Medford Public Schools

Three-Phase Plan

The Medford Public School system is currently in the midst of a 3-phase school construction and renovation plan. Upon its completion, this plan will encompass replacement of all older elementary and middle schools in the system and significant upgrading of Medford High School/Vocational School.

Phase I: 2 Middle Schools, 1 Elementary School — Occupied: September 2001 – Completed

Two buildings have been constructed on the former MDC property known as Hormel Field. The Madeleine Dugger Andrews Middle School for grades 6-8 has an enrollment of approximately 600 students. The second is the John J. McGlynn, Sr. School, one building housing two school programs: a PreK-5 Elementary School for 650 students, and a Middle School for grades 6-8, enrolling 600 students. This PK- 8 facility has separate entrances for the different grade level programs. While there is a Senior Principal, James Deveney, for the total facility, each program has its own administration and faculty. The curriculum is grade appropriate and consistent with the approved elementary and middle school program of studies and format. These two-schools-in-one utilize certain shared educational facilities — gymnasium, cafeteria, auditorium, and library/media center. This building does not follow the combined PreK-8 model of some local parochial schools.

Phase II: 3 Elementary Schools — Occupancy: September 2003 – Completed

The Phase II schools, replacements of older public schools, include 3 Elementary Schools for grades PreK-5, each with anticipated enrollment of 650 students. The new Brooks Elementary School is located on the site of the former Brooks-Hobbs elementary-middle school complex in West Medford; the new Columbus Elementary School replaces its namesake in South Medford, and the new Roberts Elementary School replaces the Roberts Middle School in Central/North Medford. The new Brooks and Roberts Elementary Schools will each also include space for up to 45 special education collaborative students.

Phase III: Medford High School and Vocational School — Complete

The Medford High School and Vocational School facility is more than thirty years old and has had extensive use for many years. The Superintendent presented a five year Capital Improvement Plan which was approved by the Medford School Committee. This plan calls for making necessary repairs, improvement, and upgrades to this facility. Among the identified needs are:

Exterior improvements, including redesign of the Community Schools entrance, landscaping, and repair of the steps at the main entrance; (complete)

Roof replacement; (completed)

Systems upgrades, including plumbing, HVAC, and emergency generator repair or replacement; (significant work completed – ongoing)

Renovation of common areas, including repair or replacement of ceiling and floor tiles, lighting fixtures, and windows; (significant work completed – ongoing)

Updating of specific educational facilities, including the library, basketball court, theater, locker rooms, science labs, and pool; (planning stage)

Technology enhancement; (ongoing)

Redesign of selected vocational shops; (ongoing)

General classroom renovation. (significant painting completed – ongoing)

The Phase III Medford High School Building Committee – a group of parents, professionals, elected representatives, students, and teachers appointed by Mayor McGlynn — was charged with scrutinizing and prioritizing the various needs in a systematic manner to ensure that essential needs are met in a timely way and that resources are optimized. This process of citizen participation and oversight will also put in place a continuously renewable cycle of inspection, analysis, review, maintenance, repair, and reconstruction that will inform decision-making on an ongoing basis. Committee products are expected to include a continuous capital improvement plan for MHS, with annual reports to the Medford School Committee. All major projects will be approved by the Medford School Committee. The Medford City Council will be asked to appropriate funding as needed.