🏫 School Committee 12-4-25 AI Recap

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.

🏫 School Committee Meeting Summary
🗓️ December 4, 2025
🕒 ~1hr19min
🧑‍⚖️ School Committee Members Present
Shawn Brandt (Chair) · Carla Nazzaro (Vice Chair) · Tom Wise · Sarah McLaughlin · Lara Durgavich · Erin Gaffen

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🗓️ Agenda Overview

Timestamp	Topic
09:44	Meeting Called to Order & Roll Call
10:14	Overview of Agenda
11:28	Focus on Excellence – Academic Excellence Award Recipients
20:32	Consent Agenda & Donation Presentation
25:21	Student Reports
30:14	Superintendent’s Report
33:02	Liaison Reports
38:32	RHS Fitness Center & Training Room Overview
50:06	RISE Tuition Adjustment (FY26–27)
56:50	Draft 2026–27 School Calendar Discussion
1:11:40	Policy IKF Competency Determination – Second Reading & Vote
1:14:49	Policy IKF Graduation Requirements – Amendment & Vote
1:18:10	Motion to Adjourn

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🌟 Focus on Excellence: Academic Excellence Award Recipients

🕒 11:28–20:24

Honorees

• Owen Sinclair
  • Varsity cross-country captain; state championship team member
  • Class president (grades 10–11)
  • Founder of Climate Change Club; Habitat for Humanity volunteer
  • 4.5 GPA; 6 AP classes; Scholastic Writing Silver Key Award
  • Counselor praised his ambition, leadership, and love of learning
• Clara Healey
  • President of Science Team & Climate Change Club; Student Council treasurer
  • Varsity soccer & track captain; volunteer math tutor
  • 4.63 GPA; 11 AP classes; AP Scholar with Distinction
  • Recognized for environmental advocacy and leadership

Outcome: Certificates presented; group photo taken. Committee praised students as role models for academic and community excellence.

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📋 Consent Agenda

🕒 20:32–24:48

• Approved unanimously (6–0)
• Highlight: $970.41 donation from Alex Gisetto via Donald E. Garrant Foundation for financial literacy resources at RMHS
  • Supports business curriculum expansion and student clubs
  • Alex gained grant-writing experience and strengthened college applications

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🧑‍🎓 Student Reports

🕒 25:21–29:54

• Upcoming Events:
  • Winter athletic tryouts (Dec 2)
  • Band concert (Dec 8)
  • Alumni Day (Jan 6)
  • Junior Guidance Night (Jan 13)
  • Future Freshman Night (Jan 20)
  • Midterms (Jan 20–23)
  • Career Day (Jan 29)
• Highlights:
  • Credit for Life Fair (Nov 25): Hands-on financial literacy simulation with 45 community volunteers
  • Winter choir concert (Dec 18) and caroling events
  • Dickens Holiday Marketplace (Dec 13) to support RMHS Drama Club
  • Leadership Café: Over 10 student groups applied for $500 grants for community projects

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🧾 Superintendent’s Report

🕒 30:14–32:49

• SEPAC Awareness Month: Thanked SEPAC for advocacy and impact
• New Partnership: RMHS launching Financial Freedom Launchpad program
  • Collaboration with Endicott College, Empowered Education, and Reading Cooperative Bank
  • Seniors earn 3 college credits and $100 incentive during 14-week course
  • Emphasizes real-world learning and community partnerships

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🏛️ Liaison Reports

🕒 33:02–38:25

• Select Board: RCTV contract extension under review
• Killam School Building Committee:
  • 60% design estimate came in $9M lower than previous
  • Scope control and design completeness credited for savings
  • RFQs issued for code review, materials testing, and tax consultant (to maximize IRA grant opportunities)
  • Furniture selection and geotechnical testing underway
  • Early procurement planned for electrical switchgear to avoid delays

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🏋️‍♂️ New RHS Fitness Center & Training Room Overview

🕒 38:32–49:47

• Donation: $550K from alum Claudia Miksen-Fanaras
• Features:
  • Turf strip, top-tier Matrix Fitness equipment, cardio machines with interactive screens
  • Strength training stations, functional trainer, free-weight racks with sound-dampening platforms
  • Branding: RMHS decals, graphics, and color scheme
• Timeline: Flooring and equipment installation in December; ribbon-cutting in January
• Goal: Create a premier regional facility for all students, not just athletes

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💵 RISE Tuition Adjustment (FY26–27)

🕒 50:06–56:42

• Proposal: Standardize hourly rate at $8.35 across all programs
• Rationale:
  • Rising program costs
  • Maintain competitiveness with public preschools
  • Address prior inconsistencies in hourly pricing
• Outcome: Approved unanimously (6–0)

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📅 Draft 2026–27 School Calendar Discussion

🕒 56:50–1:11:33

• Highlights:
  • Late Labor Day pushes start to Sept 2; end date could be June 28
  • Committee debated starting earlier (Aug 31 or prior) to avoid late June end
  • Considerations: teacher start dates, heat, camp schedules, election day logistics, Juneteenth observance
• Next Steps: Gather union feedback; revisit draft in January

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📜 Policy Updates

🕒 1:11:40–1:18:04

IKF Competency Determination

• Second reading; adopted unanimously (6–0)
• Aligns graduation requirements with DESE guidance; separate policy for competency determination

IKF Graduation Requirements

• Amended to reference new competency policy; adopted unanimously (6–0)

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🧾 Key Takeaways

• 🎓 Two RMHS seniors honored for academic excellence and leadership
• 💰 $9,700 donation expands financial literacy resources; new college-credit finance program launching
• 🏋️‍♂️ Fitness center renovation underway; ribbon-cutting planned for January
• 💵 RISE tuition adjustments approved for FY26–27
• 📅 Draft calendar reviewed; union input pending on start date
• 📜 Policies IKF and IKF-CD adopted to meet state requirements

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