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Home My WebLink About2025-12-04 School Committee Minutes0�1; Orp Q Town of Reading r.(-Ui_1VCu o Meeting Minutes rTOiWN C! ERK 11A- Board - Committee - Commission - Council: i^.25 eF(: << AM 7: 4 % School Committee Date: 2025-12-04 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 (remote), Sarah McLaughlin, Carla Nazzaro, Erin Gaffen, Tom Wise, and Lara Durgavich Members - Not Present: Others Present: 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. Roll Call Attendance —Mrs. Nazzaro— here, Mr. Wise— here, Mrs. Durgavich —here, Mrs. Gaffen — here, Ms. McLaughlin — here, Mr. Brandt — here B. Public Comment — None Focus on Excellence— Certificate of Academic Excellence Dr. Milaschewski introduced RMHS students Owen Sinclair and Clara Healy, who were presented with Certificates of Academic Excellence. The committee praised the students as role models for both academic and community excellence. Consent Agenda 1. Minutes(10-30-2025) 2. Reading Lions Club Donation 3. RMHS Band Saxophone Donation 4. Prior Family Charitable Fund Donation 5. Parents Supporting Student Theater Donation (2) 6. Acceptance of the Donald E. Garrant Foundation Grant 7. Friends of Reading Football Donation 8. Friends of Reading Field Hockey Donation 9. Coolidge Surplus Property 10. District -Wide Surplus Property Page I 1 11. RMHS Wrestling Tournament Field Trip Request (2) 12. Acceptance of FY26 MyCAP Planning and Implementation Grant 13. Acceptance of FY26 Work -Based Learning Implementation Grant 14. RMHS Fitness Center and Training Room Donation Accounts Payable Warrant Reports 1. 10-30-2025 2. 11-06-2025 3. 11-13-2025 4. 11-20-2025 5. 11-26-2025 Mrs. Nazzaro motioned to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Mr. Wise. Dr. Milaschewski highlighted an item on the consent agenda: a donation from the Donald E. Garrant Foundation, granted to RMHS student Alex Gisetto, to support financial literacy resources at RMHS. Roll Call Vote - Mrs. Nazzaro - yes, Mr. Wise -yes, Mrs. Durgavich - yes, Mrs. Gaffen- here, Ms. McLaughlin -yes, Mr. Brandt -yes The vote passed 6-0. Reports 1. Student Representatives - RMHS student representatives shared the following upcoming events and highlights: • Band concert (Dec 8) • Alumni Day (Jan 6) • Junior Guidance Night (Jan 13) • Future Freshman Night (Jan 20) • Midterms (Jan 20-23) • Career Day (Jan 29) • Credit for Life Fair (Nov 25): Hands-on financial literacy simulation with 45 community volunteers • Winter choir concert (Dec 18) and caroling events • Dickens Holiday Marketplace (Dec 13) to support RMHS Drama Club • Leadership Cafe: Over 10 student groups applied for $500 grants for community projects 2. Superintendent- Dr. Milaschewski thanked the committee for advocating for, and the community for supporting, SEPAC Awareness Month throughout November. He also shared a new partnership being launched at RMHS in collaboration with Endicott College, Empowered Education, and Reading Cooperative Bank focused on financial literacy. Through the 14-week Financial Freedom course, seniors participating will earn three college credits and receive a $100 incentive. 3. Liaison/Sub-Committee Page 1 2 a. Ms. McLaughlin —The Select Board met to review the RCN contract extension and will meet again Tuesday to vote. b. Mrs. Gaffen — No Report c. Mrs. Durgavich — No Report d. Mr. Wise — Mr. Wise conducted a review of personnel -related policies and forwarded them to the administration for feedback. Further review of these policies is anticipated in early spring brought forward by the Policy Subcommittee. e. Mrs. Nazzaro—The Killam Building Project team met in both November and December to review progress. The 60%design cost estimate came in approximately $9 million lower than the previous estimate, due to effective scope control and increased design completeness. Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) have been issued for code review services, materials testing, and a tax consultant to help maximize potential IRA grant opportunities. Furniture selection and geotechnical testing are currently underway. Additionally, early procurement of electrical switchgear is planned to mitigate potential supply chain delays. E. New Business 1. RMHS Fitness Center and Training Room Project Scope Dr. Milaschewski provided a high-level overview of the RMHS Fitness Center and Training Room renovation project and introduced Nick Sweat from Matrix Fitness, who is assisting with project management. He noted that the project is funded through a generous donation from alum Claudia Miksen-Fanaras. Project features include a turf strip; Matrix Fitness strength and cardio equipment with interactive screens; strength training stations; a functional trainer; and free -weight racks with sound -dampening platforms. The renovation will also include RMHS branding elements such as decals, graphics, and a coordinated color scheme. Flooring and equipment installation is scheduled for December, with project completion anticipated in January. A ribbon -cutting ceremony will be coordinated in early January. 2. 2026-202 RISE Tuition Adjustment Review, Discussion, and Vote (A) Dr. Milaschewski shared the proposed RISE tuition rate adjustments for the 2026-2027 school year. This represents the first fee adjustment being proposed as part of the upcoming budget cycle. The proposal includes a standardized hourly rate increase of $8.35 across all program offerings. The rationale for the adjustment includes rising program costs, the need to remain competitive with comparable preschool programs, and addressing prior inconsistencies in hourly pricing. Mrs. Nauaro motioned to approve the RISE tuition adjustments for 2026-2027, seconded by Mrs. Gaffen. Page 1 3 Roll Call Vote —Mrs. Nazzaro—yes, Mr. Wise —yes, Mrs. Durgavich—yes, Mrs. Gaffen— here, Ms. McLaughlin —yes, Mr. Brandt —yes The vote passed 6-0. 3. SY 2026-2027 Calendar Review and Discussion Dr. Milaschewski shared highlights of the draft 2026-2027 school calendar. He noted that key dates are generally shifted and a later start date is due to the late Labor Day holiday. The draft calendar is being shared with the union in coordination with the School Committee for feedback, with final approval anticipated in January. The Committee provided the following feedback: • Election Day: Concerns were raised given that it will be a primary election, noting that the last primary saw approximately 63%voter turnout. • Acronyms: Suggestions were made to clarify acronyms such as MS and HS by providing an explanation or legend. • Religious Observances: Eid al-Fitr was discussed and other holidays which will be referred to the Policy Subcommittee for review. • Yom Kippur: Correction noted to correct the spelling. • August Start Date: Discussion occurred regarding the possibility of starting earlier in August in order to end the school year earlier in June. Mr. Brandt motioned to take item DI out of order, seconded by Mrs. Nazzaro. Roll Call Vote— Mrs. Nazzaro—yes, Mr. Wise —yes, Mrs. Durgavich —yes, Mrs. Gaffen— here, Ms. McLaughlin — yes, Mr. Brandt —yes The vote passed 6-0. D. Old Business 1. Second Reading, edit (if necessary), and Vote to Adopt (A) Policy IKFE —Competency Determination Mrs. Nazzaro motioned to waive the second reading of IKFE - Competency Determination, seconded by Ms. McLaughlin. Roll Call Vote — Mrs. Nazzaro — yes, Mr. Wise — yes, Mrs. Durgavich — yes, Mrs. Gaffen— here, Ms. McLaughlin — yes, Mr. Brandt — yes The vote passed 6-0. Mr. Wise noted the policy has not changed since the committee reviewed it during the first reading. There was no discussion, but it was acknowledged that there is a lot of noise around this policy and discussions about competency. Page 1 4 Mrs. Nazzaro motioned to adopt Policy IKFE —Competency Determination, seconded by Mrs. Gaffen. Roll Call Vote — Mrs. Nazzaro — yes, Mr. Wise — yes, Mrs. Durgavich — yes, Mrs. Gaffen— here, Ms. McLaughlin — yes, Mr. Brandt — yes The vote passed 6-0. E. New Business 4. Policy Update— Review, edit (if necessary), and Vote to Adopt Amended Policy IKF — Graduation Requirements Mrs. Nazzaro motioned to waive the reading of Policy IKF—Graduation Requirements, seconded by Mrs. Gaffen. Roll Call Vote — Mrs. Nazzaro — yes, Mr. Wise —yes, Mrs. Durgavich — yes, Mrs. Gaffen— here, Ms. McLaughlin — yes, Mr. Brandt — yes The vote passed 6-0. Mr. Wise noted this policy has been updated to reference the new IKFE Policy — Competency Determination. This policy can be reviewed in one meeting and does not need a second reading. Mrs. Nazzaro motioned to adopt amended Policy IKF—Graduation Requirements, seconded by Mr. Wise. Roll Call Vote — Mrs. Nazzaro—yes, Mr. Wise —yes, Mrs. Durgavich — yes, Mrs. Gaffen— here, Ms. McLaughlin — yes, Mr. Brandt —yes The vote passed 6-0. Mrs. Nazzaro motioned to adjourn. Roll Call Vote — Mr. Wise — yes, Mrs. Durgavich — yes, Mrs. Nazzaro—yes, Ms. McLaughlin —yes, Mrs. Gaffen — yes, Mr. Brandt — yes The vote passed 5-0. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wgv-AQAeZMQ Meeting Adjourned from regular session at approximately 8:19 pm. Page 1 5