Murphy Announces Campaign for School Committee

Hello my name is Chris Murphy and it is with great pleasure that I announce to the great citizens of this city my candidacy for the Medford School Committee. I will bring a unique perspective to decision-making due to my experiences taking the MCAS, utilizing special education services, participating in various community organizations and having spent my entire life in this city. While there have been many great upgrades and program expansions in our schools, we need to continue to ensure that our schools are preparing students for our fast-paced, ever-changing world.

My wife and I were both raised in Medford. My family is no stranger to service in Medford. This includes, my grandfather and uncle retiring after decades at the Department of Public Works while Caitlin’s grandfather retired from the Medford Fire Department. I am beyond proud of these roots and the stories that people stop and share with me. I look forward to adding to the nearly 110 years of service my families have contributed to the City of Medford.

I am a proud graduate of the Medford High school Class of 2004. I am currently employed at Hallmark Health Systems based here in Medford. I am married to my wife Caitlin (Morgan) who is also an elementary school teacher. I have had the honor of being involved in many organizations in Medford from my time as an Eagle Scout to my current role on the Medford Senior Football Board. All of these experiences have taught me the skills of leadership, organization, fundraising, budgeting and how to interact with different types of people on a daily basis. I truly believe that all I have learned has made me ready to become a member of the Medford School Committee.

Technology upgrades at Medford High School in 2012 enabled our educators and students to more easily integrate technology into their curriculum. We need to build off of this and provide our teachers with the continual tools and professional development they need to most successfully utilize these assets. Better utilizing this technology will allow teachers to craft interactive lessons that will better support our students in furthering their understandings of how to use technology that will continue to be present in their everyday lives.

Similarly, there have been many great things that have been going on in the Medford Vocational Technical High School since my last campaign. Great new programs have been added to the school and my hat goes off to the administration and staff of the MVTHS. I would like to see the school committee take a look at drawing up a long term plan for the MVTHS that would include the addition of new programs as well as looking at any necessary building upgrades. I would like this to be a joint venture between the school committee, vocational staff and as well as trade unions and local business owners. Since vocational schools are becoming more desirable amongst students, it is time to really give some attention to our programs and remain in high demand.

Our custodial staff does a wonderful job at the routine maintenance of our schools. However, our elementary and middle schools are now approaching 15 years old. We need to make sure we are keeping up with the major maintenance of these buildings in order to preserve their functionality for future generations and to minimize future costly repairs.

It is essential to educate our young children on the problems the state is facing with the increase in drug related deaths. A collaboration between the Medford Police Department, District Attorney and other various health and civic groups could better support our students so they can remain drug free while in school as well as after graduation.

Over the next several months I look forward to walking the streets of this city that I love and meeting its residents to listen to the concerns they have for its schools. I look forward to working together with all to make Medford the standard of education across this great state.

I am proud to have been raised here, I am proud to have been educated here, and this November I hope to be proud to represent all of you on the Medford School Committee.

I respectfully ask for one of your 6 votes for the Medford School Committee this November and thank you for your time. If you need to contact me I can be reached at chrisamurphy@gmail.com or 781-858-9296 or visit me on the web at www.murphyformedford.com.

– Submitted by Chris Murphy