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Board - Committee
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Commission - Council:
School Council -Reading Memorial High
Date: 2025-11-19 Time: 4:15 PM
Building: School - Memorial High Location: School Library
Address: 62 Oakland Road Session: Open Session
Purpose: School Council Meeting Version: Draft
Attendees: Members - Present:
Principal Callanan, Assistant Principal Kadi Buckley, Maura Keefe, Sara
Ortins, Trey Skehan, Lisa Bibeau-Carcione, Christine Lusk, Rebecca
Taubman (via Zoom), Pooja Mandon Parsons (via Zoom),
Members - Not Present:
Jessica Ayer, Leah Malone, Jamie Flynn, Grace Cuniff
Others Present:
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Sara Ortins
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting was called to order by Principal Callanan at 4:15 PM.
1. Review and Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
a. The minutes from the previous meeting (10/22/25) were reviewed. A motion
to approve was made and seconded. The minutes were approved as
presented.
2. Discussion of Tier, 1, 2, 3 Interventions
a. Student referrals for these interventions are Initiated through the Student
Support Team (SST) or CASEL.
b. During the first quarter, there were 11 total referrals.
c. The Academic Lab logged 76 students during the first quarter; this number is
likely understated, as not all students consistently log their attendance.
d. Assistant Principal Kadi Buckley shared that the district is exploring the
possibility of hiring a dedicated teacher to support the Boost program.
e. A parent Inquired about the purpose of Boost, specifically whether the
Increase reflects a growing number of students needing support or an effort
by the school to strengthen support systems overall.
f. School Counselor Maura Keefe responded that the current focus has primarily
been on students who need additional academic support, as opposed to
students In higher -level courses (such as AP classes) who may also benefit
from support.
g. It was noted that Academic tab is a credit -bearing course; students receive
one Pass credit.
h. More than 50% of students attending Academic Lab are seeking support in
mathematics.
L A parent asked whether peer tutoring options are available.
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j. Principal Callanan indicated openness to peer tutoring and shared that the
National Honor Society (NHS) is sometimes contacted to, provide tutoring
hours.
3. Assistant Principal Kadi Buckley and Principal Jessica Callanan led a discussion on
Innovation Career Pathways (ICP) and Work -Based Learning (WBL), with a focus on
aligning offerings with student Interests and regional workforce needs.
a. School leadership emphasized using student Interest data to guide pathway
offerings, rather than relying solely on administrative assumptions.
b. Discussion addressed which ICPs are most relevant based on student Interest
and Industry demand.
c. A vision for Career -Connected Learning in Reading was presented to support
future planning and partner engagement.
d. Assistant Principal Kadi Buckley described the CAPS (Centers for Advanced
Professional Studies) model, in which students attend specialized courses at a
CAPS site while remaining enrolled in their home school and earn a certificate.
e. Council members discussed adapting a similar model in Reading while keeping
students In -district.
f. It was noted that the RISE program is expected to move to the Killam
building in approximately two years, creating additional space. Potential focus
areas include advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and social assistance.
g. Assistant Principal Kadl Buckley shared that she is developing an additional
ICP in Business and Finance.
h. Partnering with neighboring districts was discussed as a way to expand course
offerings, including DE opportunities, and strengthen industry partnerships.
I. Pathway enrollment data comparing the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school
years was reviewed.
j. A parent asked whether students in the Robotics Club could earn academic
credit.
k. Principal Jessica Callanan expressed Interest In expanding robotics -related
coursework and emphasized the need for Flexible, multi -use learning spaces.
I. School leadership reported ongoing conversations with local healthcare
providers about entry-level career pathways.
m. A parent noted that hospitals often provide skills training and cited Beverly
Hospital, suggesting that a CNA pathway could offer valuable, job -ready
credentials.
Meeting adjourned at 5:26.
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