How Medford Closed Its $3.5M School Budget Gap

MEDFORD, MA — Medford's Fiscal Year 2021 budget appropriates $61,250,000 to the Medford Public Schools, the same amount allotted to the district the previous fiscal year. Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said initial budget talks indicated the district would be able to increase funding by as much as 2.8-3 percent, but the COVID-19 crisis forced a level-funded budget.

In a budget memo submitted in late June, the School Committee said due to contractual costs going up by an estimated $2.5 million and a $1 million reduction in revolving funds, the Medford Public Schools are facing a $3.5 million cut.

Superintendent Marice Edouard-Vincent developed a plan to close the gap while "attempting to keep the impact as far away from the classroom as is possible," the Committee said. Due to cuts, some administrative staff might have to assume additional responsibilities.

The School Committee implemented the following to make up for the cuts:

1. Offered a small early retirement incentive to all unions. Not all unions elected to participate and participation was limited.

• 2. Eliminated the following positions:
• 12 classroom positions due to limited enrollment
• 9 Tier 2 interventionists
• 2 elementary level math coaches
• 3 Italian teachers at the elementary school level (partially grant funded in FY20, no grant funding available going forward)
• 4 secretarial positions
• 1 paraprofessional position
• Elimination of the Educational Team Leader position for Early Education Referrals

3. Restructured the following leadership positions:

• Elimination of the Paraprofessional Coordinator Role
• Elimination of an Assistant Principal at Medford High School
• Elimination of the Fine Arts Director Position (duties assumed by the Director of Curriculum & Instruction)
• Combining the Guidance Director and the Supervisor of Clinical/Behavioral into a Director of Counseling Services

4. Reduced non-personnel budget through reductions, supplies and contracted services.

The Committee said retirements – with replacements – saved $330,000, or 10 percent of the $3.5 million cut; reducing supply and non-staff saved $800,000, or 22 percent; restructuring leadership positions saved $950,000, or 27 percent; and reducing positions saved $1,420,000, or 41 percent.