Local resources have been severely challenged by state cutbacks in aid to education. The state share of our local budget has been reduced from 37.5% to under 25%. Medford and other middleclass communities around the state have lost millions of dollars since the cutbacks in state aid which started in Fiscal 2003. There has also been a reduction in Federal aid since the inception of No Child Left Behind legislation. Medford has been very resourceful and has not made the major cuts in education programming and services that are typical of other area communities. We have generated creative revenue and obtained additional grants to keep programs in place. We have not resorted to extra user fees for services like transportation and Kindergarten like so many other cities and towns. We have put in many partnerships with groups across the city and area to enhance our capacity to do the best for our students. For example: a construction program with the Laborers Union; Health education programs with Hallmark Health(LMH); Professional development programs with Tufts University and Salem State College. Further, it should not be forgotten that the new schools were built with 90% reimbursement from the state and the remainder paid for by the sale of the old school buildings. Very few communities can claim that type of achievement.
