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
🗓️ December 18, 2025
🕒 ~2hr24min
🧑⚖️ School Committee Members Present
Shawn Brandt (Chair) · Carla Nazzaro (Vice Chair) · Tom Wise · Sarah McLaughlin · Lara Durgavich · Erin Gaffen
Absent: Sarah McLaughlin
📅 Agenda Overview
| Timestamp | Topic |
|---|---|
| 09:57 | Meeting Called to Order & Agenda Overview |
| 11:02 | Public Comment |
| 11:08 | Focus on Excellence – RMHS DECA Chapter Recognition |
| 26:42 | Consent Agenda |
| 27:12 | Reports (Student Updates, Superintendent, Liaisons) |
| 37:06 | New Business – HR Update (Q1 FY26) |
| 43:56 | Math Pathways Presentation |
| 1:16:25 | FY27 Fee Discussions (Transportation, Driver’s Ed, Extended Day, Athletics & Arts, Facilities Rentals) |
| 2:06:15 | Kindergarten Enrollment Projections |
| 2:11:53 | Superintendent Transition & Search Process |
| 2:23:59 | Motion to Adjourn |
🌟 Focus on Excellence: RMHS DECA Chapter
🕒 11:08–26:36
- Highlights:
- Membership growth: 17 members (2023) → 154 members (2025)
- 50 students qualified for State Leadership Conference (largest in RMHS history)
- Students presented innovative projects (e.g., 3D printed braille, iron-enhancing beverage)
- Community engagement: Fall Street Fair, financial literacy workshops, Rocket Retail school store
- Service initiatives: Flower donations to shelters, cancer research fundraising ($1,000 raised)
- Funding Needs:
- Goal: $10,000 to offset $28,000 cost for state competition
- Sponsorship opportunities and Snap Raise campaign launching January 12
- Outcome: Committee praised DECA’s growth, leadership, and community impact; group photo taken
📋 Consent Agenda
🕒 26:42–27:12
- Approved unanimously (5–0)
- Note: Final donation from Claudia Mixon Fenaris received, completing $500K+ gift for RMHS fitness center renovation
- Flooring installed; equipment arriving; ribbon-cutting planned for early January
🧑🎓 Student Reports
🕒 28:12–31:28
- Highlights:
- Winter choir concert (Dec 18); band concert success and Disney performance
- Winter recess begins Dec 23; midterms Jan 20–23
- Career Day (Jan 29); PTO meeting (Jan 26)
- New financial literacy dual-enrollment course launching with Endicott College & Reading Cooperative Bank
- NHS applications opening for juniors (requirements: 40 service hours, 3.5 GPA, leadership roles)
🧾 Superintendent’s Report
- No formal report; echoed appreciation for community partnerships and program growth
🏛️ Liaison Reports
🕒 31:34–36:54
- Killam School Building Committee:
- RFQs issued for code review, tax consultant (IRA grant opportunities), and materials testing
- Approved early procurement for electrical switchgear due to long lead times
- Ongoing design work for RISE preschool and signage decisions
- Added offsite work as bid alternate; approved facilities clerk position for construction oversight
🧑💼 HR Update (Q1 FY26)
🕒 37:06–43:51
- Key Metrics:
- 92 positions filled; teacher hiring down (39 → 26) due to stronger retention
- Zero open teaching positions
- Resignations down (12 vs. 23 last year); no teacher resignations
- Internal mobility strong; paraeducators moving into specialized roles
- Trend: District entering stable staffing phase post-pandemic
- Committee Feedback: Praised HR team for professionalism and retention improvements
📐 Math Pathways Update
🕒 43:56–1:16:15
- Proposed Changes:
- Honors Algebra II with Trigonometry (accelerated path to AP Calculus)
- Integrated Algebra I/Geometry pathway for foundational support
- AP Precalculus split into 3-unit and 4-unit options
- Goals:
- Increase equity and flexibility
- Reduce reliance on outside programs for acceleration
- Maintain four-year math requirement
- Discussion:
- Committee praised expanded options; raised questions on implementation timeline and advanced placement flexibility
- Target rollout: 2026–27 school year for most changes
💵 FY27 Fee Discussions
🕒 1:16:25–2:06:08
Transportation
- Proposed increase: $475 → $500 (single rider); $850 → $900 (two riders); family cap remains $1,200
- Committee requested rider distribution data and multi-year P\&L before vote
Driver’s Education
- Proposed increase: $710 → $750; additional lessons $15/hr → $20/hr; road test sponsor $95 → $100
- Approved unanimously (5–0)
Extended Day
- Discussion only; survey underway on enrichment pricing models
- Committee emphasized optionality and clarity for families
Athletics & Arts
- Proposed $10 increase for drama, band, and athletics; family caps unchanged
- Committee requested:
- Historical P\&L for drama/band
- Cost breakdown by sport (including rentals and uniforms)
- Consideration of tiered athletic fees and holistic family activity cap
- Exploration of advertising revenue opportunities
Facilities Rentals
- Proposed increase: 5% for Reading nonprofits and out-of-town nonprofits; 9% for out-of-town for-profits
- Approved unanimously (5–0)
📊 Kindergarten Enrollment Projections
🕒 2:06:15–2:11:53
- Census-based projections suggest possible need for one additional classroom
- Committee discussed boundary adjustments and creative staffing solutions; no action required
🔍 Superintendent Transition & Search Process
🕒 2:11:53–2:23:59
- Dr. Milaschewski announced departure at end of school year; expressed gratitude and optimism for district’s future
- Committee authorized Chair and Vice Chair to engage search firm (MASC or NESDEC) and return with process outline in January
- Screening committee to include:
- 2 School Committee members
- Central office and building leaders
- Staff reps (Rise, elementary, middle, high school)
- Parents (including CPAC and METCO)
- Town manager/delegate and public safety representative
🧾 Key Takeaways
- 🌟 RMHS DECA recognized for record growth and community impact; fundraising underway for state competition
- 🏋️♂️ RMHS fitness center renovation nearly complete; ribbon-cutting in January
- 🧑💼 HR report shows strong retention and zero teacher vacancies
- 📐 Math pathways expansion to increase equity and flexibility
- 💵 Fee adjustments discussed; driver’s ed and facility rental increases approved; others pending further analysis
- 🔍 Superintendent search process initiated; community engagement planned for January
