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.
- 📋 Summary
- 📑 Agenda Overview
- 🗣️ Public Comment
- 🌟 Community Spotlight
- 🗳 Student Advisory Council Report
- 🏢 Administrator / Manager Report
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – Consent Agenda
- 🔗 Liaison Reports – Highlights
- 🗳 Discussion – CPAC End-of-Year Update
- 🏢 Administrator Report – Student Services Department
- 🗳 Discussion – Superintendent Formative Review Process
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – Facility Naming Advisory Committee
- 🗳 Discussion – School Choice Update
- 🗳 Vote – Enter Executive Session
- 🔑 Key Summary
📅 May 28, 2026 School Committee Meeting
🕒 Meeting Start: 00:06:36
⏰ Meeting End: 02:09:31
💻 Format: Hybrid
👤 Chair: Shawn Brandt
👥 Attendees: Shawn Brandt, Geoffrey Coram, Lara Durgavich, Erin Gaffen, Sarah McLaughlin, Thomas Wise, Thomas Milaschewski (Superintendent), Olivia Lejeune (Executive Assistant)
📋 Summary
The School Committee opened with roll call, agenda review, and public comment, followed by a Focus on Excellence recognition honoring the Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Student representatives provided end-of-year reflections, event updates, and expressions of appreciation. The Superintendent delivered administrative updates covering personnel appointments, regulatory compliance, and student support initiatives. The Committee approved the consent agenda with one recusal and heard liaison reports addressing wellness policy timelines, recreation projects, audit findings, and financial planning discussions, including a potential tax override.
The latter half of the meeting included substantive presentations and deliberations. The SEPAC delivered its end-of-year update outlining advocacy efforts, challenges, and recommendations. The Student Services Department provided a comprehensive overview of inclusive education, executive functioning, SEL, and community partnerships, supported by data on attendance and instructional confidence. The Committee discussed the superintendent formative review process, tabled action on the Facility Naming Advisory Committee pending completion of membership and charge, received an informational school choice enrollment update, and voted unanimously to enter executive session for collective bargaining strategy.
📑 Agenda Overview
| ⏰ Start Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:06:36 | Roll Call & Agenda Review |
| 00:08:00 | Public Comment |
| 00:08:19 | Focus on Excellence |
| 00:13:50 | Student Advisory Council Report |
| 00:21:32 | Superintendent & Administrative Reports |
| 00:28:00 | Consent Agenda |
| 00:30:09 | Liaison Reports |
| 00:38:02 | SEPAC End-of-Year Update |
| 01:15:01 | Student Services Department Update |
| 01:54:37 | Superintendent Formative Review Discussion |
| 01:59:49 | Facility Naming Advisory Committee |
| 02:03:50 | School Choice Update |
| 02:08:48 | Vote to Enter Executive Session |
🗣️ Public Comment
⏰ 00:08:00 – 00:08:19
👤 Presenter(s): None
No in-person or remote public comment.
🌟 Community Spotlight
⏰ 00:08:19 – 00:13:50
👤 Presenter(s): Thomas Milaschewski, Superintendent
Focus on Excellence – Class of 2026
- Valedictorian: Amelia Barowski
- Recognized for academic achievement, leadership, writing and journalism, language studies, and community involvement.
- Plans to attend Georgetown University.
- Salutatorian: Indigo Buco (not present)
- Recognized for scholarship, robotics, mock trial, language studies, and writing.
- Plans to attend Amherst College.
🗳 Student Advisory Council Report
⏰ 00:13:50 – 00:21:32
👤 Presenter(s): Student Representatives
- Reflections on service and upcoming graduation.
- Thanks extended to Superintendent Thomas Milaschewski.
- Updates on graduation activities, awards ceremonies, exams, athletics postseason play, and a financial literacy course supported by the Massachusetts Bankers Association.
🏢 Administrator / Manager Report
⏰ 00:21:32 – 00:27:55
👤 Presenter(s): Thomas Milaschewski, Superintendent; District Administrators
💼 Personnel Updates
- Michelle Offis appointed RISE Principal Director, effective July 1.
- Dr. Steve Burnham announced as incoming Principal of Stoneham High School; Birch leadership transition to be discussed June 4.
🏗 Compliance & Student Services
- District readiness for new state seclusion regulations effective August 17, including staff training and facility updates.
- Student-led mentoring initiative funded through a coalition mini-grant to support middle-to-high school transitions.
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Consent Agenda
⏰ 00:28:00 – 00:30:09
👤 Presenter(s): Shawn Brandt
Items 1, 2, and 4–8
✅ Approved
Vote Count: 6–0
Notes: Minutes to be amended to correctly reflect Dr. Lara Durgavich’s title.
Item 3 – Parker 8th Grade Field Trip Donation
✅ Approved
Vote Count: 5–0
Recusal: Lara Durgavich
🔗 Liaison Reports – Highlights
⏰ 00:30:09 – 00:38:02
👤 Presenter(s): Committee Members
- Wellness Committee: District wellness policy review required by August 31.
- Recreation Committee: Birch Meadow Phase 2 playground and courts opened.
- Audit Committee: RMLD audit accepted with no material findings.
- Finance Committee: Structural budget deficit discussed; potential tiered tax override for November ballot and need for community education emphasized.
🗳 Discussion – CPAC End-of-Year Update
⏰ 00:38:02 – 01:15:01
👤 Presenter(s): Trisha Kiely, SEPAC Members
Overview
Annual update highlighting advocacy, parent education, and inclusion.
Key Discussion Points
- Growth in membership and collaboration with Student Services.
- Workshops, social events, and outreach efforts.
- Challenges with parent engagement and survey participation.
- Advocacy for equitable “break spaces,” ESY access during construction, and traffic safety near Birch Meadow.
- Plans for expanded programming, fundraising, and partnerships.
🏢 Administrator Report – Student Services Department
⏰ 01:16:05 – 01:54:27
👤 Presenter(s): Trisha Sykes and Student Services Team
- Executive functioning training delivered districtwide by Elise Wolf (Mass General Hospital).
- Student Services positioned as a coordinating hub across systems beyond compliance.
- Chronic absenteeism among ML students reduced from 38.9% (2021–22) to 12.5% (April 2026).
- Expansion of inclusion, neurodiversity, job-embedded coaching, and inclusive instructional practices.
- SEL enhancements across elementary, middle, and high school levels with positive staff survey results.
- Increased family engagement through workshops, book clubs, and community initiatives.
🗳 Discussion – Superintendent Formative Review Process
⏰ 01:54:37 – 01:59:47
👤 Presenter(s): Shawn Brandt
- Discussion of timing, statutory requirements, and usefulness of a formative review.
- Superintendent Thomas Milaschewski expressed willingness to waive contractual obligations if appropriate.
- Chair to confirm legal requirements and follow up; no vote taken.
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Facility Naming Advisory Committee
⏰ 01:59:49 – 02:03:48
👤 Presenter(s): Shawn Brandt
- Membership partially identified; additional representatives and formal charge pending.
🔄 Continued
Vote Count: 6–0–0
Action: Tabled to June 4, 2026.
🗳 Discussion – School Choice Update
⏰ 02:03:50 – 02:08:45
👤 Presenter(s): Thomas Milaschewski
- Projected 110 school choice students; recommendation to open up to 17 additional seats.
- Enrollment projections aligned with budget assumptions and capacity.
- Informational update only; no vote required.
🗳 Vote – Enter Executive Session
⏰ 02:08:48 – 02:09:31
👤 Presenter(s): Shawn Brandt
✅ Approved
Vote Count: 6–0–0
Purpose: Collective bargaining strategy.
Note: Committee did not return to open session.
🔑 Key Summary
- The Committee recognized the Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian and heard student end-of-year reflections.
- Administrative updates included leadership appointments, compliance readiness, and student support initiatives.
- The consent agenda was approved with one recusal; liaison reports highlighted recreation improvements and budget challenges.
- SEPAC and Student Services delivered comprehensive presentations focused on inclusion, SEL, and family engagement.
- Discussion on the superintendent formative review was deferred pending confirmation of statutory requirements.
- The Facility Naming Advisory Committee item was unanimously tabled to complete membership and charge.
- School choice enrollment projections aligned with budget expectations.
- The Committee unanimously entered executive session for collective bargaining strategy.
