By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Reading Recap -Reading Recap -
  • Depot Cam
  • Election 2023
    • News
    • Candidates
  • Town Gov’t
    • Community Planning & Development Commission (CPDC)
    • Elder & Human Services
    • Finance Committee (Fincom)
    • Killam School Building Committee
    • Reading Center for Active Living Committee (ReCalc)
    • Reading ARPA Advisory Committee (RAAC)
    • Select Board
    • Symonds Way Exploratory Committee (SWEC)
    • Town Meeting
  • Schools
    • 2022-2023 Calendar
    • School Committee
    • PTO’s
    • Alice M. Barrows Elementary School
    • Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School
    • Birch Meadow Elementary School
    • Reading Memorial High School
    • Rise Preschool
    • J. Warren Killam Elementary School
    • Joshua Eaton Elementary School
    • Walter S. Parker Middle School
    • Wood End Elementary School
  • Shop 01867
  • Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Submit Yours Here
  • More
    • Advertise (Free)New
    • Business of the Week by Empower
    • Cafè ConversationsHot
    • Contact
    • Depot Cam
    • Fundraisers
    • Letter to the Editor
    • News Archives
    • Police/Fire Scanner & Logs
    • Sports (Local)
    • Videos
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Weather
    • Limpy’s AdventuresLimpy’s AdventuresLimpy’s Adventures
Reading: September 8th School Committee Agenda Preview
Sign In
Notification Show More
Latest News
Letter to the Editor Reading Recap
✍️ LTE: Supporting Brian Curry for Board of Library Trustees
Letter to the Editor
Anthony's Roast Beef 216 Main Street, Reading.
💸 Parker PTO Fundraiser 4-8PM @ Anthony’s
Fundraisers Shop 01867
Team 4761 the Robockets robot arm swings up in the pit.
🤖 FRC Team 4761 ‘The Robockets’ Video
Events Videos
SNL Afterschool Sports
🏈 SNL After-School Sports
Sports
✍️ LTE: Bacci, Murphy, McCarthy, Dockser & Haley
Letter to the Editor
Reading Recap -Reading Recap -
  • Depot Cam
  • Election 2023
  • Events
  • Shop 01867
  • Letter to the Editor
  • Select Board
  • School Committee
Search
  • Depot Cam
  • Election 2023
    • News
    • Candidates
  • Town Gov’t
    • Community Planning & Development Commission (CPDC)
    • Elder & Human Services
    • Finance Committee (Fincom)
    • Killam School Building Committee
    • Reading Center for Active Living Committee (ReCalc)
    • Reading ARPA Advisory Committee (RAAC)
    • Select Board
    • Symonds Way Exploratory Committee (SWEC)
    • Town Meeting
  • Schools
    • 2022-2023 Calendar
    • School Committee
    • PTO’s
    • Alice M. Barrows Elementary School
    • Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School
    • Birch Meadow Elementary School
    • Reading Memorial High School
    • Rise Preschool
    • J. Warren Killam Elementary School
    • Joshua Eaton Elementary School
    • Walter S. Parker Middle School
    • Wood End Elementary School
  • Shop 01867
  • Events
    • Events Calendar
    • Submit Yours Here
  • More
    • Advertise (Free)New
    • Business of the Week by Empower
    • Cafè ConversationsHot
    • Contact
    • Depot Cam
    • Fundraisers
    • Letter to the Editor
    • News Archives
    • Police/Fire Scanner & Logs
    • Sports (Local)
    • Videos
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Weather
    • Limpy’s AdventuresLimpy’s AdventuresLimpy’s Adventures
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • News
  • Advertise
© 2022 Reading Recap. All Rights Reserved.
Reading Recap - > News > Town Gov't > School Committee > Killam > September 8th School Committee Agenda Preview
KillamSchool Committee

September 8th School Committee Agenda Preview

Marianne McLaughlin Downing
Last updated: 2022/09/08 at 12:04 AM
Marianne McLaughlin Downing  - Contributing Author Published September 8, 2022
5 Min Read
Public Hearing on Killam
SHARE

PREVIEW OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING ON THURS 9/8/2022 AT 7:30 PM AT READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL (RMHS) LIBRARY – KILLAM SCHOOL BUILDING PUBLIC HEARING

The Reading MA school committee is holding a public hearing on Thursday 9/8/2022 at 7:30 pm at the RMHS library, and the primary focus of this public hearing will be the Killam elementary school project.  The agenda does include approximately 15 minutes for public comment and “reports” from the members and central office staff, with the presentation and info on Killam scheduled to start at 7:45pm and run until 9pm, with time for audience questions.

The packet (link below) includes Killam project information from pages 4-13, and the rest of the packet from pages 14-27 is correspondence. Scroll to the end of this article for a link to the packet and some brief notes describing this correspondence – they appear to be related to topics of possible community interest.

I have included the main Killam points below, which show at a high level, why the Killam project is needed, how MSBA funding works, why the town/schools will be asking town meeting in November 2022 for $2.2 million dollars for a feasibility study, what this study covers, and the other steps in the process, including a timeline.

The many problems with Killam, as listed in the presentation and the memo at pages 12-13 of the packet, include, but are not limited to:

  • Lead in drinking water
  • Lack of ADA compliance in Hi-Def areas, student and staff bathrooms, entrances and exits, cafeteria stage
  • Classroom access requires passing through other classroom
  • Limited electrical and data connections
  • Lack of fire sprinkler system
  • Large scale door and window replacement needed
  • Opportunity for increased sight lines for safety
  • Water infiltration during heavy rain
  • Sightlines to the main doors are poor, presenting a security concern
  • Library is an open space and difficult to use for quiet activities and those requiring a degree of privacy, such as special education or other services
  • Tier 2 supports (such as small reading groups) are taking place in open settings, including hallways.
  • Spaces originally intended for storage have been converted to offices and even learning spaces in some cases.

The memo also explains that:

It could be possible to address some of these deficiencies through smaller renovation projects, but given the scope of the needs, it is likely that any significant renovations would reach a threshold of 20% of the building’s assessed value. This would trigger a number of compliance requirements that are currently grandfathered in (including ADA compliance). As a result, while renovations are a possible outcome of the MSBA process, a new building may be the more likely outcome. 

CORRESPONDENCE NOTES

Additionally, although the topics of the aforementioned correspondence on pages 15-27 are not slated for discussion in this meeting, there may be community members who have much interest in the topics and content of this correspondence: 

  • The correspondence on pages 15-17 relates to a former Reading board of health (BOH) member’s thoughts and recommendations regarding the RPS Covid-19 protocols.
  • The correspondence on pages 18 relates to issues with cell service in the Birch Meadow/RMHS area, especially Verizon service.
  • The correspondence on pages 19-27 relates to concerns by RMHS boys and girls swim team members and families about the assigned times for swim team practice at the Burbank Y, and responses to those concerns from the RMHS principal and the President/CEO of YMCA of Greater Boston. 

HOW TO WATCH THIS MEETING:

This meeting can be accessed multiple ways, including via  Zoom, RCTV YouTube, RCTV local cable access channels (Xfinity CH 99, Verizon CH 32) , and of course, in person. 

LINKS TO PARTICIPATE AND/OR WATCH THIS PUBLIC HEARING:

  • The zoom link for this meeting is here:  https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/81749033302
    The ZOOM Meeting ID: 817 4903 3302
  • RCTV YouTube Channel Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bb1rqkk_EY

You Might Also Like

🎒 March 20th Killam School Building Committee Recap

🏫 March 16th School Committee Agenda Preview

🌨️ Reading Public Schools 2-Hr Early Release

🌨️ Reading Public Schools Open 3/14

🏫 March 2nd School Committee Agenda Preview

TAGGED: Agenda, Killam, School
Marianne McLaughlin Downing September 8, 2022
By Marianne McLaughlin Downing Contributing Author
Follow:
Long time Reading Resident. Member of the Finance and RAAC Committees.
Previous Article Carlo Bacci Dunk the Readings “Dunk the Readings” Returns to the Fall Street Faire
Next Article Understanding Disabilities Fundraiser Status courtesy of their Facebook page. Understanding Disabilities Fundraiser Update
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Instagram Follow
Youtube Subscribe

Latest News

Letter to the Editor Reading Recap
✍️ LTE: Supporting Brian Curry for Board of Library Trustees
Letter to the Editor March 29, 2023
Anthony's Roast Beef 216 Main Street, Reading.
💸 Parker PTO Fundraiser 4-8PM @ Anthony’s
Fundraisers Shop 01867 March 29, 2023
Team 4761 the Robockets robot arm swings up in the pit.
🤖 FRC Team 4761 ‘The Robockets’ Video
Events Videos March 29, 2023
SNL Afterschool Sports
🏈 SNL After-School Sports
Sports March 29, 2023
//

Reading Recap aims to be your one stop destination for all the latest local news, meetings and events happening in the Town of Reading, Massachusetts.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Reading Recap -Reading Recap -
Follow US

© 2023 Reading Recap.
Not affiliated with the Town of Reading.
Created by Reading residents for Reading residents.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?