“Emphasizes Fiscal Oversight, Community Involvement, and Student Opportunity“
School Committee candidate Geoffrey Coram highlighted financial stewardship, long‑standing community involvement, and broad educational opportunity during a recent candidate forum hosted by Reading Recap, as he seeks election in the April 7th municipal vote.
Coram was one of three candidates to participate in the March 27th School Committee forum, which addressed committee responsibilities, district finances, staffing levels, technology policy, and long‑term planning for Reading Public Schools.
Background and Community Involvement
In his opening remarks, Coram said he and his wife chose to move to Reading more than 25 years ago primarily because of the town’s schools. He described extensive volunteer service within Reading Public Schools over the past two decades, including time spent in classrooms, lunchrooms, field trips, and extracurricular activities.
Coram previously served as treasurer for multiple Parent Teacher Organizations at Birch Meadow, Killam, and Reading Memorial High School, holding the role for a combined 12 years. He also helped secure 501(c)(3) nonprofit status for two of those organizations and continues to volunteer with the RMHS drama club, assisting with set construction.
In addition, Coram has served on the town’s Finance Committee since 2021, acts as a liaison to the School Committee, and previously filled a short‑term role as an interim School Committee member in 2019.
Perspective on Class Size and Enrollment
Addressing concerns about uneven class sizes, Coram said the district has made noticeable improvements in recent years. He noted that the School Committee and administration adhere to established enrollment guidelines and have avoided exceeding recommended thresholds.
Coram pointed to recent school choice policies as a tool that allows the superintendent flexibility to assign students to schools with available capacity, helping balance enrollment without drastically redrawing boundaries. He said this flexibility has helped reduce disparities between buildings while maintaining neighborhood school identities.
Staffing Growth and Budget Pressures
When asked how the district should approach staffing if revenues tighten or an override fails, Coram said classroom teachers must remain the highest priority.
He suggested that some support positions, particularly instructional coaching roles added to support new curriculum, may need to be reevaluated over time as teachers become more proficient with those programs. However, Coram cautioned that certain supports, including those for multilingual learners and students requiring specialized services, remain essential and should be preserved.
Coram said difficult budget decisions should be guided by necessity, impact on students, and legal mandates, rather than across‑the‑board cuts.
Technology Use and Device Costs
Coram spoke in favor of district‑controlled technology devices, saying they help schools manage educational use while limiting distractions from phones and personal devices.
He acknowledged concerns about screen time but emphasized that digital access is increasingly central to curriculum, state testing, and college‑level expectations. Coram said controlled use of school‑issued devices allows educators to ensure students are working on appropriate platforms while developing necessary technical skills.
Artificial Intelligence in Schools
Coram expressed support for adopting a clearer districtwide policy on artificial intelligence, noting that AI tools are already being used by students in creative and technical ways.
He shared examples from extracurricular activities where students have used AI to support problem‑solving and programming, while also learning to critically evaluate AI‑generated output. Coram said educating students about both the capabilities and limitations of AI is essential, warning that misuse without understanding can undermine learning.
He framed AI literacy as a necessary skill for students entering a technology‑driven workforce.
Unified Sports and Article 14
On Article 14 and funding for Unified Sports, Coram voiced strong personal support for the program but expressed concerns about the proposed funding mechanism tied to Burbank Ice Arena revenue.
He said the rental revenue is not guaranteed and argued that Unified Sports should be funded through a direct, stable line item in the school budget rather than through a stabilization fund requiring repeated approvals. Coram noted that he voted against recommending Article 14 at the Finance Committee level but also introduced the motion to add $25,000 in Unified Sports funding to the school budget.
If elected, Coram said he would continue advocating for permanent, predictable funding for the program.
Preparing for a New Superintendent
Looking ahead to the arrival of a new superintendent, Coram said effective communication with the community should be a top priority.
He said the new leader will need to understand the unique strengths and challenges of each school while also building public understanding of the district’s financial needs, including the potential necessity of a future operational override.
Coram emphasized listening to stakeholders and clearly explaining how budget decisions affect classroom experiences and student outcomes.
Educational Priorities and Student Outcomes
When asked what students should gain beyond core academics, Coram said understanding civic participation and local governance is critical.
He said students should graduate with an understanding of how schools are funded, how town decisions affect education, and why community engagement matters. Coram also stressed the importance of providing multiple pathways to success, ensuring students with different strengths and interests feel supported and valued.
Closing Message
In his closing remarks, Coram said many of his most meaningful experiences in Reading are tied to the public schools, from volunteering during his children’s elementary years to attending their high school graduations.
He said his goal as a School Committee member would be to combine fiscal discipline with thoughtful policymaking, expand opportunities for student success, and maintain a welcoming and inclusive school environment.
Coram encouraged residents to vote early or on Election Day, April 7th, and said he hopes to continue serving Reading Public Schools through careful oversight, collaboration, and long‑term planning.
You can watch the full forum below. We’ll be highlighting each participant with individual articles over the course of the week.
