Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-02 School Committee Minutes�N ATown of Reading RECEIVED Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK °READING, MA.(�/p�/'_ ,A[OPPv r Board - Committee - commission - council: 2025 NOV -3 PM 4: 09 School Committee Date: 2025-10-02 Time: 7:00 PM Building: School - Memorial High Location: School Library Address: 62 Oakland Road Session: Open Session Purpose: Open Session Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Shawn Brandt, Carla Nazzaro, Tom Wise, Erin Gaffen and Lara Durgavich Members - Not Present: Sarah McLaughlin Others Present: Assistant Superintendent for Learning & Teaching Dr. Sarah Hardy and Superintendent Dr. Thomas Milaschewski Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Olivia Lejeune on behalf of the chairperson. Topics of Discussion: A. Call to Order— Mr. Brandt called the meeting to order at 7:02pm with a review of the agenda. S. Public Comment —Carl McFadden of 32 Wakefield Street thanked the team for the field house improvements and highlighted the amazing teamwork of the Unified Sports program. The Burbank Ice Arena representative then provided an update on the ReCAL and Burbank lease agreement. Focus on Excellence— National Merit Scholars Dr. Milaschewski congratulated the following RMHS students who were recently named National Merit Commended students Hans Dankers, Bereket Gebeyaw, Cole Grant, Clara Healy, Samuel Hillery, Isla Lusk, Charlotte May, William Merkle, Jessica Richter, Jason Walsh, and Angela Wilder and Indigo Boyko who was named as a National Merit Semifinalist. Consent Agenda 1. Minutes (09-11-2025) 2. Friends of Reading Soccer Donation 3. Reading Memorial High School PTO Donation (2) 4. Friends of RM HS Cheer Donation S. Acceptance of FY26 Title IIA Grant 6. Acceptance of FY26 Title III Grant 7. Acceptance of FY26 IDEA 240 Grant 8. Acceptance of FY26 IDEA 262 Grant Page I 1 9. Acceptance of FY26 Title I Grant 10. Acceptance of FY26 Title IV Grant 11. Acceptance of FY26 METCO Grant 12. Acceptance of FY26 Affiliate School Health Grant 13. RMHS Fitness Center and Training Room Donation Accounts Payable Warrant Reports 1. 09-11-2025 2. 09-18-2025 3. 09-25-2025 Mrs. Nauaro motioned to approve the consent agenda with an amendment removing item 13 from the consent agenda, seconded by Mrs. Gaffen. Dr. Milaschewski shared that we are excited about the potential of receiving a large donation from an alumnus to revamp the fitness and athletic centers. More information will be available in the coming weeks, and this item will be added to a future agenda if the donation is confirmed in time. Mr. Brandt motioned to approve the consent agenda with an amendment removing item 13 from the consent agenda, seconded by Mr. Wise. The vote passed 5-0 Reports 1. Superintendent —Dr. Milaschewski thanked the RMHS football team for organizing a fundraiser to support a younger student who was affected by a house fire. 2. Liaison/Sub-Committee a. Mrs. Durgavich — No report b. Mrs. Gaffen — No Report c. Mrs. Nazzaro —The Killam School Building Project received the officially signed funding agreement. An abutters meeting was held last week, and the team conducted a site walk. Another round of design meetings is currently underway. d. Mr. Brandt — No report e. Mr.Wise — A reminder that the financial forum will be held next Wednesday. E. New Business 1. Introduction of Student Advisory Committee RMHS Principal Callanan introduced members of the student advisory committee Jason Walsh, Sachi Salvakumar, Alex Vincent, Sebatian Orsini, and Thea Cunha. The students introduced themselves and shared the following updates: o Homecoming Week (Oct 15-19) o Walk It Like You Rock It 5K o Sunday Night Lights o School counseling events (guidance nights, PSATs) rage 1 2 o New trash/recycling bins, water stations, and charging tables o Bathroom updates and inclusive signage o Advocacy for AP and dual enrollment expansion . o Participation in listening sessions and upcoming Leadership Cafe Topics for 2025-26: o Wi-Fi infrastructure o Cell phone policy o Al usage in student handbook o Cross -school club collaboration 2. High School Counseling Annual Update Director of School Counseling, Mrs. Lynna Williams, presented the annual school counseling update and provided information about the college admissions process. She shared details on post -secondary plans for RMHS students over the last five years, 2025 college acceptances, AP performance, SAT trends, the dual enrollment program, and counseling resources for students and families, including support for social -emotional balance. The committee discussed the need to address declining SAT scores, noting potential factors such as the doubling of students taking the PSAT in 10th grade and moving directly to the SAT in 11th grade. They also discussed the transition of the SAT to an electronic, adaptive test and agreed that further data analysis is needed. The committee is committed to ensuring these scores trend in the right direction. Discussion also included students' admission to reach schools and questions about whether more of the class of 2025 submitted SAT scores. Other possible influences on college admissions outcomes were considered, including changes in recommendation letters, application completion, and the overall strength of RMHS programs. The committee noted the strategy of timing SAT testing, particularly after Algebra 2, as an area to continue monitoring. Mrs. Nauaro motioned to move Item E4 out of order, seconded by Mrs. Gaffen. The vote passed 5-0. 3. Review and Approve Competency Determination Polity (A) Ms. Callanan noted that new DESE guidance requires districts to update Competency Determination (CD) policies. The recommended updates address the new requirements as follows: Graduation requirements must now be submitted; the district will use the already established and approved RPS requirements. One year of U.S. history is now required as part of the CD. DESE requires each CD content area (ELA, science, math, and U.S. history) to outline how students demonstrate both completion and mastery. To provide flexibility for teachers and opportunities for students, "mastery" is defined as passing the course, Page 1 3 the final assessment, or a capstone/portfolio project for the course with a 60%or higher. "Completion" is defined as finishing the course with a passing grade of 60% or higher. Dr. Hardy and Ms. Callanan used previously approved language to outline which courses meet CD requirements, with the addition of U.S. history. The committee discussed whether the updates need to go to the Policy Subcommittee before School Committee approval. Given the December 31st DESE submission deadline, the committee agreed that the Policy Subcommittee should review the updates, and therefore no approval is required tonight. Mr. Wise motioned to table the approval, seconded by Mrs. Nazzaro The vote passed 5-0. 4. 2025 MCAS Results Presentation Dr. Milaschewski and Dr. Hardy presented the 2025 MCAS results, highlighting overall results, providing context, and noting areas of strength as well as areas for continued improvement. One key piece of context discussed was the change to the high school MCAS, as passing the Grade 10 MCAS is no longer a requirement for earning a high school diploma. Highlights include: Continued progress toward the 90th percentile in statewide achievement in Math and ELA. • Sustained high-level growth across all three school levels in both Math and ELA. Increased ELA growth and achievement compared to peers statewide, attributed to the adoption of ARC Core at the elementary level. Areas for improvement include: • Maintaining consistent performance in the 90th percentile statewide, as some schools' performance declined in 2025. • While 66% of students district -wide are meeting or exceeding expectations in ELA and 65% in Math, approximately one-third of students are not yet proficient. • Achievement gaps persist across various student subgroups. The committee discussed examining growth percentiles in other districts using ARC for Black and African American students, as well as analyzing additional needs for MLL and IEP students. The goal is to close these gaps, including identifying systemic solutions for Parker. The committee also noted changes in high school science classes, which are no longer using the modern classroom approach, and discussed setting goals in collaboration with department heads. A full copy of the presentation can be found here. Page 1 4 5. Discuss and Approve Proclamation of Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAL) Awareness Month (A) November is SEPAL Awareness Month. The draft proclamation in the packet is intended for the School Committee to issue to the Select Board, who would then reissue it independently. The committee discussed the proclamation and ways to promote SEPAC Awareness Month within the community. Mrs. Nazzaro motioned to approve the proclamation of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Awareness month, seconded by Mrs. Durgavich. The vote passed 5-0. D. Old Business 1. Finalize and Approve Superintendent Goals (A) Dr. Milaschewski noted that in August, superintendent goals were presented to the committee along with context and background information. These goals have since been discussed individually with committee members, and, with no formal feedback received, the goals remain the same unless the committee wishes to propose modifications tonight. Mrs. Nazzaro motioned to approve the superintendent goals as outlined, seconded by Mr. Wise. The committee discussed the importance of clearly connecting the goals to measurable outcomes. While the targets are known, they are often embedded within extensive data and reports. For example, Goal 1 sets a target of 650 AP exams taken, but current progress toward this target is unclear. The discussion focused on linking goals more directly to achievements and identifying the best way to present this information. The vote passed 5-0 2. Discuss and Approve Focus Indicators for Superintendent Goals (A) Mr. Brandt noted that DESE guidance recommends selecting six to eight indicators. The committee has occasionally chosen to use all focus indicators. A proposal was made to follow all the goals and directly link them to the indicators. Mrs. Nazzaro motioned to approve the following focus indicators for the superintendent goals; 1 A, B, C, E, and F, 2 B, C, and D, 3 A and D, 4 A and D, seconded by Mr. Wise. The vote passed 5-0 3. Forest Montessori School — Follow up Discussion Mr. Brandt shared his most recent communication with Forest Montessori School, including the email responses provided in the packet. The school's goal is ultimately to receive Page 1 5 approval from the School Committee; however, they are currently operating at Camp Rice Moody. The committee discussed possible next steps and ultimately decided that no further action is needed unless the school formally requests reconsideration. Motion to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Nazzaro. The vote passed 5-0. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17dd2PT'ikOE Meeting Adjourned from regular session at approximately 9:38 pm. Page 1 6