Medfield School Committee Unanimously Backs K-5 Literacy Curriculum Warrant Article

MEDFIELD — March 26, 2026 — Medfield School Committee approves K-5 literacy warrant article, debates $608,000 in budget cuts ahead of June override vote. The committee voted unanimously March 26 to sponsor a Town Meeting warrant article funding a new K-5 literacy curriculum as a one-time purchase through available free cash. Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Marsden and Director of Finance and Operations Michael LaFrancesca also presented a bus fee proposal that could generate $144,000 to $240,000 annually based on a $180-to-$300-per-student fee for roughly 800 eligible riders; Chair Michelle Kirkby said the discussion will continue at the April 9 meeting pending a community survey. Warrant Committee members Steve Callahan and Edward Vozella defended a compromise budget scenario calling for 3.64 percent school budget growth and $608,000 in reductions — covering 1.5 administrative assistant positions, 0.5 custodian positions, five teaching positions, and $108,000 in non-payroll cuts — while members Sophia Viglas and Will Horne questioned why the schools are absorbing 94 percent of proposed cuts. Marsden warned that 39 non-professional teachers already hold non-employment notices and that the June 8 override vote date conflicts with a June 15 legal notification deadline, creating a risk that valued staff will seek positions elsewhere before the community votes.