[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6108985,"mediaKeyId","2765055-70427eb12116faff33baec6b38ab2b4e","parentId",2765055,"title","Resident and volunteer urges return of librarians to Methuen grammar schools","audioSeconds",111,"startMs",557000,"endMs",668000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2765055-70427eb12116faff33baec6b38ab2b4e&start=557&end=668","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2765055-70427eb12116faff33baec6b38ab2b4e/thumbnail_557000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6108985/Massachusetts/Resident-and-volunteer-urges-return-of-librarians-to-Methuen-grammar-schools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108985-c39db4c1876f550cc85c00815011e197/orig.mp4?Expires=1770944585&Signature=UFuzmM27~ImjiAfQAb-0qfOe7vyzr6lGTFrURq3itoeftcLzsT1yG0ogHlK4jFproDfeTmq5e3YYRoobHQepTWa9B0~K4aJ~fMXU3GhdEWsY9hE6ozYJDdQ11ngbImzdCY4LtYGBWWa5oFNRy932togJ3cOlIW5xUrmMl89OU5uBecqPVaeklUtZlRHsDErfYB5sOq3pIqYeFtazYsxXlQ6kg55BSfSDkyk8v5jH6N2HnbpWUCLQZ~7H1E3starIUt-2CthA1U-aCJGt8N4JPp0d4FOCVDi9M-qx688O1AkIiQjgJpAGTIvM3uJo0ev1EzRqZhcQR6T8exl2Zd5dTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Methuen Public Schools, MA","date","2025-03-25T20:20:29.987Z","article","Daniel (Dan) Stanley, a Methuen pastor and long‑time volunteer at the Marsh Grammar School library, used public comment at the March 24 meeting to press the school committee to restore certified library/media specialists across the district.

Stanley said he has run a weekly mobile book exchange for Marsh students for several years and that “less than half” of Marsh students have had regular access to a library; he said roughly 6 percent of Methuen students overall currently have library access. He praised recent book donations but urged the district to bring back paid library/media specialists who can teach research and digital‑citizenship skills rather than rely on teachers or volunteers to run libraries.

“What our libraries need are media centers specialists who will teach and guide our students so that their literacy will improve and that their imaginations will blossom,” Stanley told the committee; he identified himself in the written comments as a Marsh volunteer since 2011 and a pastor at Rivers of God in Methuen.

Committee members acknowledged the comment and the superintendent said media‑center specialists are included in the FY26 staffing requests presented later in the workshop. The administration also noted that some funding questions about hires are tied to the larger budget discussions now underway.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Methuen School Committee Meeting 3-24-25","oneSentenceSummary","At the March 24 meeting a long‑time volunteer and pastor, Daniel Stanley, urged the committee to restore certified librarians/media specialists to grammar‑school libraries, saying volunteers and teacher‑run libraries cannot replace trained media specialists.","taxTitle","Methuen Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts","taxId",38562,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6108990,"Facilities backlog, boilers and custodial staffing top Methuen capital and operations concerns",792,7539000,8331000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2765055-70427eb12116faff33baec6b38ab2b4e&start=7539&end=8331","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2765055-70427eb12116faff33baec6b38ab2b4e/thumbnail_7539000.jpg","/articles/6108990/Massachusetts/Facilities-backlog-boilers-and-custodial-staffing-top-Methuen-capital-and-operations-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108990-4e38a9e8763540c00d5476e0eb11267e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770944585&Signature=l25dBJy1OH29mhz29rCn464llCK9kMyvdK8RXawajR6bxhXrRjo0KKuNPqDU2n87xcpibrOQKD4hb~5NB288Y12nFhvuwxeChOw58bYknP6-wWlhi0fDYQYnpZ~Y-22g79tj34F78q0EzPw91nJD~nyhpIJOsbSGkywxZkJa5Q4d3qPyj-2R~h8eLBAhuq1jFohbPi6cPnoEn-Uh3UbqHgBDk~NL6N~j8cQfsVbAaQy~GguGiv577YlNt06ZjSIcdurAwXUmdr-kpaqXU8dPBKJ4ZY4~eYvZnbbYcAtr5yfK3MXuKc1DkztdIQM5PuGLDjZWKK54DgEFW6MjthDdJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District officials told the committee March 24 that several building systems are at or near the end of their useful life and that FY26–FY28 capital planning must remain a priority alongside operating needs.

Highlights from the facilities and capital discussion
- Capital vs. extraordinary maintenance: The administration explained that repairs estimated above $150,000 are considered capital projects and must be placed on the city’s capital improvement plan (CIP) and typically funded through bonding; smaller extraordinary maintenance items can be handled from the operating budget.
- Immediate items the administration described as urgent: an air handler at the Timoney, boilers at the Marsh (described as near failure), and water heaters at the Captain G. S. (CGS) school that had been flagged as a Board of Health concern; the Marsh fire‑alarm system was presented as a worst‑case $300,000 replacement if existing wiring proves incompatible with new panels.
- Custodial/maintenance staffing: The superintendent proposed adding three building‑based custodians (Timoney, Timoney? Tenney, Timoney and CGS were named in packet) and 2.5 maintenance staff, plus two maintenance supervisors and ideas for a night‑shift foreman. The administration said a single district facility director cannot both respond to emergencies and oversee daily building upkeep; additional building‑level staff would reduce repeated emergency pulls from the same people.

Why it matters: Facilities failures can require expensive emergency spending and disrupt instruction. The administration also noted scheduling constraints — large capital work (carpet, HVAC, roofing) must often be completed during the limited summer window, so project timing is constrained.

Committee questions and next steps
Members asked for historical staffing and custodial counts, an explanation of which repairs had already been submitted to the city CIP for FY25 and FY26, and a clearer breakdown of which CIP items were funded versus still under negotiation with the mayor/CAFO. The administration said it will provide the custodial historical headcount, update the CIP checklist and discuss options such as a hybrid contract cleaning model for peak needs.

The presentation asked the committee to prioritize which maintenance projects should be funded if the city contribution is lower than requested; the administration said staff would return with more precise bids and prioritized timelines.","The FY26 packet highlighted urgent capital and extraordinary maintenance needs—roofs, boilers and fire alarms—and proposed adding custodial and maintenance staff and a facilities reorganization to reduce emergency repairs and support buildings year‑round.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6108995,"Methuen budget includes $2.4 million proposal to expand in‑district autism program; contract timing raised as concern",274,4615000,4889000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2765055-70427eb12116faff33baec6b38ab2b4e&start=4615&end=4889","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2765055-70427eb12116faff33baec6b38ab2b4e/thumbnail_4615000.jpg","/articles/6108995/Massachusetts/Methuen-budget-includes-24-million-proposal-to-expand-indistrict-autism-program-contract-timing-raised-as-concern","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108995-6bb22db8e20fc73cbafe551754b1257a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770944585&Signature=Ala8yXQmy7PTpDcMeMWFAyWPrjH3Z4mJBPa9hge4QOJNb-35Ex33v04dK~wYqU1KirMsfuYW-sbza6IKXHwoaLQYHcmvJOR1AcgifAFCTYq4ishjCf89gDJwLrQ4ehnal0EbYW3rdsTcZqYEVQIJrFMrSEMnSyFYhvb8sL0mkXk22Cov3qL~isznRbMYUwXz05izF2anjAKUVGA7rDRv99vVLlD8jcuH-sGvOkAA4DTIQP8wmcBIlHAqBlGBRSHB0XwPSOeSBFfpHOFUPCu6s4KRjylwREr7kd8-iOH6gtC17xBkKbf1lb54VDDU1zrCrNFzkkdfMvB99Vds9hduKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Quang and district staff told the school committee March 24 that a proposed $2.4 million contract with an external provider (referred to in presentation materials as Constellations) would provide staffing, professional development and on‑site capacity‑building for kindergarten through grade‑4 programs serving students with autism spectrum disorder.

Why it matters: The administration said the contract is intended to build in‑district capacity and reduce out‑of‑district placements over time. The district framed the proposal as a way to keep more students in Methuen while addressing a local shortage of qualified specialized staff (BCBAs, ABA instructors and behavior technicians).

What the proposal would pay for
- Contracted staffing package cited by the administration: 12 behavior technicians (one per classroom), 12 ABA instructors, and 3 Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). The district estimated the contract cost at $2,400,000 for the initial phase that includes staffing and professional development.
- Administration said the contract would supply embedded training and supervision that the district currently lacks capacity to provide.

Questions from the committee
Members asked why the work could not be done by district hires rather than an outside vendor, whether procurement (bids/RFP) requirements were addressed and how quickly the vendor could recruit staff. Member Maxwell asked whether hiring district staff would be less expensive; Quang and Miss Bozak said the district lacks supervisory capacity to implement such a program without outside expertise.

Timing and contingency
Quang told the committee the vendor needs an early commitment to recruit and secure staff and that a delayed decision reduces the likelihood of success. “The longer we wait, the less likely this is going to be successful,” she said. The administration said any agreement would be contingent on appropriate funding from the city and/or grants.

Next steps and cautions
Committee members requested procurement and contract details, a breakdown of short‑ and long‑term costs versus expected savings from reduced out‑of‑district placements, and clarity on whether the vendor agreement would include performance milestones and timelines for transitioning services to district staff.

Speakers captured this topic included Superintendent Quang and Assistant Superintendent Bozak; multiple committee members asked for more detail before any contract commitment.","The administration proposed a $2.4 million contract with a private provider to staff and train expanded K–4 autism (ASD) programming; board members raised questions about procurement, cost and whether the program will be sustainable without long‑term city funding.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6109000,"Methuen preliminary FY26 budget centers on rising special-education costs, staffing and state funding shortfalls",7781,1371000,9152000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2765055-70427eb12116faff33baec6b38ab2b4e&start=1371&end=9152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2765055-70427eb12116faff33baec6b38ab2b4e/thumbnail_1371000.jpg","/articles/6109000/Massachusetts/Methuen-preliminary-FY26-budget-centers-on-rising-special-education-costs-staffing-and-state-funding-shortfalls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109000-ce878065b50639dca18d0c114fbe7068/orig.mp4?Expires=1770944585&Signature=nLI2Nd6Nw1v0R77oQfHJZSr8lUtJO8QiWUfxiR1bo6cNQtTATwwPiBUn6nQEglZGMAT7va2LmrvpuQOmjbdDlTCfzNKN3kRX2aRq63iJrJ7RLWqRUC7JpvVBszvnzQ7fp5PNZYHnp-Oeqo~KupwEuhfzvLuHfEdabDSW0~w6IV3HCkwlNKpXJl0pZa1FAoFqnCL6lybdQ42YUT2PqBjQ4NAZdgqOIWSjB6kNq7ICQPgfVL~mo~Vj3jfHRbT5FeFIihuz0C~EvH9tUoJGBRq50MPIbL8~1gaVqFgSMS3cmcmtIixvHvcG4RutKu68FJVjrDFoZC6H1pBhzXH9-lTqwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Quang presented Methuen Public Schools’ preliminary fiscal 2026 budget at a March 24 workshop, saying the plan aims to preserve class-size goals while responding to what she described as sharply rising special-education, transportation and contracted-service costs.

The presentation put special-education spending at about $53.2 million — roughly 42 percent of the budget the district is proposing — and showed a package of staffing additions the administration says are needed to serve students with increasingly complex needs. Quang told the committee the budget also relies on two federal grant awards that had not been confirmed by the meeting.

Quang emphasized enrollment trends and the changing student profile. “The continual increase of our English learners … has almost doubled in five years,” she said, and the district’s “high‑needs” cohort — students who are English learners, low‑income or students with disabilities — now represents about 65 percent of enrollment. The superintendent said the district is trying to protect class-size targets — 18–22 in grammar schools, a target kindergarten range of 15–20 — while adjusting staffing to match student needs.

Why it matters: Methuen leaders said the district’s spending pressures come from multiple directions that state formulas and one‑time local reserves do not fully cover. The presentation explained how the Student Opportunity Act (SOA, state education funding reform passed in 2019) and Chapter 70 aid interact with special‑education reimbursements (the “circuit breaker”) and local tax limits. Committee members and staff warned that the current state foundation formula and the phased implementation of SOA have not kept pace with inflation and rising service costs.

Key details and numbers presented
- Special education: Quang placed total special‑education spending at about $53.2 million (in‑district and out‑of‑district tuition, related services and transportation). The administration said special‑education is one of the largest and fastest‑growing drivers of district costs.
- Circuit breaker: FY25 threshold noted in the presentation was $52,419; the circuit‑breaker program reimburses a district for a portion of extraordinary special‑education tuition above that threshold. The district described the statutory reimbursement as 75% at present and noted active legislation that would raise it toward 90%.
- Contracted services: The budget shows a roughly $9 million increase in contracted services year‑over‑year, including a $2.4 million proposed contract to expand an in‑district program for students with autism (see separate article on the proposed Constellations contract).
- Transportation: The administration reported a transportation cost increase incorporated into the FY26 request (non‑net transportation shown in the presentation rose by about $2.58 million). The district noted DESE recently reimbursed roughly 44% of special‑education transportation costs in the most recent year.

Committee members pressed for clarity on which costs are legally required (IEP obligations, transportation and out‑of‑district tuition) and which are discretionary. Member Ouellette and others urged outreach to the legislative delegation in Boston, arguing that state funding rules and the pace of SOA implementation are central to long‑term solvency. Member Keegan and others said the committee must also make realistic local budget choices before the request reaches city government.

Next steps: Quang said the administration will continue to meet weekly with the city’s chief administrative and finance officers to establish the city contribution number and requested at least one or two more budget‑workshop meetings in April. The presentation included a “net‑zero” scenario that would remove roughly 40 full‑time positions (about $2.9 million) as an example of how the district could reduce the budget if required.

The school committee did not take a final vote on the budget at the March 24 workshop; members scheduled further budget workshops and said they will continue to seek details on state grant prospects, federal awards and the city’s funding commitment.","Superintendent Quang presented a preliminary FY26 budget March 24 that preserves class sizes while seeking dozens of new positions and warning that special-education and transportation costs are driving a large portion of the request amid uncertain state and federal funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident and volunteer urges return of librarians to Methuen grammar schools

Facilities backlog, boilers and custodial staffing top Methuen capital and operations concerns

Methuen budget includes $2.4 million proposal to expand in‑district autism program; contract timing raised as concern

Methuen preliminary FY26 budget centers on rising special-education costs, staffing and state funding shortfalls