Who We Are
Concord Community For Great Schools is a group of concerned citizens that have been attending meetings and listening to different perspectives.
What We Believe
We feel more community involvement is needed regarding civic matters, especially in the area of education.
Our Goal
We hope to inform and empower younger/new members of the Concord community (especially parents), as we work together to improve our town.
4/1/25: A School Committee Member Speaks Out
Current SC member Andrew Herchek was elected last year and sent a letter to supporters (including CCGS members) 3/30, supporting Alexa and Sandeep. In it he also says, "Note: I’ve been asked why I’m not endorsing Michael Williams. Simply put, I disagree with his approach to the role and his actions towards the School Committee, such as advocating for unnecessary ‘tension’ with the Superintendent and framing the schools as failures. We need candidates who are committed to collaboration and respectful engagement. THIS Bridge article sums it up nicely. Please also note that last fall, Michael filed a legal complaint with the state regarding what he perceived as biased behavior by a student at a School Committee meeting and the subsequent response by the committee (which was to protect district children from being disparaged by community members - especially in a safe space like a public committee meeting). This complaint was quickly dismissed by the Attorney General. This was a deeply unpleasant situation and is a great example of 'tension' that is a basis of his campaign."
This seems relevant and perhaps shedss some light on why he and every other current member of the SC (to serve with those elected), plus Regional Chair Julie Viola and METCO Representative Ayesha Lawton support Alexa/Sandeep.
Vote For Two: Why We Support Alexa & Sandeep for School Committee
CCGS asked each candidate the same education-related questions in three forums. We have endorsed and will vote for the TWO candidates that will:
1) Join together to move past re-addressing compromises reached or prudent investments in new buildings. This should be a campaign about positive progress and collaboration, not retribution.
2) Defend reasonable budgets that meet the need and keep our shared tax burden in mind.
3) Support an amenities building at CCHS so all, including those using wheelchairs, can access community facilities.
4) Ask the tough questions, but also work collaboratively WITH, not against, our Superintendent and administrators, to benefit all students.
5) Expand upon the school-related volunteer work they already do in our community. It's easy to criticize, it's far-harder to actually do the work.
Simply alleging failure over and over without offering constructive solutions does not help our town or better our schools. Both Alexa and Sandeep are already dedicated volunteers and their commitment to working collaboratively with school leadership, fellow school committee members, and other town committees sets them apart. This is perhaps why ALL sitting members of the SC support them, including the METCO Rep Ayesha Lawton and the Regional Chair Julie Viola. Read more.
3/28/25: School Committee Meeting Update From 3/25/25
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League and State Champ skier Theo Remington was recognized. The CCHS Science Olympiad Team won 1st place (and a big trophy) at the (snowy) Dartmouth College National Invitational! They presented and it was awesome. They are 11th in the State. Pictures were taken.
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Chair Carrie Rankin: Welcomed new METCO Rep Michelle MacDougal. Kudos to Ayesha for the work to find a volunteer. She reported that the SC and the Superintendent are working with concerned parents/caregivers to help ensure the private-donor-funded new playground at Thoreau will be accessible to all kids, when the design is finalized and it comes to the SC for a vote. Dr. Hunter concurred.
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Dr. Hunter: Reported on a METCO listening session by/with DESE and a very positive first month in the Ellen Garrison Building. She described the 3/28 grand opening of the new Concord PossAbilities Store at 199 Sudbury Rd, selling CC spirit gear and staffed by students from the Pathways program. She also addressed an issue of antisemitism raised by parent Marc Girolimetti at the 3/11 SC meeting public comment period and met with him to address and plans to meet with the Rabbi at Kerem Shalom. Productive next steps.
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Public comment included a sharp critique of our literacy/reading curriculum and concern about ADA path/ access to the Ellen Garrison Building from the bike path. Dr. Hunter briefly commented on/responded to both, referencing upcoming meetings on new curriculum adoption and ongoing efforts to try to address the steep path to the rail trail.
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Correspondence included about 10 emails on cell phone policy.
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The CCHS Co-Principals presented on “Challenge Success”. Schedule balance, caring and collaborative school culture and resilient coping skill building were covered. A survey was taken and “fun” was a theme. Teacher care and support of students touched on. Student average sleep is now over 7 hours/night. Teacher shadow days interesting. Fun Fridays are creative and fun, like “flex block”. Ping pong club! Belonging film project covered. 16 students making short films. Focus on LGBTQ+ students and students of color. AI too. More work needed on historically marginalized groups. Discussion.
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Dr. Hunter gave a report on the first new AI Subcommittee meeting. Good start. More soon.
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A report was given on the MCI Project by the Advisory Board. Going to be a long road.
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SC goals were covered, on-track. Cell phone meetings/policy mentioned.
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The CCHS Amenities Building Warrant Article is being worked on for June’s Town Meeting and a FAQ document will be ready soon. Funding will be discussed at the April 10 SC meeting. Advocacy letter draft to users.
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Sustainability Director layoff impact to schools/gap was discussed. Bus lease was renewed.
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A procedural motion/vote was taken allowing the Town to move ahead with new turf at Doug White Fields.
3/25/25: PTG Candidate Forum at CCHS March 31
This will be a great time to meet all the candidates! Please plan to attend!
3/20/25: Breaking: Building Committee Update: Under Budget, Ribbon Cutting Set for Saturday May 3
The CMSBC met today. The Ellen Garrison Building project remains under-budget and on-schedule, with about $103M committed and about $8M still in contingency, to-date. Work on the auditorium continues and other "punch list" items. Demolition of Sanborn starts soon and run through April.
At the meeting, it was noted that regional school building costs have exploded in the last year, with Lexington taxpayers now facing a $660M school project, for example. Our cost per square foot was about $550 and current rates are $1000/sf. A sustainability report is due out soon and the Ellen Garrison Building ribbon cutting ceremony is set for the morning of May 3rd. The new permanent signage is up.
This group of citizen volunteers (past and present) deserves our thanks and gratitude for the thousands of hours they have put in. Truly above and beyond for our town and our students.
3/17/25: Check Out Our Education Newsletter!
CCGS Newsletter – March, 2025
ISSUES WE ARE TRACKING:
3/17/25: LWV Forum Video, EARLY VOTING OPEN
The League of Women Voters held a fantastic candidate forum on March 16. Please watch! The SC section begins at 12:00 minutes in.
You can read the Bridge coverage here. We have endorsed two candidates for School Committee. Read more here.
VOTE: You can vote in-person starting March 17 at 22 Monument Square. Paper ballots for in-person absentee voting are available at the Concord Town House (no need to wait until election day) Mon-Thu 8:30am-4:30pm and Fri 8:30am-12:30pm. Simply request a ballot and vote right there. Voting at your usual polling place is April 8th. You can access the Town’s election website or email the Clerk for questions by clicking here.
3/14/25: $95,000 in New Cuts Made to 2026 School Budget
To counter an unanticipated enrollment shift that will result in less money contributed from Carlisle for 2026, Dr. Hunter has cut $95K from the at-guideline FY26 budget. According to Bridge coverage, the new cuts will take the form of a $50K reduction in the contribution made to retirement obligations and $45K worth of interactive boards teachers use in the classroom from the technology budget.
3/1/25: 2026 School Budget Meets Guideline, No Budget Battle At TM
The FinCom has asked the schools to hit a compromise 2026 spending guideline. The guideline will limit K-8 increase to 2.40% and the CCHS to 3.48% (and the towns increase to 2.85%). The combined 2026 increase is a very tight 2.79% (in a 2.7% inflationary environment). The SC/Schools have indicated they will/can hit these numbers, although there will be cuts required. Great news! We remain pleased with the ongoing cooperative tone and fact that new FinCom chair Eric Dahlberg "hopes to maintain lines of communication with...school leaders to avoid a frosty relationship going into Town Meeting". FinCom member Lindsey Lis has also been outstanding, regarding constructive communication of data and fostering a spirit of compromise. It’s GREAT that the “tone” of acrimony and hostility towards the schools of past years seems to have dissipated. Bravo to all-involved.
2/24/25: The Ellen Garrison Building at CMS is Open!
After almost a decade of work by the Concord community, the new middle school is OPEN and full of students!
The project is under budget, cash flow within forecast-ed levels, and contingency funds healthy with 57% of hard and 70% of soft unspent! The volunteer building committee deserves huge thanks..Read this great letter of gratitude by CCGS member Yumi Yasutake Suarez in the Bridge.
Wants to see the new school? Turn up your volume and watch this video of pics: LINK
2/18/25: Check Out Our Education Newsletter!
CCGS Newsletter – February, 2025
ISSUES WE ARE TRACKING:
Download The February Newsletter
2/5/25: CPC VOTES NO To Allocating Unused Tax Dollars To Help Offset CCHS Amenities Building Cost
The Concord Preservation Commission debated the school's 54 page application for $750K and voted 5:4 to NOT help, even though the CPC is "sitting on" $1.44M in unused/un-allocated (taxpayer-contributed + State) funds which could have cushioned the blow to taxpayers (of the $1.5 - $1.8M warrant article at the upcoming TM). Diane Proctor, Paul Beohm, Ed Larner and Vice-chair Eve Isenberg voted "YES". Diane Proctor and others argued for support, cited the "fiscal and emotional imperative" of helping, but the vote failed. The "NO" votes cited procedural issues (the application was rec'd outside of the usual funding cycle). This is despite the fact that the SC was previously told (by the CPC) that their request for funds would not be considered and then the CPC reversed itself, after information was provided to them by the SC showing precedent in other towns, etc. It's hard to imagine how the SC could have applied during the usual cycle, given the inaccurate information they were provided, indicating their application would not be considered. This was a big missed opportunity for the town and schools to come together on an important community project.
2/11/25: School Safety: Movement on Cell Tower At Long Last
As reported in The Concord Bridge: "School Committee member Tracy Marano acknowledged the expected cell tower announcement at a February 4 meeting. She said she hoped the landfill project would boost service at Concord-Carlisle High School and nearby Alcott Elementary School". This is GREAT NEWS. Not having cell coverage at CCHS is unsafe and impractical. We hope this happens...soon!
2/3/25: METCO CEO Delivers Assessment
As reported in the Concord Bridge: "The leader of the organization overseeing METCO programs across Greater Boston praised Concord and acknowledged ongoing efforts to make improvements, even as some parents continue to raise concerns about issues involving race. Speaking before the School Committee on January 21, METCO Inc. president and CEO Milly Arbaje-Thomas said she often cites Concord programs as an example for other districts." Full Bridge Coverage
As reported in the Carlisle Mosquito: “I can tell you that I am very impressed with the work that has happened here,” stated Milly Arbaje-Thomas, the President and CEO of METCO, Inc.," Full coverage in the Mosquito.
1/10/25: Superintendent: ‘Significant Reductions’ in Staffing
To meet guideline, staff cuts are coming. "Schools superintendent Laurie Hunter said the 2026 fiscal year is set to bring “significant reductions” in K-8 staffing as administrators weigh middle school consolidation, declining enrollment, and other factors. Hunter presented her recommended K-8 and high school budgets to the School Committee...on January 7. As she discussed the broader budget process, she said, “Sometimes you don’t need everything you already have.” Read more the The Concord Bridge here.
12/23/24: FinCom Guideline Will Limit School Spending
The FinCom is asking the schools to hit 2026 increase guidelines above the preliminary guideline but below their ask. This was just announced in the Concord Bridge. The guideline will limit CPS (K-8) increase to 2.4%. The FinCom set the CCHS guideline at 3.48% and the town’s at 2.85%. The aggregate increase is 2.79% (in a 2.7% inflationary environment). Hopefully the SC/Schools can hit these numbers. We remain pleased with the ongoing cooperative tone and fact that FinCom chair Eric Dahlberg "hopes to maintain lines of communication with...school leaders to avoid a frosty relationship going into Town Meeting".
12/19/24: Turf Replacement: Town Owns Project, Grass Unlikely
At the 12/16 joint SB/SC/FinCom meeting, we heard from Town Manager Kerry Lafluer on turf replacement at the Doug White fields (at CCHS). The TOWN is managing this project and there is $1.55M already earmarked for (only) artificial turf replacement from a private group. SB Member Cameron McKennitt suggested fast-tracking the project and several members of the public spoke for and against. It is NOT expected that this will be a Town Meeting issue or that any vote will occur. The SC is hopeful that the project can be completed quickly (this summer?), so as to avoid disruption of community and student use of the fields and/or injuries caused by the deteriorated turf. Bridge coverage.
12/17/24: CCHS Amenities Building: Costs Are Down
Bridge coverage here. The unheated, unlit rented porta-potties at our High School fields are an eyesore, are out of code, and violate basic ADA mandates. They have cost Concord taxpayers about $100K in rental fees alone. Last year, under pressure, the SC withdrew the $2.3M funding request to replace them with a real building. The SC is tackling this again and there is good news. Costs have come DOWN and, at the 12/10 SC meeting, we learned that the Community Preservation Committee has $3M is un-allocated funds they could use to help offset taxpayer burden (half if which is State matching funds). The SC voted to move ahead with a design option with an estimated cost of $1.5-$1.8M. Modular or temporary options would cost more. The FinCom is seeking feedback from the public on this issue. Please email the FinCom at finance@concordma.gov to express your support for real bathrooms at the CCHS fields.
12/12/24: FinCom Sets Guidelines, Signals Cooperation, New Tone
We watched the November 21 FinCom meeting where they presented detailed analysis of the projected 2026 budget needs of CPS, CCHS and the Town. Please watch it here. While they FinCom voted for a 2.44% overall preliminary guideline that will require tightening of a lot of belts if it holds, the positive, cooperative "tone and tenor" of the meeting was/is a new, refreshing change. The SC mentioned this change and the feeling of cooperation and good communication at their 12/10 meeting. FinCom leadership should be commended.
12/12/24: CMS Solar Will Be Delayed
This is a town/CMLP project and CMLP Director Jason Bulger presented an update to the SC at the 12/10 meeting. Watch it here. It seems, if CMLP installs rooftop and canopy, the solar energy output at CMS would be more than the school needs and this could cause grid problems. Batteries at or near CMS could store power, but this raises safety/fire concerns. Also, installing panels on the new school’s roof could damage/penetrate the roof membrane/seal and void the construction warranty. $7.5 was voted-for by taxpayers for this, but it sounds like the school will open with none of this resolved and decisions/a plan are a long way off. Again, solar at CMS is a CMLP project run by the town, NOT the schools.
8/28/24: Boston Magazine: CCHS Ranked 5th out of 150 Area Schools, Message From Dr. Hunter
The public high school rankings are out and CCHS is in the 97% percentile of 150 Boston-area schools, scoring a #5 ranking! CCHS ranked higher than nearby Wellesley, Lexington, Hingham, Acton, Bedford, Winchester and Brookline. Last year, CCHS was ranked 28th, due to some faulty reporting of numbers. Congrats to all-involved.
Also, check out this great piece in the Bridge by Dr. Hunter. She speaks of the progress being made on the Ellen Garrison Building. "The middle school is thrilled to open the new building, The Ellen Garrison Building at Concord Middle School. Both logistic and academic goals are set for a smooth transition later in the year and to realize the team model. I am furthering our work with The Robbins House and the Stand Up For Ellen group to hold a dedication ceremony."
8/19/24: UPDATE: Attempt to Change Middle School Building Committee Charter: Request For Re-Installation Withdrawn
On Monday 8/19, the SB disclosed that the person who petitioned the SB to re-install him back on the CMSBC withdrew that request. As such, the matter was not acted upon by the SB.
8/15/24: The middle school building committee (CMSBC) met August 15 and, after discussion, voted 9:2 on a motion telling the SB that they do NOT want the committee expanded and a person added. Not a single member spoke about any "skill gap" that would warrant a charter change (to add someone) and many said the committee was running very well/smoothly as-is. Also, it was clarified that ALL CMSBC members past and present will be honored at ceremonies, etc.
While the SB has the authority to change this important committee's charter and install someone on it "by decree", the message sent (and vote) seemed clear. The SB meets on Monday night 8/19 and will take up this issue. Agenda and zoom link. We hope the CMSBC the vote/message given will be taken into account.
8/11/24: Select Board Attempts to Change Middle School Building Committee Charter to Install a Specific Person
Apparently, an item was added to the July 22 SB Meeting consent agenda to change the charter of the CMS Building Committee (CMSBC). Mark Martines of the group "Citizens For Improved Concord Town Government"addresses this in a letter (link). It seems the chairs of the CMSBC and some on the SB were caught unaware. Apparently, when asked, SB Clerk Mark Howell said the goal was to change the charter to reinstall Court Booth back on the CMSBC, based on a request by Court Booth and yet this was not raised as "new business" by Mark Howell at a CMSBC meeting that occurred prior to the 7/22 SB meeting. Court was the CMSBC SC liaison but rolled off when he left the SC. New SC member Andrew Herchek is the new SC liaison. Apparently the SB will not publish Mark's letter, even though it is public record. Please read the letter and try to join the next CMSBC meeting this Thurs August 15 (7:30 AM), as they will be addressing this matter (Zoom link/agenda).
We are still learning all the details, but we believe any change to an important school-related Committee Charter should be made public and citizens should be invited to express interest if a new slot is opened, that Andrew Herchek should have the space/respect to represent his views, and that all-impacted should be included in discussions, especially when it involves adding someone to a Committee "by decree", and NOT based on a (any) need expressed by the Committee.
8/11/24: Middle School Re-Naming: Collaboration Signaled
Dr. Hunter and two members of the Stand Up For Ellen group had a seemingly positive and constructive July 11 meeting to discuss where things stand. This commentary was sent out by Stand Up For Ellen to their group, after the meeting: "Jen Turner and Michael Williams held their first collaboration meeting with Laurie Hunter today to discuss ways to work together to continue to pursue our goal of honoring Ellen Garrison in a manner that is equal to other luminaries of our town. According to both Jen and Michael it was a productive, collaborative meeting and they left feeling hopeful about the work ahead at honoring Ellen in the new school...and beyond." This seems a very good sign that compromise and collaboration will win the day.
7/5/24: FinCom Begins Guideline Process: New Leadership, New Tone
We are pleased to see that the FinCom is seeking to smooth the guideline process and seems to be striking a notably new cooperative and transparent tone. The recognition that the 2025 enrollment shift for the schools could have and should have been factored into (adjusted) guideline numbers (so yet another Town Meeting approval of funding over the guideline could have been avoided) is refreshing. The uniform treatment of capital improvement funding for the town and schools is also a positive development. Read more here.
Compromise:"The Ellen Garrison Building", at CMS
SC Vote: On Tuesday 5/21, the School Committee "reached for compromise" on the school-naming controversy and voted for the "Ellen Garrison Building", at the Concord Middle School. Read full Bridge Coverage here.
Select Board Vote: On Friday 5/24, the SB voted unanimously to remove the (non-binding) question regarding the middle school name proposed for a June 25th special election ballot. “The School Committee did take action..They reconsidered the middle school name and chose to recognize Ellen Garrison by naming the building. In doing so, I believe they have fulfilled their obligation to take Town Meeting’s recommendation into account.” -Mark Howell Concord Select Board (DEI Commission Liaison) Read full Bridge Coverage here.
To learn more about Concord's early role in the abolitionist movement and Ellen Garrison click here.
April 2024 Town Meeting Recap:
1) CCHS Budget: On Night 1, Warrant Article 20, the reasonable, lean 2025 CCHS Budget was PASSED by a wide margin, over the objection of the FinCom and SB (again). You can watch the actual vote happen here. Another win for our schools and for our town. Bridge Coverage.
2) Middle School Re-Naming: On Night 2, Warrant Article 22 (DEI Commission asks the SC to re-name the Concord Middle School the Ellen Garrison Middle School) PASSED by a wide margin. Bridge Coverage.
(There was an attempt at compromise made, via a Motion to Amend the warrant to ask the SC to honor Ellen Garrison in other ways, including by not limited to naming the main school building for Ellen Garrison. This motion was seconded and debated, but failed. You can read it and watch the presentation here.)
4/30/24: Reasonable CCHS Budget PASSED!
At Town Meeting 4/29, the reasonable UNDER guideline CCHS budget presented by our School Committee and Superintendent was PASSED.
Background: The FinCom 2025 guideline (a recommendation) for our Schools is a 3.26% increase, in a 3% inflationary environment (a flat budget). After cuts and a lot of work by Dr. Hunter and her team, CCHS is actually under it, at 3.08%. However an enrollment shift (traditionally not included in the Guideline calculation) meant less money from Carlisle and moved the CCHS budget total just $150K over, on the total amount.
The FinCom recommended a NO vote at Town Meeting on the CCHS budget, and the LWV and SB agreed with this position. Also note: Generally speaking, the "tone and tenor" of FinCom meetings with the SC and or Superintendent have been acrimonious, with interruptions and "talking over" the Superintendent common. Dr. Hunter references this in a new memo, expressing her frustration with the lack of support. If you watch this 2/15 meeting, you will see the FinCom Chair start the meeting by unexpectedly presenting slides depicting the schools in a negative light. Some have commented that this is well-outside the purview of the FinCom.
5/4/24: TM Article 22: Middle School (Re)Naming
In December, 2023 the town’s volunteer DEI Commission put forth a TM warrant (22) “urging” the selection of Ellen Garrison as the name of the new middle school. Read more here. The School Committee initiated a public process, and received over 300 letters/emails and 22 unique submissions for names and voted on Feb 6, 2024 to retain the current name – “The Concord Middle School". While 10 out of 15 spoke in favor of Ellen Garrison at the in-person 2/6 meeting, 160 letters/emails were received supporting CMS while 94 favored Ellen Garrison, according to the SC. Almost 70% of students surveyed support retaining CMS as the name, along with the CMS Principal and our school DEIB Director. Read more here. Superintendent Hunter supports this name as the culmination of 3+ years of effort to unify the 2 old middle schools - read her statement here.
The opinion of town counsel is that the SC has the sole right to name the school. You can read it here.The SB voted 4:1 to recommend affirmative action on Article 22 at TM. SB Chair Henry Dane asserted this matter should not be before Town Meeting, but was overruled.
4/3/24: Facilities/Bathrooms Warrant At CCHS Field PULLED
Background: The Joint CC School Committee voted 10/7/23 5 to 0 (Booth and Rainey abstained) to advance a $2.3M warrant article for the 2024 Town Meeting to replace the rented porta-potties and design and build a suitable facility (that was not completed 10 years ago), with costs split 3:1 between Concord and Carlisle. Read More The SB and FinCom signaled that they would NOT support this warrant. A risk of waiting is that costs will continue to rise (making the ask harder next year). There could be ADA complaints or plumbing code violations cited. Here is the excellent presentation by SC Chair Tracey Marano: Watch.
Breaking News: Following community input and the Superintendent's advice, the School Committee has withdrawn the facilities warrant to refine the scope/proposal, including design, renderings, and budget, for future consideration.
Poor Cell Service Is A School Safety Issue
School safety is paramount and the KNOWN issue of poor cell service is a potential disaster waiting to happen. The Concord SB needs to unblock the logjam and provide adequate cell service to cover the town (including CCHS), as a matter of school safety and basic common sense.
Superintendent Hunter Commended for Leadership
“Communication and engagement is where Dr. Hunter truly sets herself apart as a leader,” the report reads, “she is widely respected across the Concord, Carlisle and Boston communities. She has worked tirelessly to build strong relationships with families and key stakeholders across the communities.” Read More.
Please Consider Donating To The Hugh Cargill Trust
Funds are needed to help qualified Concord homeowners pay their tax bills. Please consider making a donation to this trust, to help those in Concord who qualify shoulder the burden of the tax increase associated with the new middle school. Learn More.
"School is a building which has four walls with tomorrow inside."
Lon Watters
Upcoming Meetings/Events
"Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world."
Nelson Mandela