. >> Thank you, Member Rinfeld. Member Parks.
>> Um, I guess it may have answered my question, which was going to be of this uh the square footage listed here, how much of it is actually full? And is that all of it? Um,
>> do you mean do these numbers represent current use of storage space right now at Medford High School? >> Yes. I mean, is there really 750 uh
750 uh net feet? um that uh is filled with stuff from our rental partners >> plus another >> Yes. >> plus another 300 give or take. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. >> Yes. >> Um and so having that removed and making sure that it does not re-enter our buildings is what we're talking about.
So it we're not talking about literally just a a you know cabinet in a hallway. >> Okay. >> I just wanted to clarify that this space was actually filled to the brim and not that like we're talking about this space
exists but they're just sitting in cabinets. Um and these users I'm going to ask the same question. I mean, we're getting the same are we getting an equivalent
um the same question I asked for the Japanese school. Are we getting what the market rate? Nope. Okay. >> Oh, it's not even in the policy. So, we are not there is no fee being associated
right now to rental space. Um, and then what they're paying though for renting the spaces they are using minus storage space. Are they at least current in whatever the most recent
community? >> Nope. Okay. >> We're getting we're getting there. >> We're getting there. Got it. That's fine. Um, >> better than it was. >> I I I know that it was completely revamped this year and sat down and you looked at everything. So um
God um and is there an opportunity to include all storage space in I still find um providing this much storage? I don't agree with it. I feel like they should
be figuring out other places to keep things that are not our school buildings. I also I won't even touch the McGlin because we're tableabling that for now. Um but I think that if they want any use of even
a cabinet, they should be paying for it. Um, but I do not think that these numbers should be allowed in our buildings as excess when we are going to have teachers who are struggling with
storage and having to get used to operating under new ways of working in their day-to-day. And then our renters will have all the space they want. I just I don't see how
that is even remotely a message we want to be sending. So that that's where I stand on this one. Have they indicated that if they don't have this storage they are going to leave our schools and we will not
receive that rental income >> explicitly? No. Um, possibly. Yes. I mean, I think they do know that. Um, a lot of them are already starting to kind of think about other options in
terms of, you know, renting a U-Haul and bringing that back and forth each week. I think some of the conversations as I said before are some of the storage is audio equipment that may not be needed in this new facility because everything will be
updated. But the those small like instructional pieces or signage things that they need um those are things they may have to take back and forth with them. >> Okay. Well, I mean, I guess if renting a
U-Haul may suddenly prove cheaper than renting storage space, then it may have to be that way. I don't know. That's kind of where my thought process is. So, I would say, mayor, we just need
some sort of uh guidance or resolution from the school committee as to how we should proceed, whether it's um however we're whatever the majority rule is in terms of informing the building committee on Wednesday.
um through the just to the to our um left field and SMA. Do do we need guidance or is this enough for now? Does it do we actually need an actual vote? I mean I know the plan is to discuss you know some of these spaces with the full
committee to decide whether they are not uh for with the full building committee. um on Wednesday to discuss if uh they should be included or not and I know that they will be looking for a recommendation from from this committee.
So um just based on our current timeline that that was the the original goal. >> May I'd like to make a motion. >> Member Russell. Uh the motion is to not
build any storage space for rental use in the new MHS. >> Is there a second? >> I will second that. >> Friendly amendment can to prioritize
necessary storage space for educational use and not build um rental space for community rentals. Uh I don't I I think the storage space we're getting is a storage space we're allowed,
right? We we can't prioritize. We can't get more than we are getting. Or is that not true? >> I believe that's true. That's all part of >> Okay, I withdraw then. >> Sorry. I wish I could say that's I would love that. I just didn't. >> Yeah, I guess I'm just trying to put the
value in here. that the values component of this that it is that that our our priority is to the educational users. >> Yeah. >> Medford's educational users of Medford High School.
>> Okay. There's a motion on the floor. Is there a second? I think I heard a second by member Master Bony. >> Yeah. Um roll call. Member Master Bony, >> yes. >> Member Leat, >> yes. >> Member Parks, >> yes.
>> Member Reinfeld, >> yes. >> Member Rouso, yes. Marilyn Lern, >> yes. Six in the affirmative, zero in the negative. Motion passes. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> On to the teen health center.
>> Okay. Thank you so much. So, uh, another area that is right now in the space summary is the teen health center. And so, this slide talks a little bit about what that space, um, is for. So, it would eliminate traditional barriers
like cost and scheduling and transportation for our students to deliver both pro like medical care and mental health services. There are a lot of our surrounding district neighbors that have existing um school-based
healthcare centers. Uh that includes Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Pebb Ravier, and Somerville. And the data around uh those SBHC's is that in the buildings about 97% of students
are able to get the care they need in a visit and return to their learning in the classroom. So while we do prioritize physical health care, um the data that we have in front of us at least specific to Medford
public schools is the 2025 youth risk behavior survey that did talk a lot about the acute mental health emergency. Um and 20% of our high school students were reporting poor mental health and 25
experiencing debilitating depression. Um next slide please. And I think we all know that trying to find me mental health care services is very difficult at this time.
So we do feel that um right now Medford High School's location um we wonder about the hurdle and the barrier that it might cause. Um meaning that it is not located centrally in the city. um we are located
really to one side of the city um that borders Winchester and so there is a query around how that how the full-time use um may be tapped uh from day to day.
So a lot of our so director Silva and dire and Dr. Schulman did do a lot of research. They spoke to a lot of the neighboring districts. They spoke to um Cambridge Health Alliance and a lot of the feedback that they were receiving
and a lot of the data that they received did say that the volume of medical appointments um didn't always necessarily pay for the staff that are housed in the the medical
portion of the health care center. Uh right now we have Dr. Sabia. He is our kind of resident um pediatrician. He does care for some of our students. He does provide physicals especially around
um sports enrollment time. And so continuing to have someone like that in support of our community is very helpful. But there is still a very high demand for mental health services.
Um, so the issue here is that a fully funded teen healthc care center needs a nurse practitioner, a medical assistant, a health advocate, and a behavioral health provider. There are state grants which can
sometimes provide about $150,000 a year. Um, but the data that we did receive is that there's a wide range outside of those grant funding that leaves an operational gap for districts somewhere between and it might be even less than
this. It might be like 80,000 but about a hundred to $200,000. There is however medical uh excuse me Medicaid reimbursement that could bring a large amount of money back to the city
to kind of close that gap with school districts. Um but it would need that redirecting so that it would need the city to say, "Okay, we're going to give the Medicaid reimbursement to the schools to to kind of close the
operational gap." um if depending on what that uh would be. And then next slide, please. And so this shows you a snapshot of the space for the teen health center. There
would be a waiting room and a reception area, a toilet, an exam room, an office, a staff room, and then a storage room for medical supplies. the that you can see here the construction cost is about $2 million
with a total project cost of about 2.4. I'll just round up. Um the next slide I believe shows you um okay it shows you where it would be located here which you can see where the blue dotted circle would be which is here on kind of the
outskirts. Um this would provide this location provides some uh access externally as well as some privacy and confidentiality. One of the pieces that really kind of came up in
our many discussions were about the need to have a location that's not at the front of the school um for transport uh of students sometimes via ambulance. So, this location also around uh allows
for kind of around the corner or back part here of this wing uh to allow for that pickup and that access and also depending on where we go with the teen health center. Um
Matt Rice has spoken before that this location also provides a lot of flexibility to the current plans um in terms of inclusion or exclusion from the plans. And then I believe the next slide shows you an
example of what Somerville's uh footprint is in this purple area. You can see first and foremost it's adjacent to the nursing suite. So there's a lot of um you know shared capability there and then you can see what these spaces
look like. So you can see that there's the exam rooms and the staff rooms. There are private consult rooms to have meetings. There's a lab um and a medical safety area um for
disposing of equipment and and and additionally storing equipment. And then the next slide talks about um the guidance from this body if we should seek to create a new
teen health center at Medford High School and whether these spaces would be built at Medford High School um knowing they're not reimbursible and then whether the school committee is able to accept or absorb potential
annual operation operating costs and whether we ex the school committee explores additional potential partners. Right now we are partnered with CHA, Cambridge Health Alliance. Um are there other potential partners? Um would the city
allow the Medicaid reimbursement dollars to Medford Public Schools to defay the operational costs? And would there be grant or philanthropy funding um to help support the construction and whether a plan must be costneutral
to receive approval and I'm happy to answer any questions or expand. >> Member Master Bony >> happy to go first on this. I think this is one of the most um amazing investments we can make in our students. um a student who has access to um mental
health care, physical health care, reproductive health care at school without um you know relying on caretakers or parents um um um without relying on transportation. Um I think this is one of the best investments we
can make. It's right now ballpark a quarter of 1% of the project cost. Um and in terms of your questions um Dr. Gusi. Uh, I think this is something that is really, um, one of the huge value ads we can make in the new high school. Um,
I think it's worth it to absorb potential annual operating costs. My experience in Somerville is that Medicaid reimbursement um, you know, really does a lot to defay the cost of the operations here. Um, you know, we it's it's it's it's a lot of work for
the district um to contract with somebody to to to do this Medicaid billing. It's complicated, but it's not rocket science. Um there's there's contractors that can do it and I think with the right plan um this will be minimally uh this will cost minimal amount of money um for the district. Um
you know happy to continue working with with Mayor Lim Kokern on you know what what the future um funding plan looks like. But I I can't imagine a Medford High School in 20 you know us planning in 2026 without um having this resource. Um a student who you know is well is a
student who's ready to learn. Um, and I couldn't just couldn't possibly um um um think that that that that there's any any better investment we can make here. So, I just wanted to start off by sharing that. >> Was there a motion on the floor? I move that we that the school committee
recommends that the high school building committee continue to maintain a teen health center space within their planning docu process and documents. >> Second. >> Okay. I'm going to ask you to call the role members. So I'm going to abstain just because I'm a member of the vote
I'm a voting member of the building committee. So I'll hear all this on Wednesday. Call a roll please. Let me try that again. Member Master Boni still. Yes. >> Uh, member.
>> Uh, point of information. It I'm also a voting member of the building committee. Do I >> Doesn't matter. >> Doesn't matter. Okay. Then I vote yes. >> Member Parks. >> Yes. >> Member Rinfeld. >> Yes. >> Member Rouselle. Yes. May go.
>> I'll abstain. Five in the affirmative. One abstains. Motion passes. >> Thank you. I think this is where I turn it over to Matt Rice um from the project team. SMMA >> and I will quickly hand it over to
Martin. Um but I will also just say I appreciated the brevity of that second vote versus the first topic that we covered. So, Martine, you have to try and keep this one quick as well. >> I will I will um try I will try. Good
evening everyone. Uh Martin Diana um Sims Minimiki SMMA's um director of sustainable design. So, um, we're going to talk here about the lead certification that's required through MSBA. And tonight, we really need your
confirmation of the lead version. Um, MSBA uh offers either lead v4 or lead v5. And um, just to give you some context because maybe not all of you followed us, you know, the whole team
and this school building committee from the start. Um but um when we started this project, lead v4 was going to be sunset in June 2026. So about a month ago. So the project was to be under lead
v5. However, there's been a a sort of a a development that happened through uh from USGBC uh and GBCI and basically they extended the sunset date for V4
until next year June um June 2027. Um so this allows projects to still pursue under Elite V4. And what I'm going to go through here is um show you
the um sort of the the justification um for considering going back to lead v4. Um just a quick overview, MSBA requires lead silver certification minimum. Uh they support the fundamental
and enhanced commissioning part of lead. uh and then um they provide for additional reimbursement uh with uh meeting the specialized stretch code which Medford has adopted. So we will pursue that and then an
optimization of of specific lead material points uh can bring another 1% additional reimbursement and we're looking to optimize those additional reimbursement as part of this project. Um and what
lead is looking to do basically is from 2025 after this 727 June 27 on lead v5 new versions of lead are going to be updated every five years. That's their
goal. Um so the um the lead v6 would be coming in 2030. The sunset for the full certification final certification for V4 would be in 2032. And then about five years later the sunset for V5 in 2037
and so on. Next so we started the project on the learning curve on lead V5. It's very recent um with the understanding that the project would have to be certified under lead V5. uh it presented considerable challenge as part of the
early assessments and I know that there's um been discussion about achieving certification beyond the minimum lead silver required by MSBA. Um so what we also have learned recently
there's been uh uh uh peers that have shared uh nationally that have shared projects that have actually gone through the certification. There's very few of them and there's not a lot of schools. So the certification feedback that I
will bring uh talk about here bring some of the highlights uh were on you know commercial buildings. Um they mention considerable challenges with the review process with GBCI which is the entity
that does the review and approves the credits and the points for the certification level. This is common when there's a certification uh version change and we've seen that in early 10 years ago with V4.
um a minimum of 10 points will be denied. Um versus when you do a lead v4 now or lead v4 lead v4.1 there's usually just we work and we know the process and there's usually only one or two points that get denied. Um so it's a challenge
if if a project wants to achieve a high level of certification. uh the whole set of criteria in lead v5 is much more stringent and very different than lead v4. So when you achieve a lead v4 gold this means you
would probably achieve not more than a lead v5 silver. That said lead v4 lead v5 gold um is challenging and platinum is even more challenging and I'll talk about it in a minute. Um MSBA reported
to us a few weeks ago that Medford would be the only project seeking lead v5 at this time. Um there was another project that was also considering lead uh going for lead v5 probably within the same timeline we were last year and now they
are fully reconsidering back to V4. All of the other projects on um MSBA's list that are currently in design are all seeking V4. Um so Medford would be the only sort of a bit of the guinea
pig um going for V5 at this time. Next. So when we look at uh the certification the design and certification impacts um between V4 and V5 there's just a few highlights I want to go over and then we're going to talk about the platinum
which is the highest certification. Um so as I mentioned Lev5 is more stringent there pretty much all of the credits have had either an update or a complete modification from V4. So that's all the criteria for site, energy, water
efficiency, etc. Um there is a considerable number of new prerequisite that require more documentation, more early assessments. Leadv5 commissioning must start a schematic design and we've had you know challenges with this
because MSBA only assign an agent at DD um design development. Um and so the cost of hiring a commissioning agent that may not be the same commissioning agent as the one assigned by MSBA would
have to be uh you know provided through um the the current budget and that cost was not in the original budget. Um and then there's a set of credits that we used to that used to be somewhat
inherent in in any projects and they would contribute to get to help to get to the gold level and some they were easy credits. Um site master plan don't use the facilities and site assessment though those no longer exist in V5. So
this means that there's a set of criteria that we have to you know there's extra criteria that we have to look into the project to replace those easy ones and when looking at platinum uh which is the highest level of
certification so MSBA requires silver then there's gold and then there's platinum I know that there's some interest in in Medford to go to at least gold and maybe platinum Um platinum for
V4 means 80 points. Uh not not an easy thing but you know feasible in many projects. Um whereas V5 requires also 80 points but it does also mandate a fully
electrified project. Um there is a minimum uh percentage savings from their baseline um the lead baseline which is similar to our code baseline. Uh they require 100%
renewable energy installed which is not currently included in this project at the 100% level. Um and then uh 20% reduction in embodied carbon uh which involves including mass timber as part
of the structure. Next. So, what we're looking for you to confirm tonight is um do does the project continue to pursue lead v5 or uh we would need a change um to for the
school committee to adopt lead v4 as uh the version that we would be pursuing um to get uh the EMSB the MSBA grant. um as most of the other projects currently in design with MSBA have done they've
they've gone back to V4 um and then we need to understand and we need your confirmation on the certification lead certification goal beyond the MSBA lead silver. Um what we also want to clarify
is um would would it be a silver level and an an aspiration and sustainable design features included in the project without specifically getting the gold plaque or
the platinum plaque just getting the silver plaque or would we go for the gold or the full gold or platinum certification? The third uh element that we would like you to confirm or provide tonight is um
are there other sustainability goals to convey to the project team. So the the project is uh considering renewable energy at a PPA level at this point. Um are we looking for that uh solar PV and
renewable energy to be equivalent to the net zero energy? Um we are looking at all electric heating and cooling systems. Uh the heat heat pump technology. Um and then um the the
approach ver uh you know sort of a ground source versus air source. This is something that actually uh we're going to dive in more in schematic design and provide a life cycle cost analysis for. Um and then the reduced embodied carbon
with the use of mass timber. Um if the project goes to lead V5, we will have to include mass timber. If the project goes to lead V4 and we are seeking gold or platinum, then we will
also have to consider uh reduced embodied carbon. Um, so next, so those are the three things. Uh, Matt, do you want to cover that or I could go through it, but you're the one
who's closest to it in terms of having developed it and work with it with the estimators. >> Sure. And there's a lot of numbers here. Um, so I'll try to just simplify what we're looking at. Um it's essentially going through those three topics that
Martin just uh listed in terms of where we're looking for some guidance for for potentially um other sustainability focused areas. Um so there's a collection of these non-program cost alternates. We've talked a lot about the program cost alternates previously. Um
these do not uh they're not associated with particular programs in the building but rather u parts pieces functionality and these are all sustainability related in one shape or another. There's three groupings here. Um the first uh the PV1 2 and three non-program alternates are
different levels um of additional investment um related to photovoltaics. um the baseline assumptions and the baseline assumptions are listed down at the bottom in the notes. Um but for photovoltaics, we have a a solar ready
roof um that would have photov voltaic panels put onto it um through a power purchase agreement. Uh so there's no capital outlay by the city as part of the project to purchase those panels. Um but that also means that the city does not o own the panels and and the tax
credits, the green incentives that are associated with them. Um but it does get um solar on top of the roof um without any of these alternates being accounted for. The first alternate um actually says that the city would own purchase the panels um as part of the project um
for an estimated construction cost of $2.7 million and a total project cost of $3.3 million. Um the second um PV alternate um is associated with um providing
groundmounted canopy structures to essentially increase our PV capacity to a net zero level um so that we could generate the energy that we need to run the building on site. Um again the PV panels here neither on the roof nor on the ground mounted um canopies would be
purchased as part of that alternate that additional cost of um $23.6 $6 million construction cost and $28 million total project cost um would just be buying um those ground mounted canopy
structures. Again, PPA um provided for the panels um or panels provided via PPE. The PV3 option is sort of that's the all-in cost alternate option that purchases both the canopy structures at ground as well as the PV panels on those
canopies as well as the PV panels on the roof. Um so that will also provide a net zero energy building, but it means that the city owns um all the the tax credits associated with the panels, the the renewable credits um that are associated with the panels. Um so that's at a cost
of $48.6 $6 million estimated construction and 59.3 or 4 million um for total project cost. The next group of cost non-program cost alternates are all dealing with the HVAC
system and specifically the heating um and cooling portions of the HVAC system. Um, and for a baseline HVAC system, what we've accounted for as part of the project cost right now is a full geothermal system. Um, so probably the
the most costly system here, but also the most cost um effective from a life cycle standpoint over time um and the most um efficient um in terms of the lowest energy use um in terms of um just heating and cooling the building. Um so
all of the program um cost alternates uh for the HVAC system are all credits back. They're all potential reductions we can make in the total project cost by considering different modifications to the system. The HVAC1 system um changes
that um so geothermal is also known as ground source heat pump. So when you see GSHP that is a ground source heat pump system. Um we can change that to an air source heat pump system um which is an air to water type um of heat pump. Um
that's a saving a potential savings of $47.7 million um on the construction cost and $ 58.2 million on the total project cost. Um the second HVAC option that we have would be changing that ground source
heat pump um 100% to a hybrid um maybe I think it's probably 50% ground source heat pump at that point and then this air source um air to water type um heat pump system as well. Um that could be a savings of $25.3 million estimated
construction cost um total project cost of $30 million. And then that last HVAC option is changing the entirety of the geothermal system um to an air source heat pump or VRF system. Um so that has the potential
highest um initial cost savings of $57.5 million estimated construction cost and $70.2 million on total project cost. Again, when we would make that change, we're going to be shifting to one of still all electric systems. All these
are all electric systems. um but one of the the less uh efficient systems in the VRF system air-to-air sourcy pump. And then the last two um non-program cost alternates are dealing with uh a mass
timber frame um replacing a portion of the structural steel frame um with mass timber. Again, our baseline cost estimating assumes um a steel frame throughout the building. um that timber one um option um suggests that for our
new addition, right, our existing u building that we're renovating has a concrete and steel frame that would remain as is, but for the new addition, we were would replace 50% of the steel frame um and components with a mass timber versions of those same. Um that would come at an additional cost of
$14.6 million estimated construction cost and 17.8 total project cost. And then um timber two is um envisioning replacing 100% of that structural frame with mass timber um that structural
steel frame with mass timber at an estimated construction cost of $29.2 million or a total project cost of $35.7 million. Um and again there there's infinite number of options in between um the percentage of mass timber that we
could be using. Um and so we're just putting in these two data points so that we can understand the range of what it may um what may be involved from a cost standpoint. Now Matt, if I may just add that on the HVAC
123, um we as part of the MSBA life cycle cost analysis for schematic design, we are going to look at a full uh 50-y year or 75 year life cycle cost. I believe it's 75 years now, right?
Um and so that's going to look at because these systems obviously you can see how they save first cost but however you know airsource heat pumps are are slightly less efficient than ground
source heat pumps. So there's going to be uh utility costs that are going to differ throughout you know the life cycle of these uh of this equipment as well as maintenance cost. And so the comprehensive life cycle cost and
replacement cost. So the comprehensive life cycle cost will look at and compare those systems um on the basis of replacement, maintenance, um uh utility and uh first cost.
So the next steps here so we're looking for uh your confirmation on the lead version and the lead certification level and we are going to bring this and share this with the advisory committee t the
advisory team uh tomorrow there's a meeting with them tomorrow um and then the advisory team will provide recommendation to the SBC um on the solar PV, the the heating and
cooling systems and the mass timber as well from your recommendations tonight. >> Member Russell >> on the previous um page where we saw the numbers. So, this
doesn't tell us anything like the 59 million for PB3. That doesn't describe what our tax credits would be, how we may end up getting a higher number of percentages back from MSBA. And it also, I mean, I know that it does not include like the
life cycle costs, but none of those things are included in that number. >> Not yet. We will be doing this uh we look into this uh as the as part of the SDLCCA MSB the the PV will not impact the MSBA
reimbursement. >> Okay. >> They do not they do not support it though and that right Matt as part of the they do not include it when they look at your project cost. Am I right Matt? >> They I don't think they explic explicitly exclude it. Um but when we
start to get they cap their project cost per square foot on the building, right? And and we're already going to be at a point that exceeds whatever that square foot cost is um before we get to um funding the PV. So I think you could put a lot of other things into that same
category of they're not they're not funded or supported necessarily, but I don't think they're picking on the PV specifically. >> Thank you. My other question is around the HVAC. Um, so I mean I, you know, I have a airsource heat pump. It's an
enormous piece of equipment for my condo. Like how much room does airsource heat pumps take to cool a building of this size? >> So like, >> are they special equipment? I mean, I'm sure they're special, but I just can't
comprehend how they can they're just huge. >> These are going to be different than what you have on your condo. They're not uh the split systems that you have or the the small air source seat pump that you have. These are large uh roofed up,
you know, pieces of equipment um that that go on the roof and uh they do impact to some extent the roof area for solar PV. So as we move through schematic design um we're going to take
a look at as much as we can we're going to take a look at the impact uh of the different uh VRF in you know sort of in our experience VRF for example is going to probably you
use more roof area than the hybrid and the ground source seat pump. >> Thank you. And I think that's all. >> Thank you, members. So, member Parks,
>> thank you. Um, and thank you, Matt and Martin. Um, so I know that, um, this high school is going to stand for a really long time. And I know that we've talked about
these items a lot. Um, I'm part of the MEP and sustainability subcommittee. We've had a bunch of these discussions and um I think you know the choices we make now are going to shape our operating costs are kind of impact staff
and student health um and just pretty much our climate impact for decades to come. And so given that Medford's been an early leader um in the fight against climate change and to align this project with Medford's carbon neutrality
commitments um since I think it was in 2021 Medford committed to the global race to zero um which is basically pledging to cut out for those who don't know it's a pledge to cut greenhouse
gases half by 2030. 30 and to become carbon neutral by 2050. Um so that is something that the city of Medford has um committed to. Um I think that we you
know to align with that and to deliver long-term financial savings as well as a healthier learning environment. I have a motion I put together that I'd like to propose if that's okay. Um, it's kind of
lengthy. I can read it. I can also pop it up on the screen if that's allowed. I don't know. Um, but it basically says, um, the comprehensive Medford High School project shall achieve a minimum of lead
V4 silver certification to meet the MSBA requirements. However, the project shall prioritize building performance, occupant health, and life cycle cost over point accumulation. To that end, the project shall uh one
strive to achieve net zero energy as technically feasible um through integrated passive design strategies, all electric high efficiency systems and on-site renewable energy generation. uh specify red list free healthy
materials for all materials except MEP and fire protection to ensure indoor air quality for students and staff. Prioritize water efficiency and stewardship. Um reducing indoor portable water consumption by a
minimum of 35% which I think you had identified as a yes on our lead v4 scorecard. Correct me if I'm wrong though. Um, I don't want for water efficiency. I know that one is always a tricky one. Um, so I don't want to
commit us past what you did show as a yes on our scorecard because I'm sure >> I think we I think right now Yeah, I think right now we have 30%. Um, okay. And it part of it has to do with the genderneutral portion of of because the
what what gets us to 30 what used to get us close to 35 or at 35 >> were the urinals and so if you have less urinal >> then you end up >> oh yeah I I know the urinal game. I'm really sad to say that phrase, but yes. Um,
>> yes. So, so, so I would say um, you know, uh, 30 may be a more feasible goal, and we're going to strive for more, but, um, to get to 35, we'd have to start looking at, uh, rainwater
harvesting and other more costly systems. >> And, and we can talk about that maybe in the subcommittee. Um, I would want to try and push us towards limiting uh portable water for irrigation use if at all possible. Um, I know that we will
have fields which will have turf. So, that may be possible um given that we will not have to water them. I don't know, but it's something to look into. Um and then I um as number four, minimize the total cost of ownership um
by um designing operational systems controls and monitoring to substantially reduce energy, water, and maintenance costs over the life of the building. Um bottom line is I want the long-term cost of operating and maintaining the building to remain at the forefront of
every design decision though. Um, you know, this building is a large building. It has the potential to be expensive to operate. And, you know, I think with creative sustainable solutions, we can
make it so it is not expensive to operate. Um, if it is commissioned well from the start, um, the systems can operate well. Um, I know that hopefully Ken will be happy um, if it's
commissioned well from the start and um, that would be my proposal. I can pop this language into the chat maybe. Um, but that's what I would that would be my motion.
>> Thank you, Member Parks. Um, is there a second? Oh, member Rinfeld. The member Rouso, >> I had questions. Do we need to deal with the motion? >> There's no second. So, you could please ask the question. >> Okay. Um, so I was going to ask about
operating costs because I agree that is a priority, but I think that was covered in terms of we don't have this immediate um information. I heard from another Medford resident who is currently on vacation to ask about innovations
credit. Is there an innovation credit in lead v5 for responsive design? >> Um I believe I believe I I'd have to check the specific for responsive design but
there is um definitely uh similar credits in V4 and we usually fully optimize um the innovation credits in in in V4. Um >> okay. And so whichever whichever rating
we opt for that will be possible. >> Responsible design. >> Yeah. Um and then >> or equivalent depending >> equivalent right >> and there's a resilience component as well as I >> res we've pursued that yeah in before.
>> Okay. And then my other question was w of these possible courses of action which are there ones that align particularly well with the program formerly in place the any chips program because I know that got kind of absorbed
into that that's I don't know if it's fallen out of fa I'm not sure exactly what happened but I know that that was really specific to school buildings and we when we put out the RFP we made the particular recommendation that any chips
be prioritized along with V5 and so I'm curious how we maintain that commitment since it is a school focused >> design >> right right and lead be the lead we're talking about is lead for school and
it's specific for schools >> okay and so that's what any chips became >> pretty much what happened is there was a choice between uh it is since 2009. Um there are nuances but they're pretty
much the same. Um and chips now has been bought by USGBC. >> Um chip chips doesn't exist on its own anymore. Last year it got purchased by GBCI. Um, so that's that's where that stands
and and everything is pretty equivalent throughout the system >> because what I really want to make sure is that we're maximizing the inschool environment protections that that were in place there and I I see both you and member
parks nodding vigorously. And GBCI just to clarify is the overarching organization that is USGBC basically like they're the parent organization just as a clarification. >> They they basically oversee everything
to do with the certification process itself. USGBC develops lead and then GBCI oversees the certification. >> Okay. Thank you. That's helpful. I will just say before I remute myself that net
zero is probably my environmental priority on this. I'm not in the field but that is where I land for decision making. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you member Rinfeld. Let me just see who's next.
Member Russo and then member parks. Thank you. Um, one of the things about the water, um, I'm looking at the screen and not at the actual resolution. Sorry. Um, you know, I don't know what kind of water use is
going to be required, but you know, whatever we have for plantings that's going to require water is only going to require more water. Well, I mean, I don't know for sure forever. I don't know the I don't remember the exact uh predictions for what our water situation is going to
look like in this area um as the climate crisis intensifies. But I do want to make sure we we don't, you know, plant trees and flowers and some grass and then it's just all dead and or requires
our maintenance teams to go out there and hand water and like I know that isn't necessarily what anybody was going to do, but um we have very long stretches of not exactly plant friendly weather and it's going to get worse and
so I want to make sure that while we are being cautious about how much water we're using, I I want the building to also be inviting and to not, you know, right now you go there and there's a bunch of planters in the front which are all
falling up off the railing and I think I've seen them get fresh plants a couple times in my nine years, but you know, they can't get watered and they just die and that's that. Um, so I very much
interested in how we can collect rainwater and I don't know what the exp I know they've done that in Somerville and a couple of places you know but collecting the rain water reusing it I mean does it end up becoming so absurdly expensive that you might as well just turn on the tap I don't know but it's an
issue for me because I I just you know like everybody else here who has been driving up to that high school some of you for your whole careers looking at you Joan Um the the the fact that the building is structurally and architecturally not
inviting is one thing, but you know dust bowls of sand all over the place and you know that kind of stuff is also a big component of it. You can take a frankly a dreadful building and with enough proper landscaping you just can't wait
to get there. Um, so the the no water, portable water, I'm I'm fine as long as we actually have plans for an alternative to that. So, thank you. >> Very good point. Thank you. Um, we'll bring that back and um we'll be able to
present options um that responds to um to your point. Um and and there are strategies to address without the portable water. Um but to your point you know and and lead excludes the fields so
you you know depending on what you do at the field. So um so there's there's a lot more discussion but we we get the gist of your um preference here and your goal >> and we could I mean I'd be amendable to
say while striving to eliminate portable water Paul if you want. >> Yes. and and we could, you know, there is an option to do some irrigation as long as you have sensors and control and there's the whole 50% um
>> and and focusing on drought tolerance species and >> Right. Right. >> Thank you. Motion motion on the floor by >> quick question. We talked about mass timber and I've you know the
I only know a small amount about it but the things I've heard talk about kind of efficiencies and construction timeline. I've never been on a project that has worked with it really. Um but I've heard about efficiencies and timelines and
kind of better site conditions with less dust and debris. um just in kind of the papers that I've read about it. Um, is that actually true? And is that in a sense benefit given our site
constraints? And would it be that much of a savings in timeline that it would have a monetary flip um in terms of duration of project um and having kids on a site? Like would
it be that beneficial? Yeah, Matt Matt can speak to that, but we've we've addressed some of those, right, Matt? >> Yeah, Jessica, we we did look into it because I'm I'm very much of a like mind and I had heard the the claims as well, right, that when we can
combine the various efficiencies in terms of construction, in terms of lack of some finishes, um in terms of shortened time frame, um that we could sort of push it towards a costneutral decision. Um and after a lot of pushing um I I don't think that the industry is
there quite yet. I think our our sort of conservative assumption is that we might be able to save 2 to 3 months. Um maybe from each phase um but it that is not enough of a swing in terms of the savings on general conditions uh to push us towards that cost. It certainly
reduces the overall cost premium um but it it doesn't get it to the point where we should be making a decision on that. And I do think there is something in terms of a cleaner um sort of site environment as well, but it's tough to quantify that, right? Um and think about
sort of all the parts and pieces that tie into it. But we did do some a pretty deep dive into trying to validate it and see whether or not that there was that cost neutrality position. Um and I just don't think it's quite there yet. I still think there's there's a lot of value from um an embodied carbon
reduction standpoint in terms of what we're going to be building. Um but it's tough to make that decision solely on cost right now. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Motion. >> Thank you. Um, you know, one of the
things I I feel like we haven't spent much time on yet is um, you know, early on we're like we are concerned as a school committee that we're going to build this high school and the MSBA's estimates of how many students we have is going to be woefully inadequate and
that there'll be this barrage of new people who decide, oh, I'm not going to go to private school. I'm going to go to Medford High. Um and and I think you know we did beyond our due diligence to get our number up. Um but um
does does the use of mass timber versus whatever other materials we're using does does that have any impact on the ability to add to the building or is it totally irrelevant?
I again I don't think it's going to be a large um decision-making factor for us. Um because the steel frame that we're designing with would be designed to accommodate the additional loads. Um but that would be exactly the same scenario as if we were designing it with mass timber. We would give the structural
engineer some additional loads they have to account for in a section of the building because we are planning to go up um as part of our expansion strategy on an area of the there's six stories in the building. there's a section that stretches out um only to five stories. We would already have elevator access,
stair access up to that level, and it's really extending out that top level. Um but from a structural standpoint, I do believe we could do that with either um steel or with mass timber as a frame. >> Uh just a quick comment, uh Mrs. Parks,
your your motion uh includes lead V4 versus lead V5. >> Uh yes. Okay, thank you. That's because we're we're going to be looking to register the project um in the near
future and we are to the whole SD process has to be based on the version we're going to adopt. Um >> yes, I I don't think the extra cost associated with V5, nor do I think that
we need to be a guinea pig for V5. I always hate being a guinea pig for the lead process. So, um, let someone else figure out how to do it first to be quite honest and pay >> smaller project
>> on a smaller project, too. >> Exactly. Let someone else figure out all the nuances and pay the extra costs associated with that. I mean, it's the the bottom line is I think it's the performance and and what you're actually putting into the project. It's not the points. But that that's my own personal
feeling. Um, you know, others may disagree. >> Member Rel, >> may I also ask member Parks, why silver and not that stretched to gold? I this is also where I was leaning on the four
versus five, particularly the guinea pig, but I'm curious about silver versus gold because I think there's a there's there are some to be gained to to aspire to some of those point goals.
>> So I put it as a minimum of silver. My belief is we will actually fall solidly in gold. Um, but I did not want to sacrif um canopies than run around chasing
another point for something that wasn't as important to us getting to net zero. um say running around and getting a point to put in place monitoring
a point in the system that we didn't actually care about like a point monitoring a BMS point or something that we didn't care about. I'm blanking right now, but >> yeah, >> but there are a lot of credits that
may or may not um be com 100% important to our goals. And I think the biggest from my vantage point, and again this is just my vantage point, for
me getting to net zero was the most important goal. And so I would rather take the money that we have and put it towards that because I think that also generates the biggest bang for your buck from long-term operational savings. And so
>> what about reimburseability? >> Reimburseability. The two things are indoor air quality and energy. and indoor air quality is covered with basically the red list every >> and so that is my other big one which is
the red list free um which should be I think covered for that additional um reimbursement >> uh it's actually not specifically red list is it's a certain >> it's the number of points >> and those are mostly through getting
HPDS EPDS environmental and then the materials points and the VOC points And we can get those even if we haven't declared in advance we want go we we're going for gold even if we land in gold
>> right you you can pursue those even if your minimum is silver you can pursue those those they may contribute to get closer to gold you know um but you the idea is we pursue them because you want the reimbursement right
>> so would then if so I think I Red list free is from a health perspective I think where we would want to be getting those would get us the credits I think
>> necessary to get us that point but if I'm wrong Martin then let me know. Yeah, >> because then we should add on the additional any additional credits we may not have >> kind of captured. >> Yeah, I think I think in in all you need
to say there is you want the additional 1% for healthy materials and then we will associate the lead points for that. The red list would be an addition to that. The red list can be an innovation
point in lead. Um, and they do have uh >> a health impact. I mean, we're we're applying them uh there's there's a set of red list uh materials that we're able to apply on our other school projects.
Um there are there's a set that has three equals. So, the ones with three equals don't really bring in additional cost, right? And we can explore beyond that. Um, and we've, you know, we've applied it to
other types of building types as well. We, we've done the red list, but the the red list materials in themselves will not obtain the 1%. >> They won't. Okay. I thought I had gone through and saw that they did. Okay. Then we then we
can Thank you, Member Ryanfeld. We should then capture that. That's a very good catch. Are you going to tell me what it is I'm writing? >> Um here. Um under
item two. >> Yeah. Teen, do you think you could um what should it >> Martine Do you want to language
>> for um modifying number two? Um basically saying that um prioritizing points that will allow the project to capture the additional 1% reimbursement. >> Right. re prioritizing
uh lead healthy materials points um to uh optimize or to obtain the additional 1% MSBA reimbursement. >> You catch that, huh? >> I did. Perfect.
Both are accurate and Paul also >> naive question if we achieve gold through this process can we be reertified as gold or it's silver and >> oh no no no this >> no you get whatever level you achieve
based on >> okay so it is it is got it so we were that's just we're setting this as the minimum but if we if we do achieve that we would okay I wasn't sure when that declaration commissioning
>> process works but I don't you can you can brief me offline on the details of that project I will >> would be happy to follow up with the process >> thank you >> it goes through design construction and you only get the certification way at the end after the project's completely
completed >> okay that was that's what I thought but then I knew we had to declare something now >> we need to register and when You register, you register under um under that's the most important the version
and then you just you know you just design and target your points and your credits uh and we can target you know per what you were talking about tonight and that may lead to gold. >> Okay. >> But our but our goal but our goal here
is clear the minimum is silver. Right. And then we're making decisions based on our energy goals, our prioritizing reimbursement and not adding lifetime project costs and I hope keeping any
cost fluctuations minimal from what we've currently got. That sounds good to me. Take the role, mayor. >> Yes, please. Um, motion by member parks,
seconded by >> second. >> Yep. Roll call. >> Member Maboni. >> Yes. >> Member Olady. >> Yes. >> Member Parks. >> Yes. >> Member Rinfeld. >> Yes.
>> Member Rousell. Yes. Mayor Lgo. >> I'm gonna abstain. Five in the affirmative, one in the abstaining. Motion passes. Thank you for the presentation. >> I think we're on to member Russo's um resolution 2026-06.
>> Yes. Um so, mayor, I had only sent this to the school committee this evening, so I don't know. I think people should have a chance to review the final document. So I'm going to make a motion to uh move to our August meeting and hopefully
people will come in having read it. >> Second. >> Okay. Okay. Motion to move the 2026-06 motion to table the 2026-06 to the August meeting. Motion by member Russo, seconded by member Rinfeld. Roll
call, please. >> Member Master. Yes, please. >> Member Oliv. >> Yes. >> Member Parks. >> Yes. >> Member Rinfeld. >> Yes.
>> Member Rouso. Yes. Mayor Lgo. >> Yes. Six in the affirmative, zero, one absent. This motion is tabled. 2026-17 offered by member Rinfeld. Whereas K through8 statewide graduation council was established following voters
November 2024 passage of ballot question 2 eliminating the use of MCCAST as a graduation requirement. Whereas the council released its final report in June 2026. Whereas the report includes updated recommendations for graduation framework that students support college, career and civic readiness through core
and embedded components and an implementation timeline beginning in 2026 2027 school year. Now there be therefore be it resolved that the curriculum and instruction subcommittee shall meet with the assistant superintendent for academic and instruction no later than October 15th
to review Medford public schools alignment with the K through2 statewide graduation council's recommendation member you move an approval >> I can move to approve happy to answer questions about this
seconded by >> second. >> Member Parks. Roll call, please. >> Since 2026, number 17. Sorry, let me just fix my notes. >> Yep. Number 17.
>> Thank you. >> Member Maserone. >> Yes. >> Member Alai. Yes, >> member Parks. >> Yes, >> member Rinfeld. >> Yes,
>> member. Yes. Mayor Linder. >> Yes. Six in the affirmative, one absent. Motion passes. Offered by member Graham, 2026-18. A resolution thanking the Medford state delegation for securing investments in public uh Medford public schools through the supplemental budget and fiscal year
27 state budget. Whereas the Memphis School Committee recognizes the critical importance of strong partnerships among local, state, and federal leaders in supporting highquality public education. And whereas the Commonwealth of Massachusetts continues to face significant challenges related to school funding, special education costs,
transportation expenses, facility needs, and educational equity. Whereas the Medford state 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 supplemental and state 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. Whereas the school committee wishes to formally recognize the efforts of Representative Paul
Donado, Representative Christine Barber and Representative Sha Garley and Senator Patricia Jalen uh on their leadership and advocacy on behalf of Memphis students. Now therefore be resolved of the Medford school by school committee hereby extend the 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 in the fiscal year 27 state budget and be it further resolved that the school committee acknowledges the following appropriations secured on
behalf of the Medford public schools in the supplemental budget. 40,000 for Medford High School theater lighting system. 50,000 for McGlin auditorium seating repairs and maintenance, 180,000 for interactive whiteboards, 12,000 for pottery wheels, 100,000 for McGlin
auditorium's rug maintenance, and in the fiscal year 27 state budget, 100,000 for programming at the Medford Family Network, 50,000 for CTE transportation, and 100,000 for expanded robotics curricula. Be it further resolved, the Memphis School Committee expresses its
appreciation for the delegation's continued commitment to supporting educational opportunities for all students and looks forwards to my dog was even excited about this. Um, for all students and looks forwards to continuing collabor collaboration in advancing the mission of the Medford
Public Schools. Um, I'm sure one of my colleagues will move approval of this on behalf of member Graham. Move motion to approve >> by member. Seconded by member Master Bony. Roll call, please.
>> Member Master Bony. >> Yes. >> Member Olady. >> Yes. >> Member Parks. >> Yes. >> Member Rinfeld. >> Yes. >> Member Rouso. Yes. Mayor Lgo. >> Yes. Six in the affirmative. One absent.
Motion passes. 2026-9. Offered by member Rinfeld. Member Rouso. Member Olard. standing with MPS students, families, and staff affected by TPS terminations. Whereas the Supreme Court's June 25th, 2026 ruling in Milin at Burst Doe held
that federal courts may now review non-constitutional challenges to the termination of a country's temporary protective status designation and reverse 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 flyer veto 4757US 2021 1982 that all children residing in the 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 Public 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 ensure that all staff have the necessary training to uphold policies immigration enforcement AC non-discrimination including harassment and retaliation which collectively affirm and support the district's commitment to providing a
discriminationfree public education to all children whose principal doicile is in Medford regardless of child or family immigration status. ensure that students 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. remain in regular contact with the Medford Connects community engagement team to ensure coordination between families and schools sharing of of available
um my page eight is not coming up for me. I'm sorry. >> Number it's page seven I think although I don't know which version you have mayor. >> Okay. >> It's number want me to keep reading >> if you don't mind. I don't have it. The rest is same. Mike, >> sure. Sure.
>> The file. >> That's fine. Uh, 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 authorizations within MPS. Four, 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 five, ensure that school and classroom libraries and curricula include stories. Can I make that a little bigger here? um stories and depictions of immigrant
experiences from multiple times and places connected to Memphis'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 Memphis or the United States. And be it
further resolved that the following statement of support for Senate Bill 48 4814 be transmitted to United States Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Marky. The member school committee thanks Senator Marky for introducing
S4814 and Senator Warren for co-sponsoring 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 to a country the State Department
designates level four do not travel where armed groups control much of the capital 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 be fel that will not just be felt today, but will become a stain on the dream so many come to associate with our nation. The House of Representatives
has already acted passing companion legislation HR1689 on April 16th, 2026 by a bipartisan vote of 224 to 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 Memphis School Committee. And be it further resolved that the following statement of appreciation be sent to United States Representatives Katherine Clark and Ayanna Presley.
The Memphis School Committee thanks you for your leadership in securing House passage of HR1689, a bill to require the S Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protective protected status. Representative Presley's discharge
position and Representative Clark's advocacy on the floor delivered a bipartisan 224 to 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 Marky
urging swift passage of S4814. Thank you for your service and please let let us know how we can assist respectfully the Meford School Committee. >> There a motion on the floor like anybody like to speak on this member. Yeah, I just I wanted to amend if my co-sponsors
are amendable in between items two and three um to make reasonable efforts to ensure that all MPS students have emergency contacts on file. This is a really important piece of being able to get information and respond to emerging
crisis. Uh, and then I also noticed that uh, director McNiff is on the call and invite her to say anything if she wanted to weigh in. I'm not sure if she does, but just before we get to that, I just want to between number two and three.
>> I put it in the chat. >> Oh, thank you. That's even better. >> Thank you again. Happy to answer. Oh, thank you. I was just going to say thank you for adding that um about emergency contacts. That's really crucial for us. So I appreciate that addition to this. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Chelsea. Um so that's a motion for approval as amended by member Rinfeld. Is there a second? >> Before you vote, could I just say one quick thing? >> Yes, Dr. Lucy. >> I do want to say first and foremost, we definitely appreciate this resolution. A lot of this work has been ongoing um as
we have definitely had regular internal meetings as a team um to make sure that our information is current and built out on the website um to work with our uh local um emergency response but also
partners at city hall. Chelsea has been she's on the call. I know she also has double duty sometimes with her little one at home, but um she can speak further to this, but she's been working very closely with the Medford Connects team um specifically Katherine Dingra um
and Patrick. Oh, I've done it again. >> Thank you. And so there already is a scheduled staff information session which we will be communicating out but um for September so that directly with the connects team so that
way we can put the connects team and make that connection with staff and the team um and do do so virtually um so there isn't an accessibility issue after school uh and staff can hop on and and meet the team get some information find
out support and be able to have uh that information and support at the ready so that they can really uh make sure they're continuing to build their um classroom environments of uh belonging and cohesion. So, I just
wanted to make sure that that was um stated so that people know that we are very committed to this work. Um, but the resolution is much appreciated and absolutely will update this committee um, as the work evolves.
>> And I will recognize that this resolution was made with the knowledge that the district is doing this work and is doing it well and we appreciate that and we wanted to publicly state that this is a a unified effort. So, thank you to everyone who's been working on
this. >> Thank you. Yes, we were on on a meeting today um with Katherine and Patrick and Chelsea. So, city and school are working hard on something very unfortunate. Um motion was approved as amended, seconded by
member Rouso. Roll call, please. >> Member Master Bonnie, >> yes. >> Member Olady, >> yes. >> Member Parks, >> yes. >> Member Vinfeld, >> yes. >> Member so yes. Mayor Langren, >> yes. Seven is six in the affirmative,
one absent, emotions approved. Member Brusso, if you could just let me know if there's anything else on the agenda. >> Oh, yes. Um, the next regular meeting, uh, there are no reports requested. The next regular meeting of the Memphis School Committee is August 24th at 5:00 p.m. virtual
only. And the following meeting will be in person on September 14th at the Alden Memorial Chambers at 6:30 PM. And that is all we have. >> Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> I see a hand up.
>> Remember, >> I have one question. Did we need to make a motion for a facilities subcommittee to talk about the sprawl of stuff at the minn? I thought I heard someone say that. Maybe I need I didn't say it. I said I
said I would willing to make a motion if we need it. >> Otherwise, >> you just call a meeting. >> If we moved on, then that's cool. >> I mean, our rules say I guess Yes. Our rules say that we that the subcommittees meet at the direction of the school committee. So, I motion that the
facility subcommittee meet to discuss um rental storage in school buildings. >> Okay. Seconded by member parks. Roll call, please. my toes. People should have just let me make the mo the motion when I first said I would.
>> The motion is that the facilities subcommittee will meet to discuss the um storage situation at the McGlin. >> Member Master. >> Yes. Member Leat,
>> yes. >> Member Parks, >> yes. >> Member Ranfeld, >> yes. >> Member Versa, yes. Mayor Lind, >> yes. Six in the affirmative, one absent. Paper passes. Motion to adjourn by >> me.
>> Member Rinfeld. Seconded by >> me. >> Member Parks. I think that was you. Um, roll call, please. >> Me, me tonight. Um, member Master Bony. Yes, >> member Olave. >> Yes,
>> member Parks. >> Yes, >> member Rinfeld. >> Yes, >> member. Yes, Mayor Langokarn. >> Yes. Six in the affirmative, one absent. Meetings adjourned. Have a wonderful rest of the week, everybody.