Rally Against Medford Teacher Cuts Scheduled For Wednesday

MEDFORD, MA — A car parade and rally for teachers in light of last week's layoffs is scheduled for Wednesday, June 24. The rally will run from 3:30-5:30 p.m., starting at Medford High School and ending at Hormel Stadium. Staging will begin at 2:30 p.m.

Attendees are asked to wear red in support of the more than 100 public school employees who were issued pink slips June 15. The Medford Teachers Association slammed the layoffs, saying entire academic and vocational programs are now without staff.

"Our youth deserves so much more at this time," Charlene Douglas, president of the Medford Teachers Association, said.

Facing a $3.5 million budget cut, the district let go of all teachers in their first three years, but School Committee member Jenny Graham anticipates the actual number of layoffs will be much lower.

Cuts include the elimination of four administrators, six non-union staff, four secretaries, 25 teachers, one paraprofessional and seven retirement positions. While 25 teachers will truly be let go, Graham said 86 will likely return to the Medford Public Schools.

See Also: 111 Medford Teachers Let Go, But Many Could Return