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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-09 Board of Selectmen Packet�o OF 117? Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 -2685 ,639'IN ORQ6�P FAX: (781) 942 -9071 Email: townmanager @ci.reading.ma.us WPhsite: www. readincimamov VOLUNTEER VACANCY TOWN OF READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE TOWN MANAGER (781) 942 -9043 One vacancy exists on the School Committee. The powers of the School Committee include but are not limited to appointment of the Superintendent of Schools and all other officers and employees associated with the schools; and the School Committee shall make all reasonable rules and regulations consistent with law for the administration and management of the schools of the Town. Interested applicants may apply at the Town Clerk's office, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, Massachusetts by 5:30 p.m. on August 12, 2013 or until the position is filled. Although the term for this position expires April 2015, the appointment that will be made by a joint meeting of the School Committee and Board of Selectmen will have a term expiring on Election day April 8, 2014. w 0 w G r"- hJ w .C' frl---y y' O 7C CD ern 012- KM � �_ Aunointing AuthoritX Number of Members Three years Elected Six Members whose terms are so arranged that two terms shall expire each year Meetings Twice a month on the first and third Mondays (Board meets every -Monday during budget preparation time) Authojift Reading Charter — Adopted March 24, 1986 PPuMme The School Committee shall have all of the powers and duties that School Committees are given under the Constitution and General Laws of the Commonwealth, 'and such additional powers and duties as may be authorized by the Charter, by Bylaw or by other Town Meeting vote. The powers of the School Committee shall include but need not be limited to the following: (a) The School Committee shall appoint a Superintendent of Schools and all other officers and. employees associated with the schools, fix their . compensation,. define their duties, make rules concerning their tenure of office and may discharge them. (b) The School Committee shall make all reasonable rules and regulations consistent with law for the administration and management of the public schools of the Town. Ch.-airman Hal Croft Reading School Committee Reading Public Schools 82 Oakland Road Plead In& M A 81 867 Dear Hal, Based on a work assignment in Europe, it is with sincere refit that t s m t my letter of resignation from the Reading School Committee effective 1u.1y 23.2013. It has been a privilege and honor to serve on the Committee. I wish the Committee and the entire community much continued sung with our outstanding schol system. Very truly pum, Robert L. cc: Rftding School CoMmIttee I)r- John Whertyy, Superintendent Reading ftar+d of SLq"tmen R *rt Lelwbcur, Town Manager Laura Gemme, Town clerk ra F- I RECEIVED TOWN CLERK �ADING. MASS. APPLICATION FOR APPOINTMENT TO BOARDS /C0MMITTEES /C0MMI3j8jgM _ g A ii= I I Name:... E0' -CXWZ� V-•l c r;'CA nn-Q- Mar 40 Date: b's (Last) (First) (Middle) Address: Tel. (Homc 0 Tel. (Work) -- (Is this number listed ?) Occupation: �4 N--�My- 01,-'AA # of years in Reading:__ Are you a registered voter in Reading? P S e -mail addr---- Place a number next to your preferred position(s) (up to four choices) with #1 being your first priority. (Attach a resume if available) _Animal Control Appeals Committee `Aquatics Advisory Board Audit Committee _Board of Appeals _Board of Cemetery Trustees _Board of Health _Board of Registrars _Bylaw Committee Celebration Committee Cities for Climate Protection _Commissioner of Trust Funds _Community Planning & Development Comm _Conservation Commission Constable _Economic Development Committee _Finance Committee _Historical Commission _Housing Authority `Human Relations Advisory Committee _Land Bank Committee _MBTA Advisory Committee ,Metropolitan Area Planning Council Mystic Valley Elder Services �RCTV Board of Directors Recreation Committee RMLD Citizens Advisory Board Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Committee _Contributory Retirement Board _Town Forest Committee _Council on Aging _Trails Committee _Cultural Council West Street Historic District Commission `Custodian of Soldiers' & Sailors' Graves —Other Please outline relevant experience for the position(s) sought: to -k e 1)C nC on `f C c' )VI (9 Jeanne Borawski 3 Deer Path Lane• Reading, NIA 01867 (617) 723-5744 0 jeanne_borawskiLhotmail.com August 8, 2013 Board of Selectmen School Committee Town of Reading 16 Lowell St Reading, MA 01867 Dear Selectmen and School Committee Members: a I would appreciate your consideration for appointment to the recently vacated seat on the School Committee. I have been a resident of Reading for over five years. For much of that time I have been a Town Meeting member. This experience has given me a deep appreciation for the strengths that make our town special, and an awareness of the challenges that face us in the future. For the past two years, I have been a member of the Town's Finance Committee. I have a thorough knowledge of the school budget and how it fits into the town's overall budget and budgeting process. I would bring to the School Committee a mix of private and public sector experience. After earning my undergraduate degree from The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, I accepted a position at People's Bank in Connecticut. As a Senior Marketing Officer, I was responsible for managing all customer loyalty and retention programs for a portfolio of over one million customers nationwide. I managed two full time employees in that role, and was responsible for defining and measuring program success. I left that position to earn a Masters Degree in Secondary English Education at Tufts University. I spent five years as a teacher in Wilmington, where I was a leader in my department Due to a faculty retirement, I was asked to teach Senior Honors English and when our principal retired I was selected to serve on the search committee to find his replacement I have a son at Barrows and a daughter who will join him next year. This past year I was a "room mom" for my son's first grade class, and had the opportunity to spend a good deal of time in his classroom as a volunteer. I saw first-hand the excellent education our kids are getting in Reading. I am also a volunteer teacher with Understanding Disabilities, which afforded me the opportunity to spend time in fourth grade classrooms at Barrows and Wood End. This past spring, I was a parent representative on the search committee tasked with finding a new principal for Barrows when Mrs. Callan announced her retirement. I am a product of public education in Massachusetts and a fierce advocate for the best possible education for every child. I understand that this appointment is only until April, at which time I will have to run in a local election for the seat I appreciate your consideration. Sincerely, Jeanne Borawski o� orl? Town of Reading y 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 -2685 :,HCo FAX: (781) 942 -9071 Email: townmanager @ci.reading.ma.us TOWN MANAGER Website: www. readingma.gov (781) 942 -9043 August 27, 2013 Jeanne Borawski 3 Deer Path Lane Reading, MA 01867 Dear Ms. Borawski: Thank you for applying for a position on School Committee for the Town of Reading. The Board of Selectmen and School Committee will be jointly interviewing candidates on September 9, 2013, in the Superintendent's Conference Room, 82 Oakland Road, Reading, MA. We have scheduled your interview to take place at 7:45 p.m. Attached is a copy of the description of the Board(s), Committee(s) or Commission(s) to which you have applied. Please make sure that we have in advance a resume or description of your qualifications if you would like to submit this material. Also, please note that the Charter requires that you be a resident of Reading and the Board of Selectmen requires that you be a registered voter to be considered for appointment (there are exceptions if the applicant is not old enough to be a registered voter). The following is a list of questions that are commonly asked of new applicants. 1. Can you meet the time commitment that will be required for this position? 2. Are there any conflicts in your personal or professional life with serving in the position that you seek? 3. Briefly summarize your qualifications. Why are you interested in this particular position? 4. Are there any specific issues that you would like to deal with as a member of this Committee? 5. Are you available to attend the Massachusetts Association of School Committee New School Committee Training Sessions and other required trainings as part of your new role? 6. Are you accessible to residents who have business before the School Committee — i.e. do you have a listed telephone number? Please contact Paula Schena at 942 -9043 and let her know whether or not you will be able to be present for this interview. Sin c", iI v Robert W. LeLacheur, Jr. Town Manager RWL/ps cc: Superintendent of Schools School Committee Board of Selectmen 0 Name: (f O C O 9 . PM 5: 01 Town of Reading, MA Application for Appointment to Boards /Committees /Commissions (Last) (First) (Middle) Address: /r�VY1l7t�c%!/ Occupation: Date: ?113 Tel. (Hom, Tel. (Work) ---. — (Is this number listed ?) of years in Reading:L? Are you a registered voter in Reading?-7 (-5 e -mail address Place a number next to your preferred position(s) (up to four choices) with #I being your first. priority. _ Animal ControI Appeals Committee _Audit Committee _Board of Appeals _Board of Cemetery Trustees _Board of Health Board of Registrars ,Bylaw Committee _Celebration Committee Climate Advisory Committee _Commissioner of Trust Funds _Community Planning & Development Comm. _Conservation Commission _Constable Contributory Retirement Board Council on Aging _Cultural Council _Custodian of Soldiers' & Sailors' Graves Economic Development Committee _Fall Street Faire'Committee _Finance Committee _Historical Commission _Housing Authority _Human Relations Advisory Committee MBTA Advisory Board _Metropolitan Area Planning Council _Mystic Valley Elder Services — RCTV Board of Directors _ Recreation Committee RMLD Citizens Advisory Board Town Forest Committee Trails Committee West Street Historic District Commission Ad Hoc Committee Other _IC?OInJC sC'ffUOL �i.�t.� /�' Please outline relevant experience for the position(s) sought: (feel free to attach a resume or other statement of interest/qualifications) E`K / IJX/ -2-7h��4. Y y )241 g e-q-e- Lit �3 lec-,O A )C1 n% Revised 4 -10 -12 Y? To: Members of the Reading School Committee and Reading Board of Selectman From: Richard Coco Date: August 29, 2013 I respectfully submit my name for consideration to be appointed to the Reading School Committee for the interim period from the date of the appointment until the next Reading Town Election to be held in April, 2014. Attached is a brief resume outlining my education, Reading Town government and professional engineering experience. I believe my experience makes me uniquely qualified to successfully fulfill the requirements of this interim appointment. I have a strong commitment to education and as a former member of the Reading School Committee have a first -hand working understanding of the committees' responsibilities and duties to successfully serve this interim appointment. This is especially relevant with the need to quickly begin to work with the administration and Reading finance committee to develop and fine tune the school department budget for presentation to the citizens of Reading in early 2014 and to Town Meeting for its ultimate approval. Finally, it is not my intent to seek election to the Reading School Committee in the spring, 2014 Town election and seek the interim appointment simply to provide my previous experience as a member of this committee and to contribute in a positive manner in its deliberations. Respe�ctfully, - Richard H. Coco 4 Fremont Street TM Member, PCT 4. ( D E13 Resume Richard H. Coco 4 Fremont Street Reading, MA 01867 Education Boston University — College of Engineering — BS - Aeronautical Engineering -1962 MIT - Master of Science — Aero /Astro Engineering -1969 JD - New England School of Law —1999 Reading Town Government Experience Reading Town Meeting - Member - April 1976 — September 1995; April 2010 — Present. Reading School Committee — served from April 1980 thru April 1989, Chairman 1986. Reading Finance Committee - Member 1989 -1995, Chairman, 1994. Professional Experience Wakefield Memorial High School April 2007 — Present Permanent building Substitute at Wakefield Memorial High School — providing coverage for absent teachers. Assignments covered all subjects at the school from math, science, foreign language through music. Several assignments were for 1 - 2 weeks duration. MIT — Laboratory for Nuclear Science September 1999 — December 2004 Project engineer assigned to the US portion of the ATLAS High Energy Physics experiment which was installed at CERN, Geneva, Switzerland. The ATLAS detector was designed to study and identify elemental high energy particles such as the Higgs - Boson. Draper Laboratory - Member of the Technical Staff August 1976 — June 1998 Project Manager — managed technical group responsible for the design, fabrication and delivery of satellite attitude control reaction wheels. Assigned to various other technical programs at Draper. tot) 313 °FR Town of Reading �o 16 Lowell Street '6,9. rrrc0 wP° Reading, MA 01867 -2685 FAX: (781) 942 -9071 Email: townmanager @ci.reading.ma.us TOWN MANAGER Website: www. readingma.gov (781) 942 -9043 September 3, 2013 Richard H. Coco 4 Fremont Street Reading, MA 018667 Dear Mr. Coco: Thank you for applying for a position on School Committee for the Town of Reading. The Board of Selectmen and School Committee will be jointly interviewing candidates on September 9, 2013, in the Superintendent's Conference Room, 82 Oakland Road, Reading, MA. We have scheduled your interview to take place at 7:45 p.m. Attached is a copy of the description of the Board(s), Committee(s) or Commission(s) to which you have applied. Please make sure that we have in advance a resume or description of your qualifications if you would like to submit this material. Also, please note that the Charter requires that you be a resident of Reading and the Board of Selectmen requires that you be a registered voter to be considered for appointment (there are exceptions if the applicant is not old enough to be a registered voter). The following is a list of questions that are commonly asked of new applicants. 1. Can you meet the time commitment that will be required for this position? 2. Are there any conflicts in your personal or professional life with serving in the position that you seek? 3. Briefly summarize your qualifications. Why are you interested in this particular position? 4. Are there any specific issues that you would like to deal with as a member of this Committee? 5. Are you available to attend the Massachusetts Association of School Committee New School Committee Training Sessions and other required trainings as part of your new role? 6. Are you accessible to residents who have business before the School Committee — i.e. do you have a listed telephone number? Please contact Paula Schena at 942 -9043 and let her know whether or not you will be able to be present for this interview. Sincerely, a� Robert W. Lel-acheur, Jr. Town Manager RWUps cc: Superintendent of Schools School Committee Board of Selectmen a APPLICA 11% Name: Fco0.k"�-o Ty1c�ft�-rl (Last) (First) (Middle) Address: � OL( 'S�- RECEIVED TOWN CLERK 11:EADING. MASS. [TTEES /COMMISSIONS 1013 AUG - I P 5-- IN Date: I3 Tel. (Homo _ Tel. (Work) (Is this number listed ?) Occupation: # of years in Reading:_ d- Are you a registered voter in Reading? Pte_ e -mail addres- Place a number next to your preferred position(s) (up to four choices) with #1 being your first priority. (Attach a resume if available) _Animal Control Appeals Committee Aquatics Advisory Board Audit Committee _Board of Appeals _Board of Cemetery Trustees _Board of Health _Board of Registrars _Bylaw Committee _Celebration Committee _Cities for Climate Protection Commissioner of Trust Funds _Community Planning & Development Comm. _Conservation Commission Constable Contributory Retirement Board _Council on Aging _Cultural Council Custodian of Soldiers' & Sailors' Graves _Economic Development Committee Finance Committee Historical Commission Housing Authority Human Relations Advisory Committee Land Bank Committee MBTA Advisory Committee Metropolitan Area Planning Council Mystic Valley Elder Services RCTV Board of Directors Recreation Committee RMLD Citizens Advisory Board Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Committee Town Forest Committee Trails Committee West Street Historic District Commission ,%Other Scro o ` Co.^y-, M � *' e e- Please outline relevant experience for the position(s) sought: Ta r e-(,o.lcLk an Qnnc cc+ F',r �enc1 S a� CZer �eC�+�PA� r o� ine HARTSHORN STREET " "' MA 01R67 P • E -MAIL SHANNON FRATTO SUMMARY Lifelong Reading Resident and dedicated volunteer looking to obtain a position as a School Committee Member where I can make a positive contribution to the Reading Public School System. Contributions to the Board include: exceptional knowledge of participatory programs, proficient with fund raising techniques, strong organizational and mentoring experience, and the superior ability to coordinate various activities while engaging the local community. EXPERIENCE Birch Meadow Elementary WASH Committee Current • This committee addresses issues related to wellness, allergies, safety and health Birch Meadow Elementary Enrichment Program 2011 — present • Assists teachers with booking and organizing programs either in school or at carefully selected locations for their classes Birch Meadow Elementary Room Mother 2010 -2013 • Assists with communication between teachers and parents and relaying vital classroom information on curriculum and planned events Birch Meadow Planning Committee 2009 • Contributed to creating a community vision and Master Plan in the Birch Meadow area for recreation and open space • Established the Master Plan for the Birch Meadow Complex Friends of Reading Recreation (FORR) 2006 - present • Enhancing the recreational and leisure opportunities in the town of Reading. We create fun activities for low or no cost to the community. • Halloween parade • The Annual Daddy /Daughter Dance • The Annual Mother /Son Lowell Spinners Annual Summer Outing • The Reading Fun Run on Town Day • Flash Mob Event for fireworks S. FRATTO PAGE 1 OF 2 ok3 Tot Lot Renovation Project: 2005-2006 • Spearheaded the organization of a neighborhood group to plan and fund the renovation of the Tot Lot playground on Bancroft Ave, the first town playground geared specifically to children under the age of 8 and the only one utilizing rubber mulch as a safety measure. Fundraisers include: • Family Fun Day and Fundraiser Kick -off • An auction night at the knights of Columbus • The Brick Fundraiser, bricks sold are the walkway into the Tot Lot EDUCATION Framisi Color Specialist and Instructor for Dellaria Salon Cosmetology License in Massachusetts 1998 - present New England Hair Academy 1998 Associates Degree, Middlesex Community College 1997 Reading Memorial High School 1994 ADDITIONAL SKILLS • Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) • Experienced Board and Committee Member • Experienced Public Speaker • Experienced relationship manager with a proven track record of raising funds. • Well established network within the local Reading Community S. FRATTO PAGE 2 OF 2 Oq FAX: (781) 942 - 5441 Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867 -2685 RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 - 9075 To Whom It May Concern: September 5, 2013 It is my pleasure that I recommend Shannon Fratto as a candidate for the School Committee. I have known Shannon since 2005 and feel as if I can give a good representation of her character. During the time I have known Shannon; I have found her to be an extremely hard working individual. She is flexible, detail oriented and a team player. I first came into contact with Shannon in 2005. She was interested in helping renovate the Tot Lot playground on Bancroft Ave. At the time the Town did not have a lot of funding to do the project. She took it upon herself to raise awareness in the neighborhood about the new playground and spearheaded a very successful fundraising effort. The playground was built about six months later and is still regarded as one of the best tot playgrounds in the area. After this interaction, I recommended that Shannon become one of the first members of the Friends of Reading Recreation. This was a hand picked group of individuals that had one single agenda, "make Reading better ". I felt her energy, dedication and ability to work through processes and guidelines would be a huge asset to the group. She did not disappoint. Soon after she joined F.O.R.R. you could really see her horizons broadening as she became more involved in the community in which she was raise. As a person, Shannon is well respected by her friends and colleagues. She's not afraid to speak up or challenge inequities especially if there is a child on the short end of the stick. Not often do you find somebody with so many intangibles. She is flexible, honest and most importantly a very kind and thoughtful person. I feel fortunate to have worked with such a high quality individual as Shannon Fratto. If you are looking for a committee member with a good work ethic that understands people, then I invite you to consider Shannon Fratto. I recommend Shannon enthusiastically without reservation. If you should need more information regarding Ms. Fratto's background or abilities please do not hesitate in contacting me. My number in the office is (781) 942 -6674. If I am not available, please leave a message and I will get back to you within one day. *I September 6, 2013 To Whom It May Concern I am writing this letter to recommend Mrs. Shannon Fratto for the current Reading School Committee position vacated by Mr. Robert Spedefors. I have known Mrs. Fratto for marry years watching her grow from a child in my neighborhood to a productive mother of four who is dedicated to the education and well -being of Reading's children. She is a hard worker and a confident young woman who will give *her air to make whatever project she is supporting become a reality for the children of Reading. I an personally attest to her hard work In creating the 'Tot Lor on Bancroft Avenue. She spearheaded door to door solicitation for the funding and support not only in the immediate neighborhood but also the entire Reading community. She was instrumental in making this heppenl Shannon has also been very involved in the Birch Meadow School initiatives working very diligently to make her children's school an ideal place to loam and grow. She brings her openers to new Ideas, her work ethics, and her dedication to any project needing her support I strongly recommend Mrs. Shannon Fratto for a seat on the Reading School Committee and think she will be an asset to the town of Reading. Sincerely, Mrs. Maria Tomasello Refired Educator Reading Pudic Schools 9 September 7, 2013 Board of Selectmen School Committee Reading, MA Dear Board of Selectmen and School Committee, I would like to submit my letter of recommendation for Shannon Fratto for the position on School Committee. I have known Shannon for over seven years through our common interest in Recreation in town. I first met her as she undertook and led the efforts to renovate and rebuild the Tot Lot Playground near the Bancroft Street tennis courts. She demonstrated the abilities to outline a vision and strategy (including design and fundraising) while executing the plan by enlisting volunteers to assist with the efforts. This resulted in the now popular Tot Lot. It is our work together on Friends of Reading Recreation (FORR) that has clearly shown Shannon's passion and dedication,for being part of a team, striving for excellence, and performing multiple tasks in a professional and timely manner. As an original FORR board member, Shannon has been an integral part of all FORR key events such as the Annual Halloween Party, Kids Fun Run, Fireworks Fundraising, and coordinator of our high school volunteer base. It is with my complete confidence that if given the opportunity to be a School Committee member, Shannon's long and dedicated track record of volunteerism and experience with the town would transition well and she would be a valuable member to Committee. I am available anytime for future questions or comments. Sincerely, Peter G Coumounduros 24 Smith Avenue Reading MA 01867 (3, OFR Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street 'lNCORQO``T Reading, MA 01867 -2685 FAX: (781) 942 -9071 Email: townmanager @ci.reading.ma.us TOWN MANAGER Website: www. readingma.gov (781) 942 -9043 August 27, 2013 Shannon Fratto 104 Hartshorn Street Reading, MA 01867 Dear Ms. Fratto: Thank you for applying for a position on School Committee for the Town of Reading. The Board of Selectmen and School Committee will be jointly interviewing candidates on September 9, 2013, in the Superintendent's Conference Room, 82 Oakland Road, Reading, MA. We have scheduled your interview to take place at 7:45 p.m. Attached is a copy of the description of the Board(s), Committee(s) or Commission(s) to which you have applied. Please make sure that we have in advance a resume or description of your qualifications if you would like to submit this material. Also, please note that the Charter requires that you be a resident of Reading and the Board of Selectmen requires that you be a registered voter to be considered for appointment (there are exceptions if the applicant is not old enough to be a registered voter). The following is a list of questions that are commonly asked of new applicants. 1. Can you meet the time commitment that will be required for this position? 2. Are there any conflicts in your personal or professional life with serving in the position that you seek? 3. Briefly summarize your qualifications. Why are you interested in this particular position? 4. Are there any specific issues that you would like to deal with as a member of this Committee? 5. Are you available to attend the Massachusetts Association of School Committee New School Committee Training Sessions and other required trainings as part of your new role? 6. Are you accessible to residents who have business before the School Committee — i.e. do you have a listed telephone number? Please contact Paula Schena at 942 -9043 and let her know whether or not you will be able to be present for this interview. Since NA Robert W. LeLacheur, Jr. Town Manager RWUps cc: Superintendent of Schools School Committee Board of Selectmen 0 RECEIVED TOWN CLERK BEADING, HASS. APPLICATION FOR APPOINTMENT TO BOARDS /COMMITTEES /COMMISSIQNS. AUG -5 P Name: Date: (Last) (First) (Middle) Address: /Ob OAK, S% Tel. (Home)_ Tel. (Work) (Is this number listed ?) Occupation: bigALwz (>i1qh # of years in Reading: Are you a registered voter in Reading? e-mail addre Place a number next to your preferred position(s) (up to four choices) with #1 being your first priority. (Attach a resume if available) _Animal Control Appeals Committee _Aquatics Advisory Board _Audit Committee Board of Appeals Board of Cemetery Trustees _Board of Health _Board of Registrars _Bylaw Committee _Celebration Committee _Cities for Climate Protection Commissioner of Trust Funds _Community Planning & Development Comm. _Conservation Commission Constable _Contributory Retirement Board _Council on Aging _Cultural Council Custodian of Soldiers' & Sailors' Graves _Economic Development Committee Finance Committee _ _Historical Commission _Housing Authority _Human Relations Advisory Committee _Land Bank Committee _MBTA Advisory Committee _Metropolitan Area Planning Council Mystic Valley Elder Services RCTV Board of Directors _Recreation Committee RMLD Citizens Advisory Board _Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Committee Town Forest Committee Trails Committee _West Street Historic District Commission _L/Other SL'f� rtiTSl LO�n•v -, &k,e_Q outline relevant experience for the position(s) l _ A -e \ GLd C2 3 -ec✓� 120jr le-yi olk?Arf- 154 CLLnI2 /"Uyl 6�U6,:�LA V l 9 2013 SEP —3 AN 9= 54 Demetra Tseckares Restuccia 106 Oak Street Reading MA 01867 Members of the Board of Selectmen Members of the School Committee September 4, 2013 Dear Members of the Boards of Selectmen and School Committee, I am looking forward to meeting all of you on Monday night to discuss the possibility of my joining the School Board. In the meantime, I thought a letter of introduction was appropriate since many of you do not know me. I grew up in Winchester, graduated from the Winchester public schools, then from Amherst College, earned my MFA from UC Irvine, acted professionally for 15 years, met my husband on a show, settled down in Croton on Hudson, NY, had kids, left acting, joined the board of the Croton Harmon Education Foundation, began a landscape design business, was elected as Trustee of our village (akin to Selectman), moved to Reading four years ago and rejoiced in being back near my family and in Red Sox Nation. I continue to design and build gardens and now I am acting at the Quannapowitt players on rare but wonderful occasions. Life goes in circles it seems! My daughter is a 7th grader at Parker and my son is now at the Waldorf School until the 6th grade when he will rejoin his Reading friends at Parker. They both started at Joshua Eaton as 4th and 1St graders. I was as involved as possible at Joshua Eaton and developed strong relationships with several of the teachers there. I am now getting to know the Parker community and am happy with the leadership at that school. While I have not lived here very long my volunteer experience in Reading has been intense. I joined the Reading Technology and Education Foundation (RTEF) about one week after unpacking. I am thrilled that since that time our board has achieved three very important goals: we expanded our mission (hence our name change to the Reading Education Foundation or REF); we expanded our board from four to fourteen and we expanded our annual fundraising from $20,000 to $60,000. I am especially proud that in as many years the REF board has added three new annual fundraisers to our lineup: our annual Community Wide Appeal, our Imagination Celebration and our Teacher Tributes. We have more work to do: last year we received $70,000 + in grant requests but were not able to fund them all. To fund all deserving grants is a shared goal of our excellent and motivated board. If I am chosen to fill the spot on the School Committee I will take a leave of absence from REF. However I have assured my friends and fellow board members that I will O honor the commitments I have made for this coming year: I will be nagging you for trees for our Festival of Trees and items for the Auction just as I have done for three years! I have been a Girl Scout leader for 9 years and am also a proud member of the Reading Garden Club, which is an astonishing group of women. Basically I am a person who works hard at challenges. I am a goal setter, a planner and most of the time play pretty well with others. While my learning curve for the School Committee is steep I will enthusiastically take on this challenge. As I see it three challenges in particular are facing the Board: space, curriculum updates and trust. Clearly finding space to accommodate full day kindergarten and alleviate overcrowding at some of our schools is a priority. Balancing what we need and want in the here and now with what we want our district to look like in the future is key. Curriculum updates are presenting an opportunity for the board to bolster its leadership role of communicating with the schools' stakeholders. This is crucial at this time and needs to be a strong focus of the board. If we are to continue to be an early adapter district we need to better justify that choice. Following from this comes trust. Current concerns about leadership in some schools are growing, as are worries about "guinea pig" classes around curriculum changes. Trust is a by- product of hard work, communication, results and self - evaluation. But it is best built when it is presented as a goal. I will bring my past experience on various boards, as an elected official and as a parent to my work on the School Committee. I have consistently demonstrated a willingness to ask tough questions, to look at all sides of an issue before making a decision and to listen to stakeholders. I have also consistently demonstrated an ability to make a less popular choice when it is best for the mission of the group: this is an essential quality for anyone who wishes to help guide a school district into the future. I would be honored to be on the school committee and work on the above challenges, and the many more that I will undoubtedly encounter, with you. Sincerely, Demetra Tseckares Restuccia -zt °FR� Town of Reading a k 16 Lowell Street to ° Reading, MA 01867 -2685 o � ,6J9:(KCOKQ�aj FAX: (781) 942 -9071 Email: townmanager @ci.reading.ma.us WPhsite- www. readinama.ciov August 27, 2013 Demetra Tseckares 106 Oak Street Reading, MAO 1867 Dear Ms. Tseckares: TOWN MANAGER (781) 942 -9043 Thank you for applying for a position on School Committee for the Town of Reading. The Board of Selectmen and School Committee will be jointly interviewing candidates on September 9, 2013, in the Superintendent's Conference Room, 82 Oakland Road, Reading, MA. We have scheduled your interview to take place at 7:45 p.m. Attached is a copy of the description of the Board(s), Committee(s) or Commission(s) to which you have applied. Please make sure that we have in advance a resume or description of your qualifications if you would like to submit this material. Also, please note that the Charter requires that you be a resident of Reading and the Board of Selectmen requires that you be a registered voter to be considered for appointment (there are exceptions if the applicant is not old enough 'to be a registered voter). The following is a list of questions that are commonly asked of new applicants. 1. Can you meet the time commitment that will be required for this position? 2. Are there any conflicts in your personal or professional life with serving in the position that you seek? 3. Briefly summarize your qualifications. Why are you interested in this particular position? 4. Are there any specific issues that you would like to deal with as a member of this Committee? 5. Are you available to attend the Massachusetts Association of School Committee New School Committee Training Sessions and other required trainings as part of your new role? 6. Are you accessible to residents who have business before the School Committee — i.e. do you have a listed telephone number? Please contact Paula Schena at 942 -9043 and let her know whether or not you will be able to be present for this interview. Sincerely, vv Robert W. LeL cheur, Jr. Town Manager RWUps cc: Superintendent of Schools School Committee Board of Selectmen 22