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
- 🗣️ Public Comment
- 📋 Consent Agenda
- 🧾 Superintendent’s Report
- 🏛️ Liaison Reports
- 🌲 Forest Montessori Micro School Proposal
- 💊 School Medication Guidelines
- 🏫 Extended Day Program Update
- 📝 Rental Policy Agreement
- 💻 Acceptable Use Policy
- 📘 Student Handbook Revision
- 🎯 Superintendent Goals (Draft)
- 📅 Superintendent Review Timeline
- 🧑🏫 Superintendent Contract
- 🧾 Key Takeaways
🏫 School Committee Meeting Summary
🗓️ Agenda Overview
🕒 8:07–10:27
Public comment · Consent agenda · Reports · Forest Montessori School proposal · Medication guidelines · Rental policy · Acceptable use policy · Extended day update · Superintendent goals · Handbook revision · Superintendent contract · Executive session
🧑⚖️ School Committee Members Present
Shawn Brandt (Chair) · Carla Nazzaro (Vice Chair) · Tom Wise · Sarah McLaughlin · Lara Durgavich · Erin Gaffen
🗣️ Public Comment
🕒 8:07–19:44
- Topic: Spending concerns on RMHS fieldhouse project
- Speakers: Angela Binda, Nancy Doctor, Steve Herrick
- Concerns:
- $300K spent on unapproved items (batting cage, scoreboards, etc.)
- Lack of transparency and town meeting oversight
- Requests for disclosure, reimbursement, and assurance of future accountability
📋 Consent Agenda
🕒 19:57–20:24
- Approved unanimously (5–0)
🧾 Superintendent’s Report
🕒 20:24–40:37
- Presenter: Dr. Thomas Milaschewski
- Highlights:
- Welcome to 52 new staff members
- Rocket Ambassador program praised by student leaders
- Construction updates:
- RMHS fieldhouse reopening Sept. 2
- Modular classrooms relocated for RISE
- RISE playground resurfaced
- Staffing: 11 open positions, 52 new hires
- New roles: Inclusion specialist, districtwide METCO coordinator
- Summer programs:
- ESY: 191 students, 97% RPS staff
- MLL summer program at Reading Public Library
- Food services awarded Silver Award for summer nutrition
🏛️ Liaison Reports
🕒 40:51–48:23
- Killam Building Committee: Project under budget, abutters meeting planned
- Recreation Committee: Birch Meadow Phase 2 playground arriving Oct–Nov
- Finance Committee: Financial forum Oct 8, free cash vote Oct 22
- SEPAC: Request for CPAC Awareness Month support
- RCTV: Dual enrollment course with UMass Lowell, student grant awarded
🌲 Forest Montessori Micro School Proposal
🕒 48:29–2:34:29
- Presenters: Mary Jirmanus Saba and team
- Proposal: Approval to operate a private micro school in Reading
- Highlights:
- Nature-based Montessori curriculum for PreK–6
- Partnership with Reading Conservation Commission
- Small pilot group (10–15 students)
- Concerns raised:
- Facility readiness and occupancy permit
- Staff credentials and Montessori certification
- Transportation costs for Reading students
- Timeline and operational preparedness
- Outcome: Motion to approve with contingencies failed (3–3 vote)
💊 School Medication Guidelines
🕒 2:34:37–2:42:41
- Presenter: Mary Giuliana
- Updates:
- New emergency medications (e.g., nasal Narcan, Valium, glucagon)
- Expanded staff training and delegation protocols
- Clarified self-carry rules for students
- Outcome: Approved unanimously (6–0)
🏫 Extended Day Program Update
🕒 2:43:04–3:03:50
- Presenter: Chris Nelson
- Changes:
- Renamed to Reading Community Education BASE Program
- Enrichment programs separated from extended day
- Enrichment now open to all students, discounted for extended day
- Stats:
- 663 students enrolled
- 113 on waitlist
- Goals:
- Eliminate waitlist by December
- Expand adult education offerings
- Long-term goal: youth center for middle/high school students
📝 Rental Policy Agreement
🕒 3:05:09–3:05:40
- Updates: Earlier scheduling for community groups, gender-neutral language
- Outcome: Approved unanimously (6–0)
💻 Acceptable Use Policy
🕒 3:05:45–3:08:56
- Updates: Added AI usage language per legal counsel
- Amendment: Student signature page to include AI usage clause
- Outcome: Approved unanimously (6–0)
📘 Student Handbook Revision
🕒 3:21:33–3:22:04
- Update: Added language on curriculum accommodations per Supreme Court ruling
- Outcome: Approved unanimously (6–0)
🎯 Superintendent Goals (Draft)
🕒 3:14:00–3:17:25
- Goals:
- Student outcome data (MCAS, AP, pathways)
- Instructional leadership (EdgeClimber)
- Principal development (with support from Harvard resident Ramsey Merritt)
- Outcome: Initial review; final vote expected next meeting
📅 Superintendent Review Timeline
🕒 3:18:02–3:20:36
- Decision: Two-year cycle
- Formative: May–June 2026
- Summative: May–June 2027
- Outcome: Approved unanimously (6–0)
🧑🏫 Superintendent Contract
🕒 3:42:30–3:47:42
- New Term: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2031
- Changes:
- Base salary: $242,000 (starting SY25–26)
- Retention bonuses: $30K (2029), $15K (2031)
- Additional vacation and personal days
- Outcome: Approved unanimously (6–0)
🧾 Key Takeaways
- 🏗️ RMHS fieldhouse and RISE facilities are ready for the new school year.
- 🌲 Forest Montessori School proposal was denied due to unresolved operational concerns.
- 🧒 Extended Day program restructured to improve access and sustainability.
- 💊 Medication guidelines updated to reflect new emergency treatments.
- 💻 AI usage now formally addressed in student tech policies.
- 🎯 Superintendent goals and contract reaffirm commitment to long-term leadership.
- 📚 Community education continues to expand offerings for students and adults.
