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Concord Community for
GREAT SCHOOLS

NEW: August 2026 Newsletter

Next SC Meeting Sept 9 at Ripley 6:00PM

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.

Take Action

Make a Difference

Be Informed

9/9/26: "Superintendent: As schools open, we focus on inclusion, well-being, and academic rigor"

As reported in The Concord Bridge. "Our commitment to anti-hate is a priority. This year, all CCHS students will attend an assembly from The No Hate Tour. Student affinity groups such as the Black Student Union, Jewish Student Union, and many others are flourishing. The group presidents gather to discuss the challenges and hopes for the school climate.

CMS will again host The Playbook Initiative, an anti-bias program. Students are actively engaged in being upstanders and role models, and in addressing issues when they see them. Ultimately, the goal is for all students to feel that they belong in the schools."

8/26: CCHS Amenities Building Contract Awarded – Project Moving Ahead

Thanks to Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds allocated for this project by the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) and grants, the School Committee awarded a contract for the bathroom building – with no impact to taxpayers. The CPA helps communities preserve open space and historic resources, create affordable housing, and develop outdoor recreational facilities to benefit the public. Want to learn more? Click here. See coverage of the awarding of the contract in the Concord Bridge here.

7/26: New Climate and Culture SC Working Group Formed to Address Bias and Hate

As reported in the Concord Bridge, “A new working group will recommend how the Concord-Carlisle Regional District School Committee monitors school cultural climate and the district’s efforts to address bias and hate.”

“While acknowledging the seriousness of bias incidents, (Andrew) Nyamekye said the district has made significant progress in creating an environment where students, families, and staff feel comfortable reporting them.” “We have truly changed the culture,” he said.

6/30/26: Principal Cameron Takes New Position in Ashland

From Principal Cameron: "I wanted to share with you that I have accepted a central office leadership position with Ashland Public Schools, where I will help lead their Student Services and Special Education. After 15 years as a middle school principal—nine of them here at Concord Middle School—it is time for me to begin a new chapter in my career."

6/15/26: SC Elects New Chairs

As reported in the Concord Bridge; "The Concord-Carlisle Regional District School Committee has elected Brian Waterson chair and Tracey Marano vice chair. The K-8 Concord School Committee elected Sandeep Pisharody chair and Andrew Herchek vice chair at the June 3 joint meeting."

6/4/26: CMLP Says Solar Moving Forward at CMS

As reported in the Concord Bridge; "Despite not winning a state grant, plans are moving ahead with the rooftop solar project at the Ellen Garrison Building at Concord Middle School. Concord Municipal Light Plant Director Jason Bulger says CMLP is pursuing a private financing arrangement that could allow construction to begin this summer."

6/2/26: Parent Concerns Over Use of Technology Grow

Increasingly, parents/caregivers are concerned about the use of technology and devices in our schools and voicing these concerns at SC meetings. Several advocacy groups have been formed, as the State works out the best way to implement a recently-passed bell to bell cell phone ban. The SC is working on the issue, while also seeking state guidance from DESE on the way the new policy should be implemented.

The Concord Bridge covered this issue recently and you can read more here.

5/1/26: Town Meeting: Amenities at Memorial Fields: Funded

At town meeting, even with support from the Select Board and the FinCom and the DEI Commission, there was an attempt to remove the funding for the amenities building at CCHS from the CPC warrant article 26. After so much work by so many over so many years, this would have been unfortunate. The motion to amend was defeated by a wide margin and the original warrant then passed by a wide margin, funding the project with a grant from the Community Preservation Act, at no incremental impact to taxpayers. It seems that, after 10+ years or rented plastic porta-potties, there will finally be sanitary, ADA compliant toilets at this community-use facility.

From the Bridge, "The new building will replace portable restrooms at the high school and bring CCHS’ Memorial Field stadium into compliance with state plumbing code and the Americans with Disabilities Act, officials say.

Supporters beat back a last-minute amendment to strip bathroom funding out of the article. On his way out, voter Matt Kilmartin called the current situation an “embarrassment to our town” and told The Bridge he’s glad the article for Concord’s $1.4 million share of the project passed."

4/15/26: April Newsletter

Please take a minute to read our April Newsletter, featuring school related updates and happenings: Link

2/26/26: SC Highlights, Michael Williams Honored

The 2/25 SC meeting (CPS) included, among other topics:

Dr. Michael Williams is being honored with a Black Excellence on the Hill award at the State House 2/27.
An update from CMLP on the solar project at CMS. Many complexities, but continued cooperation and coordination and support expressed. New grant applied for by the schools to help offset cost/taxpayer impact.
Initial strong support for a proposed plan for a new path to connect the Ellen Garrison Building to the rail trail.
A Valentines Day project from/by 5th graders to local seniors covered on local TV.
A search process update for a new Willard Principal.
And more... You can watch the meeting here.

2/13/26: From the Bridge: "School Committee Member Cautions Colleagues Against ‘Weaponizing Rules’"

From the Bridge: "A routine review of a prior meeting’s minutes turned into accusations of silencing of voices at the School Committee meeting on February 4." Please read the Bridge article here.

At the February 4 SC meeting, what occurred at the January 21 meeting was discussed, and was a topic covered in public comment and during the approval of the Jan 21 minutes. You can watch that here.

3/18/26: March CCGS Newsletter Out

Please take a minute to read our March Newsletter, featuring school related updates and happenings: Link

2/9/26: Tracey Marano Honored With Opening Night Dedication

Friday February 6 was the opening night of the Middle School Musical Frozen Jr., the first performance in the new auditorium of the Ellen Garrison Building. The performance was dedicated to Tracey Marano and the dedication below was included with the program and read by Principal Cameron.

1/23/26: Election Season Update

"The March ballot will include single vacancies on the Select Board, School Committee, and Housing Authority... Unlike in 2025, candidates have been slower to publicly declare plans this season. Some observers worry hard-hitting politics might be discouraging potential hopefuls. As of press time, education technology executive Drew Magliozzi had announced a run for the School Committee..." Read more in the Bridge here.

1/16/26: SC Budget: Layoffs Coming, Taxpayer Savings

"Regional School Committee Chair Tracey Marano said the budget “ensures that programs and services for CCHS students are maintained at levels that meet student need” and the cuts will create “budget savings that are passed on to taxpayers in Carlisle and Concord.”

1/1/26: CCHS Amenities Building Wins Concord Approvals

12/11/25: CPC Votes to Fund the CCHS Amenities Building, Public Works Approves Sewer Hookup

With a December 2, 2025 vote of 8:1 (1 abstention), the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) voted to fund the asked-for $1.4M cost of the CCHS proposed Amenities Building, contingent upon the approval of the sewer hookup by the Public Works Commission on Dec 11. It was disclosed that CCHS is only using 12% of its permitted sewer flow, so the addition of the flow from the amenities building should still be far-below the total threshold. The CPC was able to fund all the requests it got. You can watch the discussion and vote here. You can read about the CPC here.

Also, on December 11, the Public Works Commission OK'd the sewer hookup by unanimous vote.

11/23/25: Ellen Garrison Building Wins Sustainability Award

“On behalf of our jury, we are proud to present the Merit and Sustainability Award to the Ellen Garrison Building at Concord Middle School...What truly distinguished the project was its deep connection to nature. The building’s orientation and massing invite daylight and views into learning spaces, while outdoor classrooms and landscaped courtyards extend education into the natural environment. The use of natural materials and thoughtful site integration foster a sense of tactile and ecological learning, making this building not only a model of sustainability, but a nurturing and inspiring place for students.”

Jury Comments, The American Institute of Architects, Philadelphia Chapter

11/9/25: Middle School Community Event Celebrates Ellen Garrison

On Tuesday November 4, a cross-section of the community gathered at the middle school to learn about and honor namesake Ellen Garrison, in partnership with The Robbins House. As reported in the Bridge, Superintendent Hunter announced the event at an October 22 SC meeting, saying, the district takes “really seriously the importance of Ellen Garrison’s meaning to this community.”

The event kicked off with middle school student leaders from the Playbook Initiative sharing facts about Ellen's life. A video about Ellen Garrison's life was then shown, followed by a powerful reading of some of Ellen's letters by Victoria Lee, an actor and ABA tutor. The event concluded with a Q&A session with Robbins House Executive Director Jenn Turner. Even the evening's youngest, elementary aged participants asked questions demonstrating how engaging the session was. The Robbins House helped to promote the event, saying, "This all-ages event—open to all schools in the Concord-Carlisle school district and the Concord and Boston communities—promises an engaging celebration of history, activism, and unity".

The short film Ellen Garrison: Scenes From An Activist's Life was shown. Please watch the trailer below.

11/4/25: "Residents lined up to express effusive support for Superintendent Laurie Hunter at the October 22 School Committee meeting" (read more)

10/24/25: A Statement from the Town Manager

"The Town of Concord stands united in rejecting the recent anonymous and targeted displays directed at the Superintendent of Schools, acts that violate our community’s core values of respect and civility. These actions are not expressions of free speech; they are acts of intimidation and harassment that have no place in our community. The Town stands united in its belief that all public servants have the right to carry out their responsibilities free from fear, harassment, or intimidation".

10/24/25: A Message from the School Committee

This morning, several more scarecrow-like objects were found around Concord. These acts are disturbing and uncivil.

The Concord and Concord-Carlisle School Committees stand firmly with Superintendent Laurie Hunter. She is a dedicated leader who continues to serve our students, staff and families with professionalism and care despite these repeated attempts to intimidate her and others in our school community. We continue to call on the residents of Concord to reject this behavior and to report suspicious activities to the police department. We are strongest when we are able to engage respectfully, disagree constructively and work together in the best interests of our children. These acts, though they are repeating and escalating, should not represent who we are as a community here in Concord. We will continue to stand together against intimidation and in support of the educators and leaders who serve our school community every day. With resolve, Tracey Marano, Andrew Herchek

10/23/25: A second, new"scarecrow" found in Concord, "targeting Superintendent Laurie Hunter"

Unfortunately, over the weekend, a second “scarecrow” “display” was placed “targeting Superintendent Laurie Hunter”, this time on SC Chair Tracey Marano’s street. According to the Bridge, the “scarecrow” figure was hung on crosspieces, with spray paint on the front that said “Fire Liar Hunter”. A sign on the other side said, in part, “Hatchets for Hunter!”. Images were apparently shared by neighbor Denise Jantzen who found the “display” and took pictures and called the police. Full Bridge coverage.

10/10/25: Letter: Treat our public officials with respect

"The challenges facing Concord are real. Meeting legal requirements, protecting accessibility, and addressing community concerns is not easy. But the way we talk about these challenges matters. If our rhetoric in Concord begins to mirror the toxic climate in Washington, D.C., we will all be poorer for it. Concord thrives when we debate passionately yet respectfully, when we challenge one another without tearing each other down. Let’s recognize the good faith of those who serve and work together to solve problems, rather than undermine the process with baseless accusations."

-Letter To The Concord Bridge (Link).

9/23/25: A Statement from the SC Chairs

September 23, 2025

To the Community,

On Monday morning, a scarecrow was found in Concord Center with a message containing demeaning language toward Superintendent Laurie Hunter. The Concord Police Department has been notified and is investigating.

This act crosses a line away from civility, to a much uglier and more dangerous place. As we have stated numerous times around a number of issues of late, there is no room for hate, harassment or intimidation in our community.

Public service depends on having a corps of people willing to lead and be held accountable through lawful and civil means. It does not require them to endure threats (implied, veiled or direct), targeted abuse, or attacks on their character.

We are writing as your elected School Committee Chairs to say two things plainly: First, the School Committees condemn this act in the strongest possible terms. Second, the Districts and we, the School Committee Chairs, stand with our dedicated Superintendent as she reports for work day-in and day-out as the head of one of the highest performing school districts, not merely in Massachusetts but indeed in the nation.

We welcome criticism and debate over policies, budgets and individual decisions. There should be a frank and open dialogue on the issues. There should not, however, be any room in Concord for attacks on people. We will take any steps necessary to protect staff and to ensure those responsible are held accountable.

We must shame this behavior, not normalize it. We will stand for community standards of decency, and we will not sit still when those standards are forgotten.

Concord and Concord-Carlisle are stronger when conversations about our schools are focused on facts, on policy, and on the best interests of our children. This has not been an easy year for our community, but if we are to heal the divide, we must recommit ourselves to that standard now.

With resolve,

Tracey Marano

Chair, Concord-Carlisle Regional School District School Committee

Andrew Herchek

Chair, Concord Public Schools School Committee

News Coverage

9/15/25: Speakers Support Dr. Hunter/SC at Meeting, Letters

On September 10th, during the public comment portion of the School Committee meeting, speakers expressed support for our Superintendent and our SC, a notably change in tone from assertions of systemic failure by speakers at the August 20th meeting. No student should feel unsafe in our schools. No resident should be persecuted for who they are or what they believe.

Check out these Bridge letters, suggesting forward-looking solutions, versus retribution: Letter 1, Letter 2, Letter 3.

8/18/25: "Found" 2024 Money, Town CFO’s Imposed Leave, Whistleblower Filing, Threat of Lawsuit (Updated 9/15)

At a May 22 FinCom meeting (watch), Concord's CFO Anthony Ansaldi reported that about $6M (10%+ of the Town budget) was "found" on the 2024 books, unspent, by a firm hired to help close out the fiscal year. Shortly thereafter, according to the Bridge, when "Ansaldi spoke out against financial practices and orders...the town served him with...an “involuntary separation agreement.” Read more here in the Bridge. He has since been fired.

Why is this relevant regarding the schools? Because of the pattern of intense fiscal scrutiny toward school budgets and because voters just rejected borrowing $1.4M for bathrooms at CCHS fields. Perhaps this free, unspent cash from 2024 could be used to offset taxpayer impact? This letter in the Bridge speaks to the general impact of this "discovery".

6/6/25: ARTICLE 13: Amenities Building PASSES at TM, 72% Yes

A big thank you to the 72% who voted YES! While it is a shame that the Concord Preservation Committee (CPC) twice voted not to consider/fund this with available monies (out of cycle,) and we think the use of part of $6 million in newly discovered funds unspent from the 2024 town budget (!!) should have been ruled in-scope by the Town Moderator (to avoid any borrowing or taxpayer impact altogether), we are pleased that this PASSED and it seems Concord will finally have bathrooms after a decade of being out of code for wheelchair users at the CCHS fields. The special ballot vote also needs to pass and will be August 19. Please mark your calendars. Bridge Coverage.

Background: The unheated, unlit rented porta-potties at our High School fields are an eyesore, are out of code, and violate the law (ADA). 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 bathroom building. The SC is tackling this again this year and there is good news. Costs have come DOWN and the ask on this years warrant article is from Concord was $1.4M, with $400K already committed by Carlisle. Learn more from this FAQ sheet from the SC here.

5/26/25: New K-8 Cell Phone Policy Voted In

Concord Public Schools Student Cell Phone and Smart Watch Use Policy

Concord Public Schools prohibits student use of cell phones and smart watches during academic hours, defined as the time from the first bell to the last bell of the school day, including class periods, lunch, and transition times.

Students must not be able to access their cell phones or smart watches during these hours while on campus. Exceptions will be made only with administrative approval based on individual needs.

The policy does not apply to school-sponsored events or activities outside of academic hours, such as athletic events, dances, transportation to and from school, or off-campus trips, where usage will be left to the discretion of the principal or administrative designee. All disciplinary decisions and enforcement related to this policy will be determined by school administration.

4/7/25: Issues We Are Watching

Here are some of the education-related issues we are tracking, not in any particular order. A reminder that our goal is to inform and educate busy parents (and all Concordians). We realize that not everyone has the time (or energy) to do this.

Literacy: We are following the roll out of the district’s new curriculum and the impact for students with language-based disabilities.

Continued METCO Progress: A new METCO SC Rep has volunteered. New coordinators appointed.

Update on the Ellen Garrison Building at CMS: The project remains under budget and on-schedule. Auditorium nearly done. Permanent signage installed. The ribbon cutting ceremony is set for May 3! More asap.

Cell Phone Use: Most parents support a “bell to bell” ban, as the perils of social/phone use are increasingly understood. Student mental health tie-in. Mass AG “STUDY Act” legislation pending.

The Role of AI and a Digital Policy: A committee has been formed to study and make recs.

CMLP Solar at the new Ellen Garrison Building: Looks like rooftop solar array is a go!... pending agreement with Town for installation and management/maintenance, etc.

New Amenities Building at CCHS Memorial Fields: June warrant article details being finalized. FAQ sheet soon. Funding questions remain (CPC funds in the Fall? Carlisle % and their earlier town warrant vote).

Turf Replacement at the Doug White Fields: Town owns this project, moving ahead, using Concord Plays funds.

Playground Access and Inclusiveness: Addressing caregiver concerns. Design process ongoing for new privately funded Thoreau playground project.

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.

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

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.

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.

"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