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
- 🏅 Recognition
- 🏅 Recognition
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – Agenda Adjustment (Item E1)
- 🌟 Community Spotlight – Reading Education Foundation
- 🏅 Recognition – Focus on Excellence
- ✅ Meeting Minutes Approved
- 🏢 Administrator / Manager Report
- 🗳 Discussion – End-of-Year Learning & Teaching Update
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – Student Support Coordinator (Parker Middle School)
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – Facilities Naming Advisory Committee
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – Committee Reorganization
- 🔑 Key Summary
📅 June 4, 2026 Reading School Committee Meeting
🕒 Meeting Start: 00:07:30
⏰ Meeting End: 03:35:36
💻 Format: In-person / Hybrid
👤 Chair: Shawn Brandt
👥 Attendees: Shawn Brandt, Geoffrey Coram, Lara Durgavich, Erin Gaffen, Sarah McLaughlin, Thomas Wise, Thomas Milaschewski, Olivia Lejeune
📋 Summary
The June 4, 2026 Reading School Committee meeting spanned multiple sessions and focused on celebration, governance, instructional improvement, and district operations. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to recognizing educators and staff for service milestones, retirements, and distinguished performance across Reading Public Schools. Additional recognitions highlighted individual excellence and leadership contributions.
The Committee conducted several formal actions, including agenda adjustments, approval of the consent agenda, establishment of a Facilities Naming Advisory Committee, approval of a Student Support Coordinator pilot role at Parker Middle School, and election of officers for FY27. Substantive reports covered end-of-year learning and teaching outcomes, middle school curriculum coherence, academic data trends, financial updates, and leadership transitions.
📑 Agenda Overview
| ⏰ Start Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:07:30 | Districtwide Staff Recognition Ceremony |
| 01:15:30 | Recognition – Jaclyn Robbins |
| 01:26:06 | Call to Order & Agenda Review |
| 01:27:28 | Agenda Adjustment Vote |
| 01:27:47 | Reading Education Foundation Presentation |
| 01:35:07 | Focus on Excellence – Superintendent |
| 01:50:54 | Consent Agenda |
| 01:53:20 | Administrator Report |
| 02:00:31 | End-of-Year Learning & Teaching Update |
| 02:53:55 | Financial & Budget Updates |
| 03:15:37 | Student Support Coordinator – Vote |
| 03:18:33 | Birch Meadow Leadership Update |
| 03:24:42 | Facilities Naming Advisory Committee – Vote |
| 03:32:31 | Committee Reorganization |
| 03:35:09 | Adjournment |
🏅 Recognition
⏰ 00:07:30 – 01:15:07
👤 Presenter(s): Thomas Milaschewski; School Administrators
Staff Recognition Ceremony
- Professional Teacher Status awards for educators completing three years of service.
- Longevity Awards recognizing 10-, 20-, 30-, and 40-year service milestones, including a 40-year award for Lauren Fusco.
- Retirements honoring educators and staff across multiple schools for long-term service.
- Distinguished Teacher Awards recognizing exemplary instructional practice and student impact.
- Distinguished Staff (Non-RTA) Awards honoring contributions in IT, facilities, food services, family engagement, and student support roles.
🏅 Recognition
⏰ 01:15:30 – 01:18:38
👤 Presenter(s): School staff representatives
Jaclyn Robbins (Barrows Elementary)
- Recognized for excellence in student data management, instructional support, and student relationships.
- Remarks included student testimonials highlighting her care, patience, and advocacy.
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Agenda Adjustment (Item E1)
⏰ 01:27:28 – 01:27:47
👤 Presenter(s): Shawn Brandt
Overview
Approval requested to take agenda item E1 out of order due to delayed start.
Vote
✅ Approved
Vote Count: 5–0–0
🌟 Community Spotlight – Reading Education Foundation
⏰ 01:27:47 – 01:35:07
👤 Presenter(s): Reading Education Foundation representatives
- Overview of REF mission, fundraising, and district grant impact.
- Record Festival of Trees fundraiser.
- Ten innovation grants awarded across seven schools.
- Support for SEL, counseling, and classroom innovation initiatives.
- Ceremonial check presentation to the district.
🏅 Recognition – Focus on Excellence
⏰ 01:35:07 – 01:50:32
👤 Presenter(s): Shawn Brandt; School Committee Members
Superintendent Thomas Milaschewski
- Honored for five years of leadership and service.
- Recognition of advances in literacy, innovation pathways, leadership development, and district culture.
- Superintendent offered closing remarks thanking staff, families, and the community.
✅ Meeting Minutes Approved
⏰ 01:50:54 – 01:53:16
👤 Presenter(s): Shawn Brandt
Consent Agenda
✅ Approved as presented
Vote Count: 5–0–0
🏢 Administrator / Manager Report
⏰ 01:53:20 – 02:53:43
👤 Presenter(s): Thomas Milaschewski; Curriculum Leaders
🎉 Personnel & Leadership
- Recognition of departing HR leader for system-building and labor relations improvements.
- Announcement of Lisa Azzarito as Interim Principal of Birch Meadow Elementary School.
🏗 Curriculum & Instruction
- Progress in middle school curriculum coherence across ELA, math, science, and social studies.
- Alignment of pacing, assessments, and professional development.
- Math curriculum review narrowed to three publishers for field testing.
🗳 Discussion – End-of-Year Learning & Teaching Update
⏰ 02:00:31 – 02:53:43
👤 Presenter(s): Sarah McLaughlin, Erin Gaffen, Thomas Milaschewski
- Implementation of a districtwide data platform.
- Expanded job-embedded professional development and AI literacy training.
- DIBELS data showing K–3 benchmark growth from 79% to 87%.
- Emphasis on earlier intervention for students remaining below benchmarks.
- Review of i-Ready, STAMP, and ACCESS data.
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Student Support Coordinator (Parker Middle School)
⏰ 02:58:05 – 03:18:30
👤 Presenter(s): Thomas Milaschewski
Overview
One-year pilot role proposed by converting a vacant RMHS ELA position.
Vote
✅ Approved
Vote Count: 6–0–0
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Facilities Naming Advisory Committee
⏰ 03:24:42 – 03:32:25
👤 Presenter(s): Thomas Milaschewski
Overview
Approval of committee charge and membership with policy-aligned amendments.
Vote
✅ Approved
Vote Count: 6–0–0
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Committee Reorganization
⏰ 03:32:31 – 03:35:02
👤 Presenter(s): School Committee Members
- Chair: Shawn Brandt
✅ Elected (6–0–0) - Vice Chair: Lara Durgavich
✅ Elected (6–0–0)
🔑 Key Summary
- Districtwide staff were honored for service milestones, retirements, and distinguished performance.
- Jaclyn Robbins and Superintendent Thomas Milaschewski received formal individual recognitions.
- The Reading Education Foundation highlighted grant-funded innovation and student supports.
- The Committee approved the consent agenda, agenda adjustment, and multiple governance actions.
- End-of-year data showed gains in early literacy and progress in curriculum coherence.
- A one-year Student Support Coordinator pilot was approved for Parker Middle School.
- Lisa Azzarito was named Interim Principal of Birch Meadow Elementary School.
- Shawn Brandt and Lara Durgavich were elected Chair and Vice Chair for FY27.
