Both Sides Praised As Medford Schools, Union Approve Agreement

MEDFORD, MA — The Medford School Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved the Memorandum of Agreement with the teachers' union for the remainder of the school year. The memorandum governs working conditions for the 2020-21 school year and is the culmination of tentative agreements that began over the summer, resulting in the gradual bringing back of students last fall.

The memorandum includes heightened air quality standards – classrooms will be closed if they do not have a clean air change rate of 4.0 per hour – mandatory COVID-19 testing, which was implemented the week before teachers returned to school in the fall, and measures to prevent the loss of engagement among remote students.

Specifically, between February and June, teachers will conduct parent information sessions over Zoom to check in on the current and upcoming school years. Teachers will also keep lists of remote students whose participation appears to be lacking and discuss a plan with administrators for improving their engagement.

Both the district and the union, the Medford Teachers Association, praised the memorandum.

"Every MOA is either a step backwards or step forward with regard to the relationship with our partners," David Murphy, assistant superintendent for Finance and Operations for the Medford Public Schools, said. "I think in this instance where we've ultimately landed is a step forward."

The School Committee thanked the teachers for their work in bringing back all grades by this point in the school year. Charlene Douglas, president of the Medford Teachers Association, called the memorandum "fair and equitable."

"Our membership is very pleased," Douglas said.

See the memorandum's full scope below: