[{"_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",6184201,"mediaKeyId","5092608-132b72ffef29b309d8789518433d8104","parentId",5092608,"title","Methuen School Committee adopts $110.66 million FY26 budget; recalls, layoffs and one dissent noted","audioSeconds",2022,"startMs",1372000,"endMs",3394000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5092608-132b72ffef29b309d8789518433d8104&start=1372&end=3394","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5092608-132b72ffef29b309d8789518433d8104/thumbnail_1372000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6184201/Massachusetts/Methuen-School-Committee-adopts-11066-million-FY26-budget-recalls-layoffs-and-one-dissent-noted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184201-49f9edf0ac66df256468db3e19b03953/orig.mp4?Expires=1770768193&Signature=BqCJUwIpW3~-98UOleRV9nHZkschrgtuSX1WmOeoJIjdiEdll3blpPoa4i9ZA74vYxze8bzmyIyTORwsldnxFGqzhY4D4C4zjOtzr1U~04x3mP4ckzpCc~MWMi47mdxRL8Maa8X5XQ034WFg~NZ23pTSL6CGy-V2ugkpUs-H0fho-6GpyvVq6eeLEUwA1Kv2jEY20yg7JU7BlZcl0Vm3rI5iYeUxsUUpfdF1b1Fa3vjiFIPhqfSkdl2zPAWTrFXl46nwjVbhfv3VOztUqP~zj~hhgfJc8~ho8CUu8ICi8C1QwVwiDBDkyQrrz~0-iTr9-TPi2i-EL7r1MTm6i5nhLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Methuen Public Schools, MA","date","2025-06-27T01:00:44Z","article","The Methuen School Committee on June 26 approved a $110,657,252 fiscal year 2026 operating budget after roll‑call votes on individual line items and the total, with a 6‑1 tally on the final number.

The vote followed discussion of staffing changes that were already reflected in the school‑committee approved staffing plan: the budget reduces or eliminates several positions, including four world‑language positions at the grammar schools, one physical‑education position at Marsh and CGS, four K–4 health positions and some high‑school and classroom posts tied to enrollment declines. The superintendent said recall calls to some employees were scheduled to begin the next day.

Why it matters: the adopted budget, and the city and state funds layered against it, determine how many staff return, which programs are restored and what one‑time remediation and contracted services the district can fund before the start of school. The votes also closed a months‑long process in which district and city leaders sought reimbursements and free‑cash transfers to address special‑education and unemployment costs.

The committee approved major line items by roll call earlier in the meeting: professional salaries ($61,845,584), secretarial salaries ($2,187,188), other salaries ($13,247,278), contractual services ($31,554,952), supplies and materials ($1,638,300) and other expenses ($183,950). The total operating budget was then adopted by roll call; Member Trevor Maxwell cast the lone “No” vote on multiple items and on the total, saying she believed the district still needed more positions and resources.

Superintendent Dr. Quang described how additional state reimbursement and city free cash narrowed a projected shortfall. She said the district had already applied a $900,000 free‑cash transfer for one‑time special‑education costs and that the mayor and city administration expected a certified free‑cash amount that would allow a further $1.8 million transfer. The superintendent also said that increased “circuit‑breaker” special‑education reimbursement from the state permitted reallocation of dollars away from contracted services lines.

On staff recalls and layoffs the superintendent said the recall process would be led by central office staff and that recalls would begin the following day: \"Colleen will be in tomorrow to start making those recall phone calls and sign off letters for people to come back,\" she said. She warned some employees might decline recall offers because they had taken other jobs or relocated.

The committee also voted to raise the Methuen High School student activity checking‑account maximum from $50,000 to $75,000, citing high end‑of‑year activity costs.

What remains unsettled: committee members pressed for clarity on how one city contribution — a $320,000 amount discussed at city council — would be applied; the superintendent said some or all of those dollars went into a broader general‑fund pool that is being used, in part, to fund the schools. The unemployment payments for laid‑off staff are being administered through a city pool rather than direct school‑department budget lines, the superintendent said, and the availability and timing of additional earmarked state or local dollars remained subject to certification and legislative timing.

Discussion vs. formal action: the meeting combined formal budget adoption (formal action) with operational direction (staff to make recall calls) and policy context (how city free cash and state reimbursements were applied). The committee made no new policy changes at the meeting; it adopted the budget and voted a single administrative banking limit.

Next steps: the superintendent said she would communicate with affected staff immediately and follow up with public copies of class‑size and staffing grids. The committee and superintendent also said a newly formed finance subcommittee will continue work on budget stability for FY27.

Ending note: Member DeZaglio said the committee had been “lucky from the state” with reimbursements and urged planning to avoid repeating a last‑minute funding scramble next year. Member Maxwell said she could not support the budget because she believed it did not restore enough positions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Methuen School Committee 6/26/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Methuen School Committee on June 26 adopted a $110,657,252 fiscal year 2026 operating budget after approving individual line items by roll call; the meeting also set in motion recall calls for some laid‑off staff as city and state funding narrowed the district’s shortfall.","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},6184187,"Tenney Grammar School inspected after rodent sightings; city inspectors, custodial teams and administrators mobilize",92,8163000,8255000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5092608-132b72ffef29b309d8789518433d8104&start=8163&end=8255","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5092608-132b72ffef29b309d8789518433d8104/thumbnail_8163000.jpg","/articles/6184187/Massachusetts/Tenney-Grammar-School-inspected-after-rodent-sightings-city-inspectors-custodial-teams-and-administrators-mobilize","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184187-85c44d2892a625720c04acc34ea0c42d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770768193&Signature=k~GbuoV6Ig0E31sdgZhOXhI0mCUrRb2b05rTwKZYsxu3Iy7yU6AKLreIUjYH~oF5sggxRjSsZx-Ct5a4CI9goz9XWsliazkF6vDFNT4Xh5SSrbvIYFlB3EbsgomwECplbd1OvbSNDhi1w8BOax1l9k1EfXwmjiESbek3HSsLEc~wxRbSl7MyFnWUEuCEnPplnuBng1~c-yRenAwz6WDTz5XJwDR7~SdDE3CTb6YezAbn2FOELofcQkERmtjDh4a5HNS24Ew6IO~hBfYLBSaMM07-U60nCUwx64PXxmZorYcYNSnvNlkk4aVq-UEV3YdLo-~oUKJeJWJKQ7Hrm9XEIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City health inspectors visited Tenney Grammar School on the morning of June 26 after the district and city received reports of rodent activity in occupied classrooms and in cafeteria areas. The mayor and the superintendent alerted committee members in the meeting’s closing section and said custodial teams and inspectors had been on site and would return for follow‑up inspections.

What happened: the mayor opened the item for full disclosure: \"This morning, city health inspectors visited the Tenney School. I received word from those inspectors about major facilities failures at the school,\" he said, and he told the committee inspectors would return the next morning at 6 a.m. The superintendent confirmed custodial staff had deep‑cleaned the facility again and that additional custodial crews were being assigned for weekend and early‑morning work.

Why it matters: Tenney housed summer programs, and the district and city said they were taking immediate steps to protect students and staff who use the building this summer. The superintendent said the kitchen had passed inspection but that fecal evidence and other signs were found in some classroom areas during the inspection; those rooms were prioritized for cleaning.

Actions taken and next steps

- The city’s director of health, human services and inspections was coordinating regulatory steps and returning to the building with inspectors.

- The district put additional custodians on site and scheduled further cleaning, disinfection and targeted repairs; inspectors planned to be back the following morning and again on Monday.

- Committee members asked for a full set of the health‑inspector reports and for an explanation of steps taken and the chain of command that should produce faster reporting when sanitation or infestation issues arise. The superintendent said she had notified parents of the situation and the district was working with the city to make sure summer programs go forward safely.

Committee reaction and accountability questions

Several committee members said the incident was unacceptable and pressed for accountability, clearer reporting and improved preventive steps such as door sweeps, perimeter trapping and removal of attractants. Member DeZaglio said the situation was “mortifying” and urged immediate corrective measures; Member Maxwell called for exploration of alternative contracting or staffing arrangements if in‑house services are not keeping facilities safe.

What the district said: the superintendent said the district had performed a deep clean about three and a half months earlier, at a reported cost of roughly $50,000, and that custodians and inspectors were addressing the current findings. She asked the community to await the full inspector report as the district documented next steps.

Ending: inspectors and custodial crews planned follow‑up early‑morning visits; the superintendent and the mayor said the city and district would coordinate remediation steps and consider additional contracting or procedural changes to reduce future risk.","City health inspectors visited Tenney Grammar School after staff and city officials reported rodent activity. The district said custodial crews performed deep cleaning, inspectors will return for follow‑up early in the morning and the city and district will pursue additional remediation and potential changes to pest‑control protocols.",{"_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},6184192,"Mental‑health screenings show improvements; Methuen High earns UMass Lowell early‑college designation",672,7822000,8494000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5092608-132b72ffef29b309d8789518433d8104&start=7822&end=8494","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5092608-132b72ffef29b309d8789518433d8104/thumbnail_7822000.jpg","/articles/6184192/Massachusetts/Mentalhealth-screenings-show-improvements-Methuen-High-earns-UMass-Lowell-earlycollege-designation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184192-9ef7af945a47df0ae6f685961956ee20/orig.mp4?Expires=1770768193&Signature=Ra1I7nSw5A2VKS9Y2m7uAcXf1mHASVNPvi6~17CevUZ2L9MhPtmA9P~~64~VX6Ezl4BwD4xBWdCLz3awqg-AFQn8uA6LBFY5SVYFbD9XEB3C7FKMwt31uEZlXP0zfNPreZlU2VeBpLRT-vW-VA9xse8SLXco6n-f-JMcrj1FdJq-iu2wwen-gsGRadFxR7cDC1LWzXXl03S5vaDGVgWgnFSDVCJifKJ8aHhiqLtjsnVJGhGMCMVHfGP2djCDtXAcXM1b2qpjzu4CJg4fQEyvaWii9XVSmk9GRxJY8LP0qf4~F7458MHcNN2yjn9~VuP30h1NlUh1dbragIBs1sEliA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff told the Methuen School Committee on June 26 that universal mental‑health screening and progress monitoring show gains in several indicators and that the district secured an early‑college designation with UMass Lowell that will allow Methuen High School students to take college courses with financial support.

The screenings

John Crocker, who presented the screening results, said spring data showed reductions in severe anxiety and depression for high‑school students relative to earlier administrations and that the district had moved to a common screening tool for grades 5–12 to allow consistent longitudinal monitoring. \"The goal of screening is not to get a 100% compliance from kids,\" Crocker said. \"The goal of screening is to provide an opportunity for a kid that's ready to talk about a very serious problem… and connecting them with a trusted adult.\"

Crocker and other administrators noted the district’s screening program has matured over a decade, with higher participation this year and a very low opt‑out rate from families. The district is also maintaining caseload monitoring spreadsheets for counselors to track students receiving tier‑2 and tier‑3 services and to measure whether supports stabilize or improve students’ functioning.

Early college designation

Superintendent Dr. Quang announced Methuen High School’s approval for UMass Lowell’s early‑college designation. The designation allows students to earn college credits at no cost, with the early‑college grant covering teacher stipends, books and transportation when needed and DESE reimbursing UMass Lowell for credit hours. The district has selected initial pathways in teaching, engineering and law/criminal justice; juniors and seniors would take two college courses per year in the pathway sequence.

Student participation and youth civic projects

The administration also logged extracurricular rosters at Methuen High School to better measure participation. Staff reported they had imported club and activity rosters into the student information system to create a more accurate participation data set rather than relying on self‑reports. The committee heard summaries of youth participatory action research (YPAR) projects in each school; several teams won commendations at a state showcase for projects such as sustainable cafeteria practices and access to hygiene products.

Discussion vs. action: the screening and early‑college items were informational and planning items; the early‑college designation is a district achievement tied to an external program rather than a committee vote during this meeting.

Ending: administrators said they will continue progress monitoring of mental‑health services, expand community mental‑health literacy and report back on implementation details of the early‑college courses and student participation tracking before the fall term.","District officials reported declines in severe anxiety and depression scores on spring screenings, launched districtwide progress monitoring for tiered mental‑health services and announced Methuen High’s designation in the UMass Lowell early‑college program, enabling juniors and seniors to take college courses.",{"_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},6184197,"Methuen leaders highlight mixed literacy benchmark results, promise CKLA and follow‑ups",1290,3500000,4790000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5092608-132b72ffef29b309d8789518433d8104&start=3500&end=4790","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5092608-132b72ffef29b309d8789518433d8104/thumbnail_3500000.jpg","/articles/6184197/Massachusetts/Methuen-leaders-highlight-mixed-literacy-benchmark-results-promise-CKLA-and-followups","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184197-c55c86fdf4a51f77d8fbf793c083af0c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770768193&Signature=jBmjKh3nF5gogkxmG8jZc~LT1H-Hr4j~1OvzAGijLjRD45cKtRf0wVrsZrV8eD~2hsy9hhjQjiQpPx-3mZc1XdcpZOeEZKN4EWZ1ZvTZ~j9V~Y9R4-A7OUpQ-MM274m12O7rPr6rHczgCs20M3gpyh5QBa7Dk8eNKTHTV5mRPYqZyDv0xL3KFNUko~1OjEBmOBQhbsfrpYsbBLBxW-urCt0jmZZH7k53187grk8tvCRGcZMonIfC93C7jLqq54PX5iiN8PKjxntEazoUv~q-2tFmpxkq4EFfgmrRmSC~IFSVCHpxGi40IYQwRIu8pUABlhFVfd65aHF9kb2u9rtXZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Quang and district administrators presented end‑of‑year literacy benchmark data at the June 26 meeting, saying the district saw strong growth in kindergarten and first grade but more mixed results in grades 3–5 and the upper grades.

The district’s curriculum supervisor reviewed several measures: DIBELS benchmark results for K–3 and Reading Plus (DreamBox) benchmark results for grades 4–8. The presenter said DIBELS shows “green” and “blue” growth in kindergarten and first grade, and she expressed concern that DreamBox’s automated reading‑rate metric had inconsistent values in some cases and required careful interpretation.

Why it matters: literacy benchmarks guide classroom groupings, reading‑specialist assignments and curricular choices; discrepancies among measures and conversations about retesting influence instructional planning and parental communications.

Assessment highlights and concerns

- The presenter told the committee the DIBELS results for K–1 showed meaningful growth from fall to spring and that she was “very encouraged” by that pattern. She said the district will confirm the published class‑size numbers and share the final memo publicly.

- For grades 4–8, the district used Reading Plus (DreamBox/Insight). The presenter said average proficiency and comprehension rose year to year in several upper grades and that some cohorts showed gains that exceeded one year of expected growth; however, the presenter also noted anomalous reading‑rate values in the DreamBox export and said the comprehension column was more reliable.

- Board members and some teachers questioned test administration and data accuracy. Member Maxwell repeatedly urged caution about equating the district’s internal benchmark percentages with MCAS or state proficiency. She said where benchmark results appeared inconsistent the district had retested some students; administrators explained retesting is used when an assessment appears to have been administered or completed in a way that produced unreliable results.

- The superintendent said a district curriculum purchase — Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) — will provide a more consistent assessment and curriculum alignment in selected grades next year, and that the district will use screenshots and disaggregated exports so the committee and community can see the actual benchmark outputs.

Instructional follow‑up and communication

Administrators said they will send final class‑size and staffing grids to committee members and the broader faculty. They also committed to providing parents with benchmark results and interpretation when assessments are administered, and to continuing professional development and classroom‑level grouping (reading success blocks) so teachers can respond to student needs.

Discussion vs. action: the meeting discussion was informational; there were no votes tied to assessment changes or curriculum contracts during this session. The curriculum team said it will return with finalized class‑size confirmations and additional disaggregated data in the coming weeks.

Ending: committee members welcomed the K–1 gains while continuing to press for transparent, disaggregated reporting and for a plan to address persistent gaps for English learners and students with disabilities.","District leaders presented a quarter‑four literacy update showing gains in K–1 and uneven results in grades 3–5 and above. The report used DIBELS for K–3 and Reading Plus/DreamBox for upper grades; board members pressed for more disaggregated data and clearer parent communications on benchmark results.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Methuen School Committee adopts $110.66 million FY26 budget; recalls, layoffs and one dissent noted

Tenney Grammar School inspected after rodent sightings; city inspectors, custodial teams and administrators mobilize

Mental‑health screenings show improvements; Methuen High earns UMass Lowell early‑college designation

Methuen leaders highlight mixed literacy benchmark results, promise CKLA and follow‑ups