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
- 🌟 Community Spotlight
- ✅ Meeting Minutes Approved
- 🗣️ Student Report
- 🔗 Liaison Reports – Highlights
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – Appoint Director of Finance
- 🗳 Discussion – School Choice Program
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – Superintendent Search Finalists
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – Superintendent Interview Process Planning
- 🗳 Discussion & Vote – Adjournment
- 🔑 Key Summary
📅 March 19, 2026 Reading School Committee Meeting
🕒 Meeting Start: 00:05:34
⏰ Meeting End: 01:34:22
💻 Format: Hybrid
👤 Chair: Shawn Brandt
👥 Attendees: Shawn Brandt, Carla Nazzaro, Lara Durgavich, Sarah McLaughlin, Thomas Wise, Thomas Milaschewski, Olivia Lejeune
Absent: Erin Gaffen
📋 Summary
The March 19, 2026 Reading School Committee meeting included a major student recognition honoring the Reading Memorial High School Drama Club for advancing to the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild state finals for the first time in 23 years. The Committee unanimously approved the consent agenda, received a student report highlighting academic programs and extracurricular achievements, and heard liaison updates on school building, finance, and media operations.
Key business actions included appointing a permanent Director of Finance, reaffirming continued participation in the School Choice program, and unanimously approving four finalists for the Superintendent position. The latter portion of the meeting focused extensively on planning the superintendent finalist interview process, including interview scheduling, public access, and development of consistent and equitable interview questions. The meeting concluded with consensus on interview procedures and a unanimous vote to adjourn.
📑 Agenda Overview
| ⏰ Start Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 00:05:34 | Call to Order & Agenda Review |
| 00:07:02 | Public Comment |
| 00:07:10 | Focus on Excellence – Drama Club |
| 00:17:40 | Consent Agenda |
| 00:18:05 | Student Report |
| 00:20:32 | Liaison Reports |
| 00:25:03 | ACE / Bill Russell Committee Update |
| 00:40:14 | Vote – Director of Finance |
| 00:43:23 | School Choice Discussion |
| 00:55:25 | Superintendent Finalists Vote |
| 01:09:03 | Superintendent Search Timeline |
| 01:15:02 | Superintendent Interview Planning |
| 01:34:02 | Adjournment |
🗣️ Public Comment
⏰ 00:07:02 – 00:07:10
👤 Presenter(s): None
No in-person or remote public comment.
🌟 Community Spotlight
⏰ 00:07:10 – 00:17:35
👤 Presenter(s): Thomas Milaschewski; RMHS Drama Club Students
Focus on Excellence – RMHS Drama Club
- Advanced to MEG State Finals; 15 of 96 schools remain.
- First state finals appearance in 23 years.
- Students described adaptation of St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves.
- Multiple All-Star awards for acting and technical achievement.
- Upcoming benefit performance and state finals on March 28.
- Emphasis on student community, mentorship, and technical support.
✅ Meeting Minutes Approved
⏰ 00:17:40 – 00:18:01
👤 Presenter(s): Shawn Brandt
Consent Agenda: ✅ Approved
Vote Count: 5–0
🗣️ Student Report
⏰ 00:18:05 – 00:20:30
👤 Presenter(s): Thea Cuna
- Senior internships begin April 8; approximately two-thirds eligible.
- French exchange trip scheduled for March 30.
- Future exchanges planned for Spain, Switzerland, and Japan.
- Grade 10 ELA MCAS testing with delayed openings.
- Recognition of DECA, Robotics, Winter Guard, and academic achievements.
- Spring athletics underway.
🔗 Liaison Reports – Highlights
⏰ 00:20:32 – 00:25:00
👤 Presenter(s): Carla Nazzaro, Erin Gaffen, Thomas Wise, Lara Durgavich
- Killam School Building Committee
- MSBA membership update submitted.
- Parking and gym flooring issues under review.
- Authorization pursued for solar/geothermal tax credits via Inflation Reduction Act.
- RCTV
- Executive Director search nearing completion.
- Finance Committee
- Added $25,000 for Unified Sports (6–0).
- Supported FY26 budget (8–0).
- Adaptive programming stabilization fund failed on a 4–4 advisory vote.
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Appoint Director of Finance
⏰ 00:40:14 – 00:43:16
👤 Presenter(s): Thomas Milaschewski
Overview
- Recommendation to appoint Phil Little Hale as permanent Director of Finance.
Key Discussion Points
- Stability and strong fiscal leadership during interim period.
- Anticipated budget challenges ahead.
- Operational responsibilities to be revisited with a new superintendent.
Vote
✅ Approved
Vote Count: 5–0
🗳 Discussion – School Choice Program
⏰ 00:43:23 – 00:54:49
👤 Presenter(s): Thomas Milaschewski
Overview
- District enrolls 77 School Choice students.
Key Discussion Points
- Benefits include diversity, staffing support, and financial contribution.
- No interest expressed in opting out for FY26.
- Consideration of long-term enrollment caps.
- Assurance of full special education cost reimbursement.
Outcome
- No vote taken; consensus to continue participation.
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Superintendent Search Finalists
⏰ 00:55:25 – 01:08:27
👤 Presenter(s): Thomas Wise, Thomas Milaschewski
Overview
- 24 applicants reviewed; 11 interviewed by screening committee.
Finalists
- Andrew Bott
- Wendy Crocker Rober
- Heather Galante
- Dr. Henry Turner
Vote
✅ Approved
Vote Count: 5–0
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Superintendent Interview Process Planning
⏰ 01:15:02 – 01:33:26
👤 Presenter(s): Shawn Brandt, Thomas Milaschewski, School Committee Members
Overview
- Planning of finalist interviews, site visits, and public access.
Key Discussion Points
- Interviews split across two nights.
- Second night to be broadcast live; first night recorded and released during or after second night begins.
- Aim to prevent candidates from accessing questions in advance.
- Centralized compilation of interview questions by the Chair with limited member feedback.
- Same questions, order, and assignment for all candidates.
- Scenario-based case study sent to candidates the morning of interviews.
- Limited follow-up questions during interviews.
- Members to submit proposed questions for interviews and site visits.
Outcome
- No formal vote; consensus reached.
🗳 Discussion & Vote – Adjournment
⏰ 01:34:02 – 01:34:22
👤 Presenter(s): Shawn Brandt
✅ Approved
Vote Count: 5–0
🔑 Key Summary
- RMHS Drama Club recognized for advancing to state finals for the first time in 23 years.
- Consent agenda approved unanimously.
- Phil Little Hale appointed permanent Director of Finance by a 5–0 vote.
- Committee reaffirmed continued participation in the School Choice program.
- Four superintendent finalists unanimously approved.
- Superintendent interviews scheduled over two nights with measures to ensure fairness and consistency.
- Centralized, standardized interview questions and scenario-based case study adopted.
- Meeting adjourned unanimously.
