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
- 🗣️ Public Comment
- ✅ Meeting Minutes / Consent Agenda Approved
- 🔗 Liaison Reports – Highlights
- 🗳 Discussion & Update – Annual SRO Program
- 🗳 Discussion – Q2 Financial Report
- 🗳 Discussion – FY27 Kindergarten Enrollment Update
- 🗳 Discussion – Killam School Building Committee Composition
- 🗓 Superintendent Search Process Update
- 🔑 Key Summary
📅 February 12, 2026 Reading School Committee Meeting
🕒 Meeting Start: 00:11:24
⏰ Meeting End: 01:21:34
💻 Format: Hybrid
👤 Chair: Shawn Brandt
👥 Attendees: Shawn Brandt, Carla Nazzaro, Lara Durgavich, Erin Gaffen, Sarah McLaughlin, Thomas Wise
👤 Staff: Olivia Lejeune (Executive Assistant) Thomas Milaschewski (Superintendent)
📋 Summary
The School Committee convened for its February 12, 2026 meeting to address routine approvals, receive updates, and hold several in-depth discussions. The agenda included liaison reports, the annual School Resource Officer (SRO) update with Reading Police Department leadership, a comprehensive Q2 financial report, and an update on FY27 kindergarten enrollment projections.
The Committee also discussed the composition and continuity of the Killam School Building Committee, agreeing to maintain Carla Nazzaro’s involvement as a School Committee designee. The meeting concluded with substantive updates and discussion on the superintendent search process, including screening committee composition, site visit structure, and finalist planning. Several votes were taken, including approval of the consent agenda and adjournment.
📑 Agenda Overview
| ⏰ Start Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:11:24 | Call to Order & Roll Call |
| 00:12:46 | Public Comment |
| 00:12:58 | Consent Agenda |
| 00:13:14 | Liaison & Subcommittee Reports |
| 00:16:31 | Annual SRO Update |
| 00:36:45 | Q2 Financial Report |
| 00:54:46 | FY27 Kindergarten Enrollment Update |
| 01:01:29 | Killam School Building Committee Discussion |
| 01:07:02 | Superintendent Search Updates |
| 01:15:03 | Superintendent Search Process Discussion |
| 01:19:34 | Number of Finalist Candidates |
| 01:21:18 | Adjournment |
🗣️ Public Comment
⏰ 00:12:46 – 00:12:55
👤 Presenter(s): None
No in-person or remote public comment.
✅ Meeting Minutes / Consent Agenda Approved
⏰ 00:12:58 – 00:13:11
👤 Presenter(s): Shawn Brandt
Action: Approval of Consent Agenda
✅ Approved
Vote Count: 5–0
Members voting in favor: Sarah McLaughlin, Lara Durgavich, Thomas Wise, Erin Gaffen, Shawn Brandt
🔗 Liaison Reports – Highlights
⏰ 00:13:14 – 00:16:28
👤 Presenter(s): Shawn Brandt, Carla Nazzaro, Thomas Milaschewski
- Staffing / HR
- Substitute Teacher Open House announced for February 26 at Reading Public Library.
- Killam School Project
- 90% design submission sent to MSBA.
- Project tracking approximately $10 million under budget.
- Furniture testing conducted, including evaluation of age-appropriate seating.
- Facilities / Athletics
- Grand opening of the renovated fitness center and athletic training room.
- Project funded through a significant donation from Claudia Mixon.
- Community celebration highlighted broad student and alumni attendance.
🗳 Discussion & Update – Annual SRO Program
⏰ 00:16:31 – 00:36:39
👤 Presenter(s): Reading Police Department leadership; School Resource Officers
Overview:
Reading Police Department presented its annual School Resource Officer update, highlighting collaboration with Reading Public Schools.
Key Discussion Points:
- Strong partnership between RPD and Reading Public Schools.
- SRO staffing updates and promotions within the department.
- Ongoing ALICE training and crisis response planning.
- Student safety initiatives, including threat assessment (SESTAG).
- Expanded mental health, digital safety, and community engagement programming.
- Continued and expanded use of comfort dogs in schools.
- Plans for a second Reading Youth Police Academy in Summer 2026.
- Discussion on online safety education for students and parents.
No vote taken.
🗳 Discussion – Q2 Financial Report
⏰ 00:36:45 – 00:54:30
👤 Presenter(s): District Finance Staff; Thomas Milaschewski
Overview:
The Committee reviewed the second-quarter financial report.
Key Discussion Points:
- Overall financial position described as stable.
- Anticipated ~$1 million year-end balance for special education prepayments and IT refresh.
- Grant activity updates, including innovation and earmark grants.
- Revolving accounts remain positive; extended day program showing improvement.
- Food service fund timing issues due to delayed state reimbursements.
- Capital expenditures included new kitchen equipment and vehicle delivery.
- Identification of inactive Coolidge extracurricular account for future closure (vote deferred).
No vote taken; action deferred to a future agenda.
🗳 Discussion – FY27 Kindergarten Enrollment Update
⏰ 00:54:46 – 01:01:23
👤 Presenter(s): Thomas Milaschewski, Olivia Lejeune
Overview:
Preliminary kindergarten enrollment data following the February 4 priority deadline.
Key Discussion Points:
- 246 students registered districtwide.
- No additional kindergarten teacher anticipated at this time.
- Enrollment capacity varies by school; flexibility remains.
- Anticipated additional 20 students based on prior-year trends.
- Discussion of declining enrollment trends in specific neighborhoods.
- Potential future need to revisit district boundary alignments.
No vote taken.
🗳 Discussion – Killam School Building Committee Composition
⏰ 01:01:29 – 01:07:02
👤 Presenter(s): Shawn Brandt, Carla Nazzaro
Overview:
Discussion on maintaining continuity on the Killam School Building Committee.
Key Discussion Points:
- MSBA requires only one School Committee member on the committee.
- Agreement that Carla Nazzaro may continue as a School Committee designee.
- Broad consensus on the value of continuity and institutional knowledge.
No formal vote required; consensus reached.
🗓 Superintendent Search Process Update
⏰ 01:07:02 – 01:21:20
👤 Presenter(s): Shawn Brandt, Thomas Milaschewski
Overview:
Update and discussion regarding superintendent search logistics.
Key Discussion Points:
- Screening committee finalized, including community and public safety representation.
- MASC providing facilitation support; orientation scheduled for February 24.
- Committee ahead of statewide search timelines.
- Discussion on scope and structure of site visits and finalist engagement.
- Consensus to maintain robust stakeholder engagement despite time demands.
- Guidance provided to target 3–4 finalists.
No vote taken.
🔑 Key Summary
- Consent agenda approved unanimously.
- Killam School project remains on track and significantly under budget.
- Reading Police Department provided a comprehensive and positive SRO annual update.
- Q2 financials show stable performance; no immediate fiscal concerns identified.
- FY27 kindergarten enrollment projections do not require additional staffing at this time.
- Committee agreed to retain Carla Nazzaro on the Killam School Building Committee as a designee.
- Superintendent search process is ahead of schedule, with a broad and inclusive evaluation plan.
