Meet School Committee candidate Nicole Branley

How many years have you lived in Medford?
I am a lifelong Medford resident, nearing the 50-year mark here in our beloved city. I grew up in South Medford where my family still resides in a home that has been in our family for over one hundred years. I now reside in West Medford with my two children, our dog and fish. My daughter, Jaclyn, is an MHS/MVTHS Class of 2025 graduate and has just started college. My son, Dominick, is a sophomore at MHS/MVTHS studying in the electrical program. 

Professional background and education.|What, if any, city positions have you held, and or for how long?
I am a proud graduate of the Medford High School Class of 1994. I graduated from Bay State College with a degree in office administration. I currently work as an administrative assistant in the Special Education Department for Somerville Public Schools. I am a current member of the Medford School Committee and am running again as an independent candidate for my second term. I am proud to have taken my grassroots campaign to a victory in 2023 and want to continue to work with all sides for the betterment of our schools. I worked six years as a kindergarten aide/paraprofessional at the Brooks Elementary School here in Medford. For many years, I was blessed to be a stay-at-home mom and became a Hall of Fame cake decorator for Wilton Industries and fondly earned the name "the cake lady."

 What volunteer roles have you participated in that you feel have made a difference in Medford?
I currently serve as a Board Member for Mit4Kids where we believe every child belongs. Our mission is dedicated to empowering the community by providing a platform to honor and celebrate children with physical and mental challenges along with their families through special events. We recently held our first golf tournament to raise money for our holiday party where we joined forces with the Medford Family Network. 

Why should residents vote for you?
I believe all voices should be heard and in voting for me I will ensure your needs and concerns are heard and advocated for. Every elected official should walk into City Hall with the city's needs at the forefront of their thoughts, it's not about us. I believe I am the vessel for our students, families, staff and citizen's needs to be advocated for. I feel this position is a true honor and I take it seriously and lead with my heart. I work hard listening to our residents' concerns no matter where I am, via emails, texts and phone calls. I truly believe this job is a 24/7 position and I step up no matter time or day. 

Tell us …

 Why are you running or running again for School Committee, what changes do you believe you can facilitate?
I am running again for School Committee because I feel there is still important work to be done. Over the past term I have seen how much we can accomplish when we listen to each other and keep our focus on what is best for our students. I want to continue building on that progress. My priority is to keep encouraging a spirit of collaboration between the committee, our schools, and our families. When we work together with trust and respect, we give our teachers the support they need, and we give our students the opportunities they deserve. I believe our community is strongest when every voice is heard and we all share in the responsibility of helping our children succeed.

What do you see as the top issue with the School District?
I think the most important issue our district faces right now is finding the right superintendent. We need a leader who will listen, work side by side with our educators and families, and help bring stability and direction to our schools. This is such an important moment because the person we choose will set the tone for how we move forward together. For me, it’s about making sure we have someone who truly cares about our students and is committed to helping them succeed.

With potentially deep cuts in federal funding and a local budget stretched thin - what are your budgeting priorities and how do you propose to make them happen?
With the reality of tight budgets and the constant risk of funding cuts, my focus is on protecting what matters most: making sure our students and teachers have the tools they need to succeed. I believe we need to be thoughtful with every dollar, trimming waste before we ever consider trimming services, and finding new ways to tap into the strength of our community. Just as important, I want families and educators to have a real seat at the table in budget decisions so that together we keep our priorities where they belong—on our kids.

What role should the community play in supporting the education of children?
I’ve always believed that raising and educating our kids is something the whole community shares in. Our schools can’t carry that responsibility by themselves-they need families, neighbors, local groups, and businesses standing alongside them. Sometimes that means showing up at games and performances, other times it’s volunteering, helping out with activities, or filling in where resources fall short. When Medford comes together for our schools, we’re not just supporting classrooms—we’re strengthening our kids and the future of our city.

 What book is currently on your nightstand?
Well, I'll be honest, if I read before bed, it usually means I'm going to fall asleep pretty quickly, so it's taking me a while to read my current nightstand book, “The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins. This book truly offers a mindset change: stop trying to control others to reclaim your own energy. You really can't control other people's behavior but you can certainly control your reaction to it. As I will be celebrating my 50th birthday next year, it's a great book to really dig deep on allowing others to do what they want to do, so you see what they'd rather do.