The proposal for a new high school took center stage, with members expressing a strong commitment to the project. A comprehensive planning process was outlined to include all programming on the high school campus, considering the placement of another school on the premises. The committee deliberated on the benefits of potentially collocating the special education and Behavioral Health program, Curtis TS, onto the high school campus, and the urgency to gather input and feedback on this topic was highlighted, with a tight deadline set to make a recommendation by mid-June.

Moreover, the committee acknowledged the overcrowding in elementary schools and the need for additional Early Education programs. The return of the Meep program to the campus was also considered. The chair of the building committee stressed the ongoing work on the educational profile and the importance of a robust communication strategy. A chapter 74 viability document for the vocational school was mentioned, alongside discussions with the city planning department for an enrollment study. Completion of maintenance documents and identification of funding for the feasibility study by January were also marked as crucial steps.

Community engagement was deemed essential, leading to the proposal to establish subcommittees for communication, rules and onboarding, and finance. These subcommittees were tasked with delivering specific outcomes by the next meeting on May 13th. The committee also sought volunteers for these subcommittees, emphasizing the need for expertise and passion in their respective areas.

In the context of open meeting law compliance, the committee received extensive training from Janelle, a representative from the City of Medford. The training covered multiple aspects, including the importance of detailed meeting notices, the avoidance of electronic communication for official business, and the recording of meetings. Janelle stressed the need for transparency in the committee’s operations and provided practical tips on avoiding violations, such as posting joint meetings with other public bodies and refraining from discussing municipal business at social events.

The authority of the chair to manage public comment periods was discussed, with an emphasis on discretion while upholding constitutional speech protections. The preparation and approval of meeting minutes were also addressed, highlighting the necessity for an overview of discussions and referencing documents used during meetings. It was noted that even draft minutes are public records and subject to disclosure, emphasizing the need for timely approval.

Regarding the logistics of remote and hybrid meetings, guidance was provided to ensure public access and compliance with open meeting laws. The committee also discussed the assignment of members to various subcommittees, with a focus on aligning individuals with their areas of expertise and passion. The Communications subcommittee was a point of emphasis, with discussions on developing a centralized website for publicly accessible documents and meeting minutes, and the importance of using official email addresses for school-related communication.