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Home My WebLink About2026-01-08 School Committee Minutes� rq Town of Reading " s Meeting Minutes i_ L i v Lv pCOPPPP' I - Board - committee - commission - Council: _ School Committee Date: 2026-01-08 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, Erin Gallen, Tom Wise, Lars Durgavich and Sarah McLaughlin (remote) Members - Not Present: Others Present: Superintendent Dr. Thomas Milaschewski and Director of Finance and Operations Mr. Phil Littlehale 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 7:00pm with roll call attendance. Roll Call Attendance — Ms. McLaughlin — here, Mrs. Gaffen — here, Mr. Wise— here, Mrs. Nazzaro — here, Mrs. Durgavich — here, Mr. Brandt — here B. Public Comment —None Focus on Excellence— None Consent Agenda 1. Minutes(12-18-2025) 2. Parents Supporting Student Theater Donation 3. RMHS Track and Field Donation 4. RMHS Japan Field Trip Request S. RMHS Ski Club Field Trip Request 6. RMHS DECA Field Trip Request 7. RMHS Habitat for Humanity Field Trip Request 8. SEEM Collaborative 2024-2025 Annual Report Accounts Payable Warrant Reports 1. 12-18-2025 2. 12-24-2025 Page I 1 3. 12-31-2025 Mrs. Nazzaro motioned to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Mr. Wise. Roll Call Vote —Ms. McLaughlin —yes, Mrs. Gaffen—yes, Mr. Wise —yes, Mrs. Nazzaro— yes, Mrs. Durgavich — yes, Mr. Brandt —yes The vote passed 6-0. Reports 1. Student Representatives —Several upcoming events were shared. Junior Guidance Parent Night will be held on January 13, followed by Future Freshman Night on January 20. Midterm exams will take place from January 20 through January 23. The PTO Board Meeting will be held on January 26. Career Day for Juniors and the 8th Grade Arts Night are scheduled for January 29. Additional updates were provided from recent events. Alumni Day was held on January 6, where 15 graduates returned to share their college experiences with current students. Feedback from this event indicated a need for more support with interview skills and resume preparation. As a result, Career Day was expanded to include more than 40 professionals representing a wide range of career fields. 2. Superintendent — Kindergarten registration is now open, and families of eligible students are encouraged to complete the registration process as soon as possible. Additional information and registration details are available on the district website. Dr. Milaschewski also shared information about the annual community MLK event held on January 19. This event continues to be a meaningful community gathering and has grown stronger each year, with increasing participation and engagement. 3. Liaison/Sub-Committee a. Ms. McLaughlin —No report b. Mrs. Gaffen — No report c. Mr. Wise —SEPAC held its budget meeting with Mr. Littlehale on Monday. The books Mr. Wise donated and ordered have arrived and are now being dropped off at their designated locations. The Select Board approved and signed a three-year contract with RCN. d. Mrs. Nazzaro —The next Killam School Building Committee meeting is scheduled for January 20. e. Mrs. Durgavich — No report f. Mr. Brandt — No report g. Dr. Coram — As Finance Committee liaison, Dr. Coram shared an upcoming Financial Policy Workshop available on January 2911 during the day 9-1pm at the Reading Public Library. E. New Business 1. FY27 Budget FAQ Process Page 1 2 Dr. Milaschewski reviewed the FY27 Budget FAQ process. Committee members are asked to submit their questions by January 15 to allow the administration one week to prepare responses. All other questions should be submitted to Olivia Lejeune (Olivia.leieunet@readine.kl2.ma.us) by January 22 at 11:59pm. 2. FY27 Budget Presentation & Discussion Mr. Littlehale presented the FY27 Superintendent's Recommended Budget to the Committee. The overall budget increase is approximately 2 percent, including operating and accommodated costs. No programs are being cut, and staffing adjustments result in a net reduction of one full-time equivalent position. Special Education spending appears to decrease by 3.3 percent in the general fund, but actual expenditures are projected to increase by approximately 4 percent due to offsets and an increase in circuit breaker reimbursement. Offsets increased from $2.2 million to $2.6 million and include School Choice revenue, tuition revenue, and the full -day kindergarten balance. There are currently 79 School Choice students, with projections of approximately 100 students next year, and this revenue is being used to balance the FY27 budget. The capital plan includes an increase in the technology allocation from $150,000 to $250,000, and a new special education van will be funded through a $75,000 state earmark. Concern was expressed that reliance on two years of School Choice funds creates a potential risk in the future. It was also noted that the food service offset was eliminated due to insufficient revenue. It was clarified that while no additional supports are planned, food service costs will continue to be paid from the operating budget. Committee members observed that investments in in -district special education programs have significantly reduced out -of -district placement costs. The committee was pleased that universal full -day kindergarten remains intact. D. Old Business 1. FY27 Fee Rates (A) —Transportation Fees Update, Review, & Approval At the last meeting, the recommended increases in transportation fees were $500, $900, and $1,200. The Committee requested a breakdown of each fee level showing the number of riders with one, two, or three or more rides. This proposal still holds, and the breakdown requested has been provided in the packet to help the Committee evaluate the impact of each recommended fee. Mrs. Nazzaro motioned to approve the transportation fee rotes for FY27, seconded by Mrs. Gaffen. Roll Call Vote — Ms. McLaughlin — yes, Mrs. Gaffen — yes, Mr. Wise— yes, Mrs. Nazzaro— yes, Mrs. Durgavich — yes, Mr. Brandt — yes The vote passed 6-0. 2. Discussion and Vote on 2026-2027 SY Calendar (A) Dr. Milaschewski reviewed the 2026-2027 school year calendar. Election Day was again discussed with the Town Clerk who believes the schedule can be managed efficiently. During the last meeting, the committee raised the possibility of starting school earlier in August. Any earlier start can be no more than one week before Labor Day, in accordance with the union contract. Mrs. Nazzaro motioned to approve the 2026-2027 school year calendar, seconded by Mrs. Gaffen. Roll Call Vote — Ms. McLaughlin — yes, Mrs. Gaffen — yes, Mr. Wise — yes, Mrs. Nazzaro — yes, Mrs. Durgavich — yes, Mr. Brandt — yes The vote passed 6-0. E. New Business 3. Review and Approve Superintendent Search Timeline and Process (A) The committee reviewed the search timeline and process. The Committee agreed to an aggressive timeline, aiming to complete the search before the April election. MASC will provide technical assistance, including posting, orientation, and question development, while the district will manage the process internally. The Committee also agreed to explore outreach to a retired MASC consultant for additional support. The focus groups will follow a condensed schedule. Student input will be gathered through the Student Advisory Committee, a community forum will be coordinated, and an online survey will be used to collect additional feedback. The committee discussed the make-up of the screening committee and who it should be comprised of. Mr. Brandt motioned to approve the screening committee with the addition of another building principal, as represented in the packet so moved by Mrs. Nazzaro, seconded by Mr. Wise. After discussion, the Screening Committee was amended to the following: two School Committee members; three central office or non -unit leaders, with at least two being direct reports to the superintendent; five staff members, one representing each school level; five parents, ensuring representation across school levels, SEPAC, and METCO; the Town Manager or a designated representative; and the Police Chief or SRO, or their designated representative. Roll Call Vote — Ms. McLaughlin — yes, Mrs. Gaffen — yes, Mr. Wise — yes, Mrs. Nazzaro — yes, Mrs. Durgavich — yes, Mr. Brandt — yes Page 1 4 The vote passed 6-0. Mrs. Nazzaro motioned to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Wise. Roll Call Vote— Ms. McLaughlin — yes, Mrs. Gaffen — yes, Mr. Wise — yes, Mrs. Nazzaro— yes, Mrs. Durgavich — yes, Mr. Brandt — yes The vote passed 6-0. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyJheWV-W80 Meeting Adjourned from regular session at approximately 8:49pm. Va9e 1 5