Below is a summarized version of the School Committee meeting, 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.
Contents
Meeting Overview
- Timestamp: 4:14 – 6:06
- Speaker: Tom Wise (Chair)
- Summary:
- Meeting called to order at 7:01 PM.
- Agenda outlined: public comment, consent agenda, new roles, reports, and new business including Reading Education Foundation (REF) grant update, Joshua Eaton name removal request, SEPAC FY25 update, student services update, district strategic plan update, and finance director interim role update.
- No public comments were made.
Focus on Excellence
Focus on Excellence: Project 351 Ambassadors
- Timestamp: 6:12 – 14:05
- Speakers: Dr. Thomas Milaschewski, Esme Moss (student), Lucas Dorfman (student), Sarah Marshott, Jill Storyer
- Summary:
- Highlighted Project 351, a statewide initiative involving 8th-grade ambassadors from every Massachusetts town.
- Esme Moss (Coolidge Middle School) shared her experience at the JFK Library launch day, including service at Lac Labiva shelter (7:07 – 8:29). Delivered a speech on a world without hate, emphasizing respect and mental health compassion.
- Lucas Dorfman (Parker Middle School) discussed a Cradles to Crayons clothing drive, collecting 17 bags at Parker and contributing to 5,775 bags statewide, impacting 17,265 children (11:45 – 12:34).
- Selection criteria emphasized unsung heroes with kindness, compassion, and humility (9:05 – 9:46).
- Outcome: Ambassadors recognized for leadership; photo taken with committee.
Consent Agenda
- Timestamp: 14:20 – 14:39
- Speakers: Tom Wise, Erin (committee member), Shawn (committee member)
- Summary:
- Motion to approve consent agenda, seconded, and passed unanimously (6-0).
New Role
New Role: Middle School METCO Site Coordinator
- Timestamp: 14:39 – 16:51
- Speakers: Tom Wise, Dr. Thomas Milaschewski, Shawn
- Summary:
- New 1.0 FTE METCO Site Coordinator/School Adjustment Counselor position at Parker Middle School proposed, aligning with new policy requiring public sharing of job descriptions (14:47 – 15:03).
- Position repurposed from an unneeded kindergarten teacher slot due to enrollment (15:17 – 15:23).
- Builds METCO team to nine full-time staff, with coordinators at all K-8 schools and high school (15:29 – 16:05).
- Outcome: Motion to approve creation of position, seconded by Shawn, passed unanimously (6-0).
Reports
- Timestamp: 16:57 – 23:52
- Speakers: Dr. Stys, Dr. Thomas Milaschewski, Sarah, Shawn, Carla, Tom Wise
- Summary:
- Dr. Stys (17:04 – 17:58): Announced Unified Sports Day on June 6, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM, inviting community participation. Thanked Tara Hurley for organization.
- Dr. Milaschewski (18:05 – 19:28): Noted RHS spring sports teams in state tournaments, with four in top 10 rankings. Promoted upcoming Distinguished Teacher/Staff Awards (June 5, 5:30 PM reception, 6:00 PM ceremony) and Focus on Excellence for nine 4th-grade student authors receiving publishing deals and checks ($200-$1,000).
- Sarah (19:46 – 21:37): Reported on coalition activities, including celebrating four senior rocket leaders, mental health awareness month events, and upcoming Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). Opioid settlement funds to support a 0.4 FTE health teacher and a part-time clinician for student mental health.
- Shawn (21:53 – 22:05): Audit committee meeting rescheduled to June 25; noted boys lacrosse leading 12-0 at halftime.
- Carla (22:05 – 23:02): Killam building project underway with monthly meetings starting June 2. Contracts to be voted on, coordinating with another project to avoid overlap.
- Tom Wise (23:02 – 23:52): Congratulated Tama Jones, school committee book club winner, attending Bowie State for psychology, awarded books aligned with her major.
Reading Education Foundation
New Business: Reading Education Foundation (REF) Grant Update
- Timestamp: 23:52 – 30:21
- Speakers: Tom Wise, Laura (REF representative), Chris Macari
- Summary:
- REF board (Emily James, Andrea Nelson, Chris Macari) presented, with Debbie Hattery acknowledged for her grant chair role (24:21 – 24:55).
- REF funds through Festival of Trees and donations, directly supporting teacher/staff grant requests (25:01 – 26:04).
- Chris read Debbie’s message praising teachers’ vision and creativity in grant applications (26:23 – 28:10).
- Laura thanked the community and announced her last year as president after 12 years (27:20 – 28:42).
- Outcome: REF awarded $29,334 in grants; photo taken with committee.
Joshua Eaton Name Removal
New Business: Joshua Eaton Name Removal Request
- Timestamp: 30:21 – 37:44
- Speakers: Tom Wise, Jeremiah Sanford, Tamir Jones, Alana Dorquez, Dante Dio, Erin
- Summary:
- Students of Color and Allies for Equity, Justice, and Inclusion (SCOA for EJI) proposed un-naming Joshua Eaton Elementary due to unclear association with Joshua Eaton Sr. (enslaver) or Jr. (31:53 – 35:43).
- Suggested renaming to Cato Eaton Elementary to honor Cato, an enslaved man who served in the Revolutionary War, for historical accuracy, educational opportunity, moral responsibility, and community inclusivity (33:24 – 35:12).
- Process follows old policy (pre-new policy approval); no deliberation tonight, clarifying questions only (30:29 – 31:10).
- Questions: Erin confirmed the school’s land was owned by the Eaton family and Cato’s death post-war in his 30s (36:28 – 37:01).
- Outcome: Presentation concluded; deliberation and advisory committee vote scheduled for June 5.
SEPAC FY25
New Business: SEPAC FY25 End-of-Year Update
- Timestamp: 37:44 – 57:01
- Speakers: Dilly Wilson, Trisha Kylie, Jasine Lee, Jen, Sarah, Carla, Tom Wise
- Summary:
- SEPAC (Special Education Parents Advisory Council) presented by Dilly Wilson, Trisha Kylie, and Jasine Lee (38:18 – 39:16).
- Year in Review (39:21 – 42:44): Full board of six, ending with five after one resignation. Active on social media (711 Facebook followers, 22,000 interactions, 197 Instagram followers, 164 website visitors).
- Survey Results (42:52 – 45:32): Parents valued in-person meetings and speakers (e.g., Sarah Hardy on reading, finance director on budget). Identified blind spot: lack of awareness on how to engage with SEPAC.
- Outreach Efforts (47:28 – 49:25): Strong partnership with student services, monthly meetings, social events (lunch meetups, nature walks), and participation in community events like Unified Sports and Festival of Trees.
- Workshops (49:25 – 50:58): Included anxiety/depression, Right to Read screening, and 360 Thinking Model. Planned 2025-26 initiatives: inclusion-focused fair, screening of In a Different Key (autism documentary), and expanded workshops.
- Q&A (51:43 – 57:01): Jen praised SEPAC’s collaboration, including a workshop on conflict communication. Carla highlighted progress from 20 years ago, suggesting connections with Children’s Cabinet and Reading Rec. Tom emphasized SEPAC’s growth, encouraged inclusion focus, and suggested aligning with Children’s Cabinet for resource fairs.
- Outcome: SEPAC recognized for robust community engagement; plans for expanded inclusion efforts and fundraising.
Student Services
New Business: Student Services End-of-Year Update
- Timestamp: 57:01 – 1:52:10
- Speakers: Jen, Sarah, Shawn, Tom Wise
- Summary:
- Jen thanked SEPAC and highlighted staff roles (Allison Wright, inclusion specialist, literacy coach) (57:01 – 17:48).
- Safe Learning Environments (1:19:10 – 1:24:30): District safety committee includes community stakeholders. Survey (467 staff) showed most felt safe, knew de-escalation strategies, and trusted support systems. Areas for improvement: better training for substitutes, clearer bullying/harassment policy communication.
- Instructional Systems (1:24:37 – 1:36:51): Inclusion and literacy implementation teams formed, using general ed models. Focused on transitions (e.g., Rise to Kindergarten), dyslexia support via LEAD program, and AIM curriculum for emotional acceptance. Trainings included Story Grammar Marker and executive functioning strategies.
- Family/Community Engagement (1:41:50 – 1:45:22): Listening sessions, office hours, and workshops (e.g., Phyllis Fagel on microaggressions, Jill Walsh on social media). Youth-led summer projects funded via mini-grants.
- Questions (1:46:03 – 1:52:10): Sarah asked about Story Grammar Marker training (extending to gen ed teachers), clarified LEAD ELA template origins, and suggested rephrasing “overcome dyslexia” to celebrate neurodiversity. Shawn praised kindergarten transition and connected anxious generation parent group to inclusion efforts.
- Outcome: Highlighted comprehensive student support improvements; plans for continued training and policy refinements.
District Strategic Plan
New Business: District Strategic Plan Update
- Timestamp: 1:52:24 – 1:59:08
- Speaker: Dr. Thomas Milaschewski
- Summary:
- Reviewed 2023-2026 strategic plan, with one year remaining (1:52:31 – 1:53:08).
- Progress: Improved student achievement (2.2, 2.4, 2.5), sense of belonging via student voice, union collaboration on safety (1.3), MLL chronic absenteeism halved (1.5), and innovative high school pathways (2.3).
- Focus Areas for 2025-26: Data systems (1.2), METCO coherence (1.4), special education inclusion (1.3), educational technology/AI (2.6), and MSBA project (3.4).
- Outcome: Encouraged community review of detailed packet; proposed summer discussion for goal-setting.
Director of Finance
New Business: Director of Finance Interim Role Update
- Timestamp: 1:59:28 – 2:01:28
- Speakers: Dr. Thomas Milaschewski, Tom Wise
- Summary:
- Recommended extending Phil Little Hale’s interim Director of Finance contract (started October 15, 2024) for one year, citing his CPA expertise and 15 years of school finance experience (1:59:34 – 2:00:19).
- Extension allows acclimation; long-term decision deferred to spring 2026.
- Outcome: Motion to extend contract, seconded, passed unanimously (6-0).
Key Outcomes:
- Extended interim finance director contract for one year.
- Approved new METCO Site Coordinator position at Parker Middle School.
- Recognized Project 351 ambassadors and REF grant contributions ($29,334).
- Received Joshua Eaton name removal proposal; deliberation set for June 5.
- SEPAC and student services updates highlighted inclusion, community engagement, and safety improvements.
- Strategic plan progress noted; focus areas for 2025-26 identified.
