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.

📅 July 9, 2026 Reading School Committee Meeting

🕒 Meeting Start: 00:02:23
⏰ Meeting End: 02:09:33
💻 Format: Hybrid
👤 Chair: Shawn Brandt
👥 Attendees: Shawn Brandt, Geoffrey Coram, Lara Durgavich, Erin Gaffen, Sarah McLaughlin (remote), Thomas Wise, Thomas Milaschewski (Superintendent transition referenced), Henry Turner (Superintendent)

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📋 Summary

The School Committee welcomed Superintendent Henry Turner to his first formal meeting and approved routine consent agenda items. The committee received updates on summer programming, staffing, food services, Extended School Year programming, and district hiring efforts. Members also reviewed Superintendent Turner’s proposed entry plan, approved his appointments to collaborative boards, and adopted a one-year superintendent evaluation cycle with a formative review in February and summative review in June.

The committee conducted a first reading of the revised Wellness Policy (ADF), providing feedback for further revisions before a future approval vote. Members also updated liaison assignments, discussed a renewed request from Mulberry Forest School for approval as an educational program, and held an extensive discussion about the town’s anticipated override process, emphasizing the need for detailed impact analysis, public communication, and budget planning.

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📑 Agenda Overview

⏰ Start Time	Topic
00:02:23	Call to Order & Agenda Overview
00:04:40	Public Comment
00:05:05	Consent Agenda
00:06:07	Superintendent Report
00:12:37	Liaison Reports
00:15:03	Wellness Policy (ADF) First Reading
00:29:34	Collaborative Board Appointments
00:31:14	Superintendent Entry Plan Preview
00:49:07	Superintendent Evaluation Timeline
00:55:38	Liaison & Subcommittee Assignments
01:13:06	Mulberry Forest School Discussion
01:25:20	Override Process Discussion
02:09:15	Adjournment

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🗣️ Public Comment

⏰ 00:04:40 – 00:05:05
👤 Presenter(s): None

No in-person or remote public comment.

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✅ Meeting Minutes Approved

⏰ 00:05:05 – 00:06:07
👤 Presenter(s): Shawn Brandt

Minutes were approved with a correction to document the arrival time of a member who joined a prior meeting late.

Approved as amended.

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🏢 Administrator / Manager Report

⏰ 00:06:07 – 00:12:37
👤 Presenter(s): Henry Turner

🎉 Community Events

• Superintendent Turner reported a positive first week in Reading and thanked staff, administrators, and former Superintendent Thomas Milaschewski for supporting the transition.
• Promoted the Reading Children’s Cabinet Let Grow Challenge encouraging student independence and community engagement.
• Highlighted collaboration among schools, library, recreation, police, and community organizations.

🚨 Public Safety

• Reading Police Department continues issuing incentives to students observed wearing bicycle helmets.

💼 Economic Development

• Food Services expanded summer catering operations, including YMCA partnerships and online meal ordering.
• Approximately 300 families are participating, with plans to expand services to additional camps and communities.

🏗 State / Regional Policy

• Extended School Year (ESY) programming began with 158 participating students and 80 staff members.
• USDA summer meal program expansion continues through regional partnerships.

Staffing Updates

• Lisa Azzarito appointed Interim Principal at Birch Meadow.
• Heather Marsh hired as Interim Assistant Principal at Birch Meadow.
• Michelle Olia began as RISE Director.
• HR Director search was reposted, generating significantly more applicants; interviews scheduled for July 21.

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🔗 Liaison Reports – Highlights

⏰ 00:12:37 – 00:15:03
👤 Presenter(s): School Committee Members

• Finance Committee / Select Board:
• Upcoming override-related meetings scheduled for July 14, July 15, July 22, and August 4.
• Facilities Planning:
• Meetings expected August 17 and August 24.
• Killam School Project:
• Bids came in substantially below projections.
• Town borrowing exposure may be reduced significantly, generating major taxpayer savings while keeping the project moving forward.

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🗳 Discussion & Vote – Wellness Policy ADF (First Reading)

⏰ 00:15:03 – 00:29:34
👤 Presenter(s): Shawn Brandt, Geoffrey Coram, Thomas Wise, Erin Gaffen, Henry Turner

Overview:

The committee conducted a first reading of the revised District Wellness Policy. Because substantive edits were identified, the item was converted from an approval vote to a first reading.

Key Discussion Points:

• Committee membership language needs clarification regarding required representation and coordinator roles.
• Wellness Committee liaison assignment should be added to committee tracking documents.
• Members identified formatting, grammatical, and change-tracking inconsistencies.
• Discussion centered on whether certain wellness provisions are legally required or optional best practices.
• Members debated balancing policy flexibility with maintaining nutrition and wellness commitments.
• Staff agreed to return with a revised version showing complete tracked changes and responses to member feedback.

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🗳 Discussion & Vote – Collaborative Board Appointments

⏰ 00:29:34 – 00:30:55
👤 Presenter(s): Shawn Brandt, Henry Turner

Overview:

Annual appointments to regional collaborative boards were considered.

Vote:

✅ Approved

• SEEM Collaborative Board
• Vote Count: 6-0-0

✅ Approved

• Northshore Education Consortium Board
• Vote Count: 6-0-0

Henry Turner was appointed to both boards.

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🗳 Discussion & Vote – Superintendent Entry Plan Preview

⏰ 00:31:14 – 00:49:07
👤 Presenter(s): Henry Turner

Overview:

Superintendent Turner presented his entry plan framework, emphasizing listening, learning, relationship-building, and data collection before major decision-making.

Key Discussion Points:

• Entry process began immediately after appointment and includes extensive stakeholder engagement.
• Activities include meetings with committee members, district leadership, union leadership, principals, town officials, and community groups.
• Entry survey has generated nearly 200 responses, with additional outreach planned for students.
• Open office hours and community engagement opportunities will be established.
• Findings will inform future strategic planning efforts.
• Formal analysis and reporting phase is expected to begin around February 2027.

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🗳 Discussion & Vote – Superintendent Evaluation Timeline

⏰ 00:49:07 – 00:55:38
👤 Presenter(s): Shawn Brandt, Henry Turner

Overview:

The committee discussed the superintendent evaluation schedule for the first year of Superintendent Turner’s tenure.

Key Discussion Points:

• Members favored annual evaluation during the first year.
• Discussion focused on timing, goal development, and alignment with the superintendent entry process.

Vote:

✅ Approved

Vote Count: 6-0-0

Approved a one-year evaluation cycle with:

• Formative evaluation completed in February 2027.
• Summative evaluation completed in June 2027.

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🗳 Discussion & Vote – Liaison & Subcommittee Assignments

⏰ 00:55:38 – 01:13:06
👤 Presenter(s): Shawn Brandt, School Committee Members

Overview:

The committee reviewed annual liaison and subcommittee assignments following membership changes.

Key Discussion Points:

• Geoffrey Coram expressed interest in Finance Committee and Board of Library Trustees liaison roles.
• Lara Durgavich volunteered to serve as Children’s Cabinet liaison.
• Geoffrey Coram will join the Policy Subcommittee.
• Thomas Wise agreed to serve on the Bylaw Committee.
• Student Advisory Committee support and coordination responsibilities were discussed.
• Wellness Committee and Celebration Trust assignments will be added to tracking documents.
• Chair will distribute an updated assignment summary.

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🗳 Discussion & Vote – Mulberry Forest School Approval Discussion

⏰ 01:13:06 – 01:25:20
👤 Presenter(s): Shawn Brandt, Thomas Wise, Geoffrey Coram, Lara Durgavich

Overview:

The committee discussed a renewed request from Mulberry Forest School seeking approval.

Key Discussion Points:

• Camp Rice Moody has been secured as a facility location, addressing a prior concern.
• Members reiterated concerns raised during the previous review process.
• Questions remain regarding organizational governance, licensing, nonprofit status, transportation obligations, and leadership background concerns.
• Educational equivalency and curriculum alignment with state standards remain important review factors.
• Committee may seek administrative review or validation of curriculum and educational programming.
• Additional materials will be requested before a future presentation.

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🗳 Discussion & Vote – Override Process Discussion

⏰ 01:25:20 – 02:09:15
👤 Presenter(s): Shawn Brandt, Henry Turner, School Committee Members

Overview:

The committee discussed the town’s anticipated override process, school budget implications, public communication strategies, and potential financial scenarios.

Key Discussion Points:

• Select Board is expected to determine an override amount by August 4.
• Members stressed the importance of detailed public information regarding potential impacts if an override fails.
• Discussion included potential budget gaps, staffing impacts, class sizes, extracurricular programs, athletics, and student services.
• Superintendent Turner requested guidance regarding the level of detail desired in future budget-impact presentations.
• Members emphasized the need for transparent communication while recognizing personnel sensitivities.
• Committee discussed reserve funds, alternative revenue sources, facility rentals, user fees, sponsorship opportunities, and other creative approaches.
• Members discussed legal distinctions between public information and advocacy by elected bodies.
• Additional meetings and discussions will occur before override decisions advance.

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🔑 Key Summary

• Consent agenda and prior meeting minutes were approved with a correction documenting member arrival time.
• Superintendent Henry Turner delivered his first district report and outlined staffing, summer programming, and operational updates.
• The revised Wellness Policy (ADF) received a first reading; no approval vote was taken pending revisions.
• Henry Turner was unanimously appointed to both the SEEM Collaborative Board and Northshore Education Consortium Board.
• The committee unanimously approved a one-year superintendent evaluation cycle with February formative and June summative reviews.
• Liaison and subcommittee assignments were updated following membership changes.
• Mulberry Forest School will be asked to provide additional information before further consideration of approval.
• The committee began extensive planning discussions regarding potential override impacts, public communication, and budget priorities.

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