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
🏫 School Committee Meeting Summary
🗓️ Agenda Overview
🕒 2:43–3:47
Public comment · Focus on Excellence · Consent agenda · Reports · School Improvement Plans · Q1 Financial Update · Budget Priorities · Enrollment Update · Policy IKFE (Competency Determination)
🧑⚖️ School Committee Members Present
Shawn Brandt (Chair) · Carla Nazzaro (Vice Chair) · Tom Wise (remote) · Sarah McLaughlin · Lara Durgavich
🌟 Focus on Excellence
🕒 3:59–12:21
🎺 RMHS Marching Band
- Achievements:
- First place in division at home competition
- Competing in NESBA state championship
- Upcoming Disney performance (Dec 13)
- Programs:
- Winter Guard and Indoor Percussion (RNR)
- Symphonic Band preparing for Dec 9 concert
- Community events: tree lighting, Thanksgiving game, alumni night
- Remarks: Dr. Milaschewski and committee praised students, staff, and parent volunteers for excellence and leadership
🎭 RMHS Drama Club
- Note: Cast of Catch Me If You Can was in rehearsal and may attend later
📋 Consent Agenda
🕒 12:27–14:01
- Approved unanimously (5–0), with item 19 (donation from Tom Wise) voted separately
- Item 19 approved (4–0); Tom recused himself
- Donations and grants totaled over $325,000 in recent weeks
🧾 Superintendent’s Report
🕒 14:07–19:38
📚 Literacy Recognition
- National researchers David & Meredith Liben visited Killam to observe ARC implementation
- Praised student engagement and teacher skill
💵 Budget & Community Support
- District awarded $325K+ in state grants
- Donations from community partners continue to support programming
🍽️ SNAP Expiration Response
- Food Services working with town and Reading Food Pantry to support families
- Gift cards and financial donations encouraged
🏛️ Liaison Reports
🕒 19:51–24:31
- Finance Committee: Approved 3% operating budget increase; concern about maintaining AAA bond rating
- Select Board: Will consider SEPAC Awareness Month proclamation
- Recreation Committee: Wood End playground painted; Birch Meadow Phase 2 may be delayed until spring
- Killam Building Committee: Multiple design and stakeholder meetings held
- RCTV: No school-related updates; drama club performances promoted
🏫 School Improvement Plans (SIPs)
🕒 25:32–1:29:46
🏫 Elementary Schools
- Common Goals:
- Data-driven instruction using EduClimber
- Literacy Labs and math assessments (CAS)
- Inclusion practices and PD
- Highlights:
- Barrows: Instructional rounds, PBIS reboot, METCO family engagement
- Birch Meadow: Early literacy focus, reduced absenteeism, Embark program growth
- Joshua Eaton: Writing focus, math tiered interventions, SEL block with pre/post assessments, PBIS leadership roles
- Killam: Equity for ML and IEP students, family communication, building project updates
- Wood End: SEL curriculum expansion, data-driven instruction, special education team development
🏫 Middle Schools
- Common Goals:
- Student engagement and belonging
- UDL and executive functioning
- Data-informed interventions
- Curriculum reviews in science, math, and social studies
- Highlights:
- Coolidge: Passion projects, unified sports, SEL skill-building, advisory curriculum
- Parker: Tier 1 instruction focus, PBIS cafeteria systems, MYCAP pathways, data-driven interventions
🏫 RMHS
- Goals:
- Reduce absenteeism
- Increase grade 9 passing rates
- Expand student voice (listening sessions)
- Improve AP pass rates and SAT performance
- Add sixth innovation career pathway
- Align curriculum and complete NEASC report
🗳️ Outcome
- SIPs for all eight schools approved unanimously (5–0)
💰 Q1 Financial Update
🕒 1:30:06–1:48:06
- General Fund: Tracking well; special ed and facilities encumbrances noted
- Grants: $325K+ awarded; Genocide Education grant supports HS curriculum and PD
- Revolving Accounts:
- School lunch deficit due to delayed reimbursements and capital expenses
- New tracking for lunch, summer, and catering programs
- Reserve Funds: Donations to be reflected in Q2
- Student Activity Accounts: Nature’s Classroom and other trips contribute to early balances
- Scholarships: Interest revenue posted; ongoing donor contributions tracked
📊 Budget Priorities Discussion
🕒 1:48:18–1:52:26
- Outlook: FY27 expected to be level services; FY28 may require difficult decisions
- Priorities:
- Preserve classroom resources
- Evaluate METCO funding and adjustment counselor roles
- Emphasize efficiency and alignment
📈 Enrollment Update
🕒 1:52:45–1:55:54
- Trends:
- Overall enrollment up 20 students
- RISE and K enrollment below projections
- 8th to 9th grade attrition under review
- Similar analysis planned for 5th to 6th grade transition
📜 Policy IKFE: Competency Determination
🕒 1:56:01–2:13:45
- Purpose: Align graduation requirements with new DESE guidance post-MCAS ballot initiative
- Key Points:
- Students must demonstrate mastery and complete coursework
- Mastery may include final exam, capstone, or portfolio
- Policy aligns with DESE rubric; handbook references removed
- Discussion:
- Clarified use of “mastery” vs. “proficiency”
- Reviewed implications of pass/fail grading
- First reading accepted unanimously (5–0)
🧾 Key Takeaways
- 🎺 RMHS Marching Band celebrated for excellence and upcoming Disney performance.
- 📚 School Improvement Plans approved for all schools, emphasizing data-driven goals and inclusive practices.
- 💰 Q1 financials stable; grants and donations continue to support programming.
- 📈 Enrollment trends and attrition under review to inform future planning.
- 📜 First reading of updated competency determination policy accepted.
