School Committee of the Whole - Special Meeting 06/03/25

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[0:00] Without further ado, we'll get on to the main session agenda here. The athletic director update, Dr. Glusey.
[0:11] Yes, thank you very much. I'm actually, so we have some updates on some search committees that we have been conducting through the district.
[0:19] I will briefly be giving an update around the search committee for the assistance superintendent for academics and instruction as well as the director of English learners.
[0:30] I'm going to kick it to Dr. Cushing to give us an update on the posting and the search process for a new athletic director for method public schools.
[0:42] Thank you, Dr. Galucy. Thank you members of the school committee. So with, you know, great sadness, Bobby Maloney has announced his retirement after many years as the well respected athletic director for the met public schools and throughout the GBL, that leaves us with a tremendous opportunity to find the next leader for this department.
[1:04] And what we did was about two weeks ago, we posted, we've already received dozens of applications.
[1:14] So we will keep that open for probably another week or so and continue our recruitment.
[1:20] We have emailed out to the district through the Friday memo and other individual messaging for us to have members of the community members of the staff
[1:33] participate in the search process. We actually notified them this evening, and we'll be
[1:41] waiting their response to see if they can participate. This week, we will have an informational meeting for the team to really go over
[1:51] the
[1:52] expectations
[1:53] related to review of documents,
[1:56] confidentiality,
[1:57] and what they should bring to the table in looking for the next athletic director.
[2:02] In the survey out to the community, we've also looked for what they are, what the community is looking for.
[2:08] And we will review that with the community with the committee this Thursday.
[2:14] So the week of May 19th.
[2:17] Sorry, that's back looking forward.
[2:19] So this week we'll have the selection of the search committee, which I just talked about,
[2:23] our announcement once we're confirmed and an initial meeting of the search committee is this Thursday at 7 p.m.
[2:30] Then next week, we will do review of applications with a meeting on June 12th at 6 p.m. in person for members of the committee.
[2:39] We will create interview questions and schedule interviews.
[2:43] And then we will give approximately a week and a half to two weeks with the week of June 24th being round one interviews with the committee.
[2:52] And then we hope to make sure that we have round two interviews and notify people of their next round candidacy by June 30th.
[3:03] Mr. Maloney's retirement will happen in early September.
[3:08] So we hope to onboard this new athletic director in early August and bring them on board so that they can understand and learn the ropes with Mr. Maloney still in place.
[3:20] and to assist with that transition.
[3:23] And we hope to announce the new athletic director
[3:25] at a point in mid July, honor about July 14th.
[3:34] If any members of the committee have any questions,
[3:37] I'd be happy to answer them to the best of my ability.
[3:40] Thank you, Dr. Kushing.
[3:42] There are any questions from the committee.
[3:47] Any questions from members of the public?
[3:57] Okay, seeing none.
[3:59] Thank you. We will move on to item B, which is an update to the facilities, non-unit positions.
[4:08] Thank you very much. So what I would like to just spend some time outlining for you this evening is twofold.
[4:17] So the first part is in doing a little bit of research around some of our neighboring districts and in looking at like the scope of work that is happening as well as the work that we have coming up.
[4:35] A lot of work to our existing buildings and the work through the MSBA on the high school.
[4:41] I would like to reflect a small change in title right now on our website and in name we refer to buildings and grounds as in company encompassing all of this work and I would just like to make a small change in referring to the department as the facilities department.
[5:04] both in just a formal manner. I think that changing it more accurately encompasses the work
[5:11] that's happening at the physical level of the buildings, but also the infrastructure that is needed
[5:17] to support like the overall functioning of our schools. That's first and foremost also in it would
[5:25] also align us to our neighboring districts. So I think buildings and grounds is a little bit of an outdated
[5:32] term, and you don't see it reflected. So right now, districts like Arlington Cambridge,
[5:38] some of all ever at Lynn and Wakefields refer to this as the Facilities Department and some
[5:46] of our other neighboring districts like Maldon, Winchester, Riviera, and Melrose actually
[5:51] it's part of the Department of Public Works. So I think just making that change in title
[5:56] will be reflective of the work that we're doing and aspire to do.
[6:04] I mean, in that previously,
[6:09] this board approved a job description for the Facilities Director, as well as a job description for the Assistant Facilities Director.
[6:21] I am here because I would like to propose a change in what was previously approved and do
[6:30] something a little different with that assistant facilities director position.
[6:37] So Dr. Cushing has been well-documented at many of these meetings, has done a lot of work to begin
[6:47] a lot of projects, not only on our buildings, but well, the infrastructure and the grounds
[6:58] as well. These projects, there's many projects that are ongoing, just first and foremost,
[7:04] as an example, is the HVAC one that is ongoing, what's happening in the summer, and then
[7:09] there are other capital projects that are about to begin this summer, specifically like around
[7:16] the the the fobs in the security systems. So what I think would be very important with doctor
[7:24] cushions resignation and headed as a superintendent for Beverly Public School.
[7:30] Schools is instead to have a project manager position and someone that would be a key person working under the supervision of the chief operation officer, but really just keeping an eye on all the projects that we have ongoing and ones that we have slated to begin and ones that we haven't really even envisioned yet.
[7:57] This, in my opinion, would be someone that would take on compliance of the timeline in the budget
[8:04] and report it directly to the chief operation officer, also in partnership with myself in the finance office.
[8:15] And I'm happy to talk in more specifics or detail or answer any questions that you may have.
[8:23] I do have, in the paperwork, that I've given you just a reflection of how this would look in the
[8:31] organizational charges so that you could see that this position would be under the COO and as well as a proposed job description.
[8:43] For the position, I think I've spoken a little bit about some of the key responsibilities.
[8:50] these, we are looking for this job to preferably be someone that obtains a that has a
[9:01] bachelor's degree in project management, construction management, engineering, or facilities
[9:06] management with proven experience. Someone that has the knowledge and the skills in building
[9:13] systems in HVAC systems.
[9:18] And we have a range set for this. This would be a full-time position
[9:23] at 260 days with a pay range anywhere from $80,000 to $110,000.
[9:36] And it goes to thank you for that. Are there questions from the committee about either the
[9:43] org or the job descriptions that were attached for the project manager of the COO or the
[9:51] facilities job at the facilities director.
[9:56] I'm Dr. Gozzi, did you say 260 days?
[9:59] Yes, thank you.
[10:06] I'm seeing no questions from the committee.
[10:08] Are there questions from the public?
[10:22] Seeing no questions, is there a motion to approve the proposal and related job descriptions?
[10:31] five
[10:36] member in top up. Seconded by.
[10:46] Second member or so. Any other last questions before we call the role?
[10:57] Member Reinfeld, could you call the role for us? Yes. Member Brandley. Yes. Member Graham. Yes. Member in top up? Yes. Member Ollapade.
[11:13] Member Reinfeld. Yes. Member Rousseau.
[11:16] Yes.
[11:17] Member Lungo, or Mayor Lungo Kern, absent.
[11:21] Member Lungo.
[11:22] Member Lungo.
[11:23] Member Lungo.
[11:26] Okay.
[11:27] Okay.
[11:28] Five in the affirmative.
[11:29] Zero in the negative.
[11:30] Two absent.
[11:31] Motion is approved.
[11:34] Thank you.
[11:36] Moving right along.
[11:38] We have a recommendation to approve.
[11:40] The appointment of an assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
[11:43] Dr. Guise.
[11:45] Yes.
[11:45] Thank you very much. We're very excited about this this evening bringing this to you this evening.
[11:54] So we have previously we informed the community about the search process for this very important
[12:01] position, which is a K to 12 position for the district overseeing curriculum and instruction for the
[12:13] 50 applicants. And we had a wonderful search committee. Remember, Ryan Feld was part of that search committee,
[12:21] Joan Bowen, and I facilitated this search committee. It was comprised of caregivers, teachers, administrators and it was a wonderful
[12:36] representation of the district. So we had a lot to that out. We brought in nine out of the
[12:46] 50 applicants for an interview. And of that nine I will say one candidate was unanimous
[12:55] in all phases of this search process. First and foremost with the search committee and then
[13:01] on to phase two, which brought the candidate up to central administration where principles
[13:08] and directors were part of the interview process as well as a performance task.
[13:15] One candidate was unanimous in every interview panel and there was one candidate in the performance
[13:21] task that really met the rubric criteria quite well. References were impeccable. This
[13:33] candidate is Dr. Kimberly Lawless Talbot. She is the director of teaching in learning
[13:40] for the Salem Public Schools. She is doing the job currently. Previous to that, she was a
[13:47] director of teacher and learning, a teacher development under a professional development realm.
[13:54] She is an educator.
[13:56] She was a world language educator, she was a world language director, she is an adjunct
[14:02] professor at Salem State.
[14:04] She comes with a great skill set, and a great level of expertise, a lot of her references
[14:11] spoke about her systems level thinking, which was music to my ears, because it would be very beneficial
[14:19] for metropovic schools and we're really excited for this partnership. I think she also has a
[14:27] wonderful way about her and she would just be a tremendous asset to our team. And so I am here
[14:34] because I would like your approval so that we are able to officially bring Dr. Talbot
[14:42] and as a Mustang. And I do would like to welcome member Ryan Feld and Joan Bowen for any key pieces that I may have missed. I also see, at least on the Zoom, I'm sure many people are probably joining via you.
[15:00] So see, Jessica Parks, who was one of the caregivers on our team as well, if anybody wants to speak about the process or the candidate.
[15:09] Remember right now?
[15:11] Yep, I will just say I am incredibly excited about this candidate.
[15:16] Her Dr. Scalousey said most of it, but she is incredibly competent and her values are rock solid and well aligned with Medford's instructional vision strategic plan.
[15:29] values community-based approaches. So I am very excited to motion that the to motion that we
[15:38] approve the offer to Dr. Kimberly Wallace Talbot for the position of assistant superintendent
[15:44] for academic instruction. There's a motion to approve by member Ryan Feld. Is there a second?
[15:51] Second. Seconded by member Brandley. Is there any other members of the public that would like to
[15:58] Have a grand. Yes. Members don't. Just want to make sure that the motion is to a point.
[16:05] To a point. Sorry. Thank you.
[16:12] Hey, hearing and seeing no other questions.
[16:14] I remember right, I'll keep all the roll.
[16:16] Yes, remember, Brannley. Yes.
[16:18] Remember, Graham. Yes.
[16:20] Member and Tappa. Yes.
[16:23] Member Olapade.
[16:27] Member Rainfeld. Yes. Member Russo. Yes.
[16:31] Member Mayor Lungo Kern absent.
[16:34] So, six in the affirmative is that member of Lepaday was absent and five in the affirmative.
[16:43] Zero in the negative, two absent motion passes.
[16:49] And her last name is Talbot.
[16:53] Thank you.
[16:55] Ms. Talbot is here.
[17:00] I promise I'm not dying in my chair.
[17:03] here. My allergies are just like viciously attacking me while we're meeting. So, sorry to
[17:10] cough in your face. The last thing on our agenda is a recommendation to point to approve the
[17:17] appointment of the Director of English Learners, Dr. Busy. Okay, so we've been very busy. So when
[17:27] And Ms. Bowen and I, in partnership with Member Ryan Feld, were leading this search committee
[17:36] for the Assistant Superintendent, outgoing director of the English Learner Department,
[17:42] Paul Teccerra, who will be the next superintendent in Provincetown.
[17:47] In partnership with Principal Nancy Sherman Hudson of the Missituck, led a search committee
[17:54] for his replacement for the director of the EL department.
[18:00] They went through the same similar process,
[18:03] and also member Alapade was the school committee rep on that committee.
[18:12] They went through the same process,
[18:14] and through their initial search round one,
[18:18] with the search committee brought up to central,
[18:21] Um, a few candidates for us to review and one candidate definitely throughout the search process.
[18:29] Um, kind of rose to the top.
[18:33] Um, she is currently doing a position quite similar for Everett Public Schools.
[18:40] Um, she is very aligned with Medford Public Schools core values and instructional vision.
[18:47] and she brought with her a great willingness to learn and grow, and she had some great visionary ideas for the program that would be very helpful for us.
[19:01] So her name is Chelsea McNiff, and we are here to do the same thing and ask for approval appointment for Chelsea McNiff to be the next EL director for Medford Public Schools.
[19:15] Joan was with me in round two of her interview process, and I don't know if member Aleppadi wants to say a few words, but he was in integral part in the first round of the interview process.
[19:35] Are there any questions or comments from the committee?
[19:45] Okay.
[19:46] Hearing and seeing none is there a motion to approve the appointment of the director of any questions or comments from the public.
[19:54] Are there any questions or comments from the public?
[20:03] Seeing none.
[20:06] In addition to a proof, the appointment of the director.
[20:11] Bye.
[20:12] Member Brandly.
[20:14] Seconded by.
[20:19] Member Rousseau.
[20:21] Member Reinfeld, we call the role.
[20:23] Member Brandly.
[20:24] Yes.
[20:25] Member Graham.
[20:26] Yes.
[20:27] Member in Toppa.
[20:28] Yes.
[20:29] Member Olapadi.
[20:33] Member Reinfeld.
[20:33] Yes, member Russo. Yes. Mayor Lungo Kern absent. So five in the affirmative zero in the negative two absent. Another Mustang joins our ranks.
[20:47] Welcome to this. And I think for those of you that are watching we do plan to introduce them personally and a meeting later this month, we just urgently needed to make their appointments so that they could.
[21:03] provide proper notice to their district and we could move through the contracting process.
[21:09] The last update for everybody before we adjourn, I know it's actually turned out to be a rather
[21:15] long meeting. Is that I am happy to report that we have voted
[21:24] you, Nat, well, we have voted in a vote of six in the affirmative one, absent to ratify the
[21:31] contract with Medford's Administrator's Union, so that's Teamster's Local 25, so that's our
[21:36] system principles, our directors,
[21:40] our special headquarters and others who make up that unit,
[21:45] and we have been hard at work negotiating with since the beginning of the year, and we are thrilled
[21:50] to announce that they have ratified the contract, and now we have as well. So that is the only
[21:58] update for all of you out of the executive session. And with that is there a motion to approve.
[22:07] Uh, adjourn.
[22:08] Motion to adjourn.
[22:10] Thank you.
[22:10] I'm not approving anything else. We're joining.
[22:13] We've done everything we can do tonight.
[22:15] I have a lot of water. I'm going to die if I don't get more.
[22:19] If I remember, Bradley, seconded by.
[22:22] Thank you.
[22:23] Thank you.
[22:27] Number Graham
[22:30] Yes, members of a, yes, member olapade, abstinence already adjourned, member rainfall, yes,
[23:01] member
[23:01] back in. He did beat him on mute. So, um, oh, that's okay. He's a registered
[23:08] yes for adjournment and, um, one absent. So, six in the affirmative, one absent meeting is adjourned.
[23:14] Thank you, everyone. Thank you guys. Thank you, good night.