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
🏫 School Committee Meeting Summary
🗓️ January 8, 2026
🕒 ~1hr49min
🧑⚖️ School Committee Members Present
Shawn Brandt (Chair) · Carla Nazzaro (Vice Chair) · Tom Wise · Sarah McLaughlin · Lara Durgavich · Erin Gaffen · Sarah McLaughlin (Remote)
📅 Agenda Overview
| Timestamp | Topic |
|---|---|
| 05:43 | Meeting Called to Order & Roll Call |
| 06:12 | Agenda Overview |
| 07:31 | Public Comment |
| 07:36 | Consent Agenda Vote |
| 07:48 | Student Reports |
| 14:06 | Superintendent’s Report |
| 15:22 | Liaison Reports |
| 18:31 | New Business – FY27 Budget Presentation |
| 57:37 | Old Business – Transportation Fee Vote |
| 59:50 | Old Business – FY26–27 School Calendar Approval |
| 1:03:20 | New Business – Superintendent Search Process Discussion & Screening Committee Vote |
| 1:48:41 | Motion to Adjourn |
✅ Consent Agenda
- Approved unanimously (6–0)
🧑🎓 Student Reports
🕒 07:48–14:00
- Upcoming Events:
- Jan 13: Junior Guidance Parent Night
- Jan 20: Future Freshman Night
- Jan 20–23: Midterms
- Jan 26: PTO Board Meeting
- Jan 29: Career Day for Juniors & 8th Grade Arts Night
- News:
- Alumni Day (Jan 6): 15 graduates shared college experiences; feedback included need for interview skills and resume prep
- Career Day expanded to 40+ professionals across diverse fields
🧾 Superintendent’s Report
🕒 14:06–15:13
- Kindergarten Registration: Now open; families urged to register by end of January for guaranteed home school placement
- MLK Jr. Celebration: Jan 19, 9:30–11:30 AM at RMHS PAC; student-led program and community breakfast
🏛️ Liaison Reports
🕒 15:22–18:31
- SEPAC: Budget review completed
- Killam School Building Committee: Meetings on furniture, fencing, and room numbering
- Select Board: Approved new 3-year contract with RCTV
- Finance Committee: State financial policy workshop scheduled for Jan 29
💰 FY27 Budget Presentation
🕒 18:31–57:00
- Theme: Steady as We Go – Level Services Budget
- Key Points:
- Overall increase: ~2% (operating + accommodated costs)
- No program cuts; staffing adjusted (-1 FTE net)
- Special Education: Appears down 3.3% in general fund but actual spend up ~4% due to offsets and circuit breaker increase
- Offsets: Increased from $2.2M to $2.6M; includes school choice, tuition revenue, and full-day kindergarten balance
- School Choice: 79 students currently; projecting ~100 next year; revenue used aggressively to balance FY27
- Capital Plan: Tech allocation increased from $150K → $250K; new special ed van funded by $75K state earmark
- Concerns Raised:
- Reliance on two years of school choice funds creates FY28 cliff (~$400K risk)
- Food service offset eliminated due to insufficient revenue
- Committee Observations:
- Investments in in-district special ed programs have reduced out-of-district costs significantly
- Universal full-day kindergarten remains intact
🚌 Transportation Fee Vote
🕒 57:37–59:44
- Approved:
- Single rider: $500 (+$25)
- Two riders: $900 (+$50)
- Family cap: $1,200 unchanged
- Vote: Unanimous (6–0)
📅 FY26–27 School Calendar
🕒 59:50–1:03:03
- Start Date: No earlier than one week before Labor Day (per union contract)
- Election Day: No closure planned except for presidential years
- Vote: Approved unanimously (6–0)
🔍 Superintendent Search Process
🕒 1:03:20–1:48:35
- Key Decisions:
- Aggressive timeline: Complete search before April election
- MASC will provide technical assistance (posting, orientation, question development); district will manage process internally
- Explore outreach to retired consultant Dorothy Presser for support
- Focus groups: Condensed schedule; student input via SAC; community forum planned; light online survey for feedback
- Screening Committee Composition:
- 2 School Committee members
- 3 central office/non-unit leaders (at least 2 direct reports to superintendent)
- 5 staff (one from each level)
- 5 parents (representation across levels, CPAC, METCO)
- Town manager or designate
- Police chief/SRO or designate
- Vote: Approved unanimously (6–0)
🧾 Key Takeaways
- FY27 budget maintains level services but relies heavily on offsets and school choice revenue
- Transportation fee increases approved; calendar finalized
- Superintendent search to be expedited; screening committee structure confirmed
- Community engagement planned via forums and survey; finalist visits will include virtual district tours
