The Medford School Committee voted Feb. 10 to increase Summer Fund tuition and adopt a framework to preserve affordability for families who qualify for subsidized rates.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Cushing and Director of Finance Noel Velez presented enrollment, payroll and revenue figures and outlined an option analysis that considered a broader sliding-scale model. Anthony Petrellas, director of the Summer Fund program, joined virtually and described operational impacts of expanded enrollment and afternoon extended-school programming.

What the committee approved
The committee approved a motion to set standard Summer Fund tuition at $250 per week for the 2025 program year, set a resident reduced rate at $200 per week for families identified via direct certification (the district will use the April 1 direct-certification report to determine eligibility), and set the non-resident weekly rate at $300. The committee instructed administration to advertise and open registration as soon as practical. Member Graham, who offered the motion, said the approach balances affordability with program sustainability.

Why the change
Administrators said Summer Fund historically began each summer with a zero fund balance; the FY25 program had 249 students participating across weeks last year, staffing up to 25 counselors plus director and assistant directors, and FY25 revenue of about $131,960 with payroll near $96,280. The recommended $50 increase aims to expand programming, formalize scholarship processes and adjust hourly rates for counselors and stipends for directors while keeping the program self-sustaining.

Key clarifications and safeguards
- The district will use the April 1 direct-certification snapshot to identify families eligible for the reduced $200 rate.
- Administration said it will formalize scholarship procedures rather than relying on ad hoc, case-by-case decisions.
- Title III funds and EL-program staffing have at times supplemented afternoon supervision and tutoring; administrators said one teacher and two aides from the EL program provided afternoon support in prior summers.
- The committee asked that any changes to staff stipends or salaries tied to the program come back for committee approval.

Committee reaction
Member Graham, who moved the motion, said holding a clear posted rate plus a formal eligibility process reduces ambiguity and potential favoritism. "My motion would be to hold tuition at $200 for those who can demonstrate financial need, to increase tuition for everybody else to $250 and to increase tuition for non-residents to $300 a week," Graham said. Mr. Petrellas emphasized the operational challenge of adding dozens of afternoon participants and the staffing that requires.

Ending
The motion passed by voice vote. Administration will post rates, open registration, and return any salary or stipend changes related to Summer Fund to the committee for approval.