During the meeting, the interim superintendent disclosed that her spouse is a physical education teacher at Medford High School, creating a potential conflict of interest in the ongoing teacher contract negotiations. The committee discussed the implications of this situation, with some members expressing concerns about how the conflict of interest laws might apply. It was clarified that the superintendent, though involved in negotiations, does not have voting authority over the contract, which differentiates her situation from that of voting members who have conflicts.

Committee members emphasized the importance of the superintendent’s role in negotiations, noting that excluding her from the process would be detrimental to discussions with the district’s largest labor union. The committee was guided by legal advice indicating that the conflict of interest laws permit participation when necessary for government function, provided that the interest is not substantial enough to compromise service integrity.