Please note: the Medford Public Schools are open on Thursday, September 8, 2016
To: Parents/Guardians
From: Roy E. Belson, Superintendent
Re: Primary Election Day and School Security
Date: September 6, 2016
This year the state primary election will be held on Thursday, September 8, 2016. Five of our schools are designated polling sites. Our schools will remain open on that date. The City Clerk does not expect a heavy turnout (15%). The School Administration working cooperatively with the City Clerk and the Medford Police Department have taken multiple steps to ensure that voter activity is separated from student interaction.
Please note the following:
- Entrances and exits to school based polling sites will be designated exclusively for that purpose. Voters will not use any entrance or exit that the students use on that day.
- The actual voting site will be shut off from the rest of the school.
- Medford Police will be stationed at each polling site.
- Medford Police Traffic Supervisors will monitor vehicles at each site.
- Regular Medford Public Schools security personnel will be stationed at student entrances and our Raptor ID system will be employed.
- We have held primary and special elections on school days before and have not experienced any issues.
- The regular election in November will be a “no school day.” Turnout for a Presidential election is much higher.
- Parent/Guardians of students attending a school/polling site may elect to keep their child/youth at home. Absences will be excused if a note from the Parent/Guardian is submitted to the Principal’s office.
Our goal is to keep schools opened with significant security measures in place. There are many parents who have to work on that day and require coverage. Also there are many students who participate in breakfast and lunch at school. Nevertheless, we recognize that attendance on September 8, 2016 is a parental choice.
Please note the specific locations at each school/polling site below.
Thank you for your review of this plan.
Andrews Middle: Gymnasium. Side Entrance directly into the Gym.
Roberts Elementary: Tainter St. Entrance directly into the parent/teacher conference room. Voters do not pass by any classrooms.
Columbus Elementary: Classroom 113 direct entry and exit. No use of the main door
Brooks Elementary: Auburn St. entrance and exit. Parent Center. Students will use Allston St. Buss drop off will be monitored by staff.
McGlynn School: Voter entrance at side door into school auditorium. No use of any other door. Voting contained in school auditorium.