🏫 School Committee 5-22-25 AI Recap

Below is a summarized version of the School Committee meeting, starting at 8:00 PM, slightly delayed to accommodate members attending events at Coolidge and Parker schools. Organized by timestamps and speakers, focusing on key points raised during the discussion in Reading, Massachusetts. This summary condenses the discussion into major themes, speaker contributions, and decisions, avoiding excessive detail while retaining the essence of the conversation. Timestamps correspond to the video linked at the bottom.

Meeting Overview

• 0:46-2:28 (Tom Wise): Meeting opened, agenda outlined. No public comments received (2:28).
• 2:36-2:56 (Tom Wise, Shawn): Consent agenda approved unanimously (6-0 vote).

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Consent Agenda

• 3:02-6:02 (Student Representative): Reported on boys’ track team’s state relay victory, upcoming freshman orientation (June 2), senior internship showcase, senior awards night, senior prom, and other events like the second act play and underclassman awards.
• 6:27-7:22 (Dr. Thomas Milaschewski, Superintendent): Thanked the high school leadership team for hosting a work-based learning collaboration day with 28 districts and 50+ participants, highlighting progress in senior internship programs and innovation pathways.
• 7:29-11:00 (Carla, Tom Wise, others): Subcommittee reports. Carla discussed senior events and the successful Killam school vote (80% approval). Tom Wise and others praised Carla’s leadership on the Killam project.

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FY25 Q3 Financial Update

• 11:44-29:04 (Phil, Tom Wise, others): FY25 Q3 Financial Update by Phil Littlehale (Director of Finance):
  • General fund projects a $75,000 surplus, down from $250,000 due to unplanned expenses (e.g., $50,000 for EduClimber software, RetiSys renewal, IT issues).
  • $350,000 for technology refresh, $300,000 for special education reserve fund, and $1.2M for special ed tuition prepays.
  • Discussion on reserve fund policy (1% of net school spending, ~$700,000 target, not exceeding 1.5%).
  • Grants: New grants (e.g., Boston Bridges Initiative, financial education grant) and adjustments in Title II and public health grants.
  • Revolving accounts: Extended day program revenue/expenses adjusted to $1.8M, expected to break even.
  • Student activity accounts: High activity due to senior events (graduation, prom).

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Superintendent’s Summative Review

• 29:49-1:00:15 (Dr. Milaschewski, Tom Wise, Shawn): Superintendent’s two-year summative review:
  • Timeline: Draft reviews due in 3-5 days, discussions with Dr. Milaschewski (May 28-30), final reviews by June 1, public review on June 5.
  • Goals:
    1. Student Learning: Met 80% of DESE/MCAS targets, increased AP course participation (694 to 1,067 requests), and innovation pathway enrollment (195 students, 86% retention).
    2. Math Pathways: Expanded pathways, with future focus on outcomes and advanced coursework.
    3. Data Systems: Progress on early literacy screener but ongoing work on centralized data storage (EduClimber platform adopted).
    4. Principal Support: Ongoing coaching and development, with community engagement efforts (e.g., multilingual learner support, parent meetings).
  • Standards: Covered instructional leadership, management, family/community engagement, and professional culture. Dr. Milaschewski emphasized shared progress and collaboration.

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Policy Discussions

• 1:02:05-1:47:09 (Tom Wise, Michelle, Shawn, others): Policy Discussions:
  • GBGE (Domestic Violence Leave): Second reading, amended to “calendar days,” approved (6-0).
  • GBEDD (Online Fundraising): First reading, concerns raised about ongoing fundraisers (e.g., Amazon wish lists) and PTO solicitations by staff. Approved with plans to clarify language.
  • GBJ (Personnel Records): Aligned with public records law, approved (6-0).
  • GCA (Professional Staff Positions): Clarified school committee’s role in establishing positions, approved (6-0).
  • GCBA (Salary Schedules): Added emphasis on retention and market-based salaries, amended to include “shall” and “comparable positions,” approved (6-0).
  • GCBB (Employment of Principals): Tabled due to concerns about school committee approving contracts, slowing hiring, and vague language.
  • GCBC (Supplementary Pay): First reading, concerns about principal stipends, approved with follow-up to align with contract language.

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Scheduling & Executive Session

• 1:47:23-1:52:06 (Tom Wise, others): Upcoming meetings (May 29, June 5) outlined, including grant presentations, name removal requests, and reorganization. Request to reinstate meeting schedule in agendas.
• 1:52:39-1:53:09 (Tom Wise, Shawn): Moved to executive session for non-union personnel negotiations, approved via roll call (6-0).

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Key Outcomes:

1. Consent agenda and financial updates approved, with a projected $75,000 surplus and special ed reserve fund discussion planned.
2. Superintendent’s review process outlined, with Dr. Milaschewski presenting progress on goals and standards.
3. Five policies approved (GBGE, GBJ, GCA, GCBA, GCBC first reading), one tabled (GCBB) for further review.
4. Community support for Killam school project highlighted (80% vote approval).
5. Executive session entered for negotiations, with no return to open session.