MEDFORD — In the wake of parent outrage over an ammunition clip found in a school auditorium, city officials cancelled classes for students on Monday, Feb. 26 to review and engage in providing instruction and information on school safety.
The city of Medford released the following statement Thursday at 1:45 p.m.;
“As many of you know, during the past few days there has been a significant amount of community discussion and concern about safety in the Medford Public Schools.
A decision was made that classes for students have been cancelled and faculty (including paraprofessionals) will engage in professional development specific to school and safety concerns on Monday, February 26, 2018.
Medford Public Schools will resume classes on Tuesday, February 27, 2018.”
Mayor Stephanie M. Burke has been at the forefront of the ammunition clip’s discovery seven weeks ago and news that the discovery was not reported.
At a press conference Wednesday, Burke expressed outrage and disbelief that neither she nor Police Chief Leo Sacco Jr. were notified of the incident.
McGlynn School Principal Jake Edwards, has been placed on paid administrative leave in connection with the incident. Former state Attorney General Martha Coakley, now with a top-shelf Boston law firm, has been retained to conduct an independent investigation for the city. Medford Police is also in the midst of its own investigation.
Medford coordinated an intensive, exhaustive search of all of the city’s schools this week in response to the discovery, which was revealed a week after the Parkland, Florida school shooting that left 17 dead.
Public statements made this week revealed the clip was found in the McGlynn Middle School on December 29, 2017 by a private cleaning firm employee, under a seat in the school’s theater. The employee took a photo of the clip and handed it over to a school custodian.
Belson appeared before the Medford City Council and Medford School Committee this week to face public criticism mixed with statements of confidence in his leadership.
