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Home My WebLink About2026-01-22 School Committee Minutes� Fq UTown of Reading Meeting Minutes - e Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2026-01-22 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, Tom Wise, Lara Durgavich and Sarah McLaughlin (remote) Members - Not Present: Carla Nazzaro and Erin Gallen Others Present: Assistant Superintendent Dr. Sarah Hardy 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 7:06pm. Public Hearing: FY27 Budget Hearing Mr. Wise motioned to open the public hearing on the FY27 budget, seconded by Mrs. Durgavich. Roll Call Vote — Ms. McLaughlin — yes, Mr. Wise — yes, Mrs. Durgavich — yes, Mr. Brandt — yes The vote passed 4-0. Mr. Brandt noted this is meeting two of three on the budget process and there is another agenda item this evening for budget discussion. The hearing is open to the public. Mr. Littlehale shared a reminder that any questions on the budget should be submitted by tonight, January 22 at 11:59pm, to allow time for preparation of the FAQ document for inclusion in next week's packet. Mr. Wise motioned to close the public hearing on the FY27 budget and return to regular session, seconded by Mrs. Durgavich. Roll Call Vote — Ms. McLaughlin — yes, Mr. Wise — yes, Mrs. Durgavich — yes, Mr. Brandt — yes Page 1 1 The vote passed 4-0. B. Public Comment —None Consent Agenda 1. Minutes (01-08-2026) 2. Acceptance of FY26 Special Education Van Earmark Award 3. Acceptance of FY26 METCO Boston Bridges Initiative Grant Award 4. Parker Music Department Donation 5. Parents Supporting Student Theater Donation Accounts Payable Warrant Reports 1. 01-08-2026 2. 01-21-2026 Mr. Wise motioned to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Mrs. Durgavich. Roll Call Vote— Ms. McLaughlin —yes, Mr. Wise —yes, Mrs. Durgavich—yes, Mr. Brandt — Yes The vote passed 4-0. Reports 1. Assistant Superintendent for Learning & Teaching —No Report 2. Director of Finance and Operations —No Report 3. Liaison/Sub-Committee a. Ms. McLaughlin —No report b. Mr. Wise — No report c. Mrs. Durgavich—No report d. Mr. Brandt —No report E. New Business 1. Facility Naming Request on behalf of Robert and O. Elizabeth Miksen Mr. Brandt noted that there are two facility naming requests on the agenda. Policy FF outlines several steps in the naming process, beginning with hearing the nominations from the nominating parties. The committee may ask clarifying questions, and at a future meeting, the committee will discuss each request and vote on whether to refer the nominations to an advisory committee of the School Committee. If both nominations are accepted, the intent is to form a single advisory committee. The advisory committee will meet several times and then make a recommendation to the School Committee. Ms. Claudia Miksen, an alumna and donor to the RMHS Fitness Center and Training Room, presented a nomination to name the Fitness Center in honor of her parents, Robert and O. Elizabeth Miksen, and to name the Training Room in memory of her father, Robert Miksen Page 1 2 (Coach Robert Miksen). Robert and 0. Elizabeth Miksen were residents of Reading, with Robert giving back to the community as a teacher and coach. A ribbon -cutting ceremony is planned for February 12 however, a dedication ceremony will take place at a later date due to the timeline and process required for the naming request. 2. Facility Naming Request on behalf of Ted Bryson Mr. Pete Moscariello, Ms. Kim Penny, and Mr. Phil Vaccaro presented a nomination to name the Press Box in honor of Ted "Ace" Bryson as the Ted Bryson Announcing Booth. Ted Bryson served RMHS for 50 years as a PE teacher, department head, and coach for baseball, basketball, and golf. Known as "Ace," he is recognized as the voice of the Rockets, having announced RMHS football games for 49 consecutive seasons and basketball for 22 seasons. The nomination has received widespread enthusiasm and support. 3. Learning and Teaching Update Dr. Sarah Hardy, K-8 Humanities Curriculum Coordinator, Ms. Erin Burchill, and K-8 STEM Curriculum Coordinator, Ms. Mary Anne Lynn, presented a midyear Learning & Teaching update. During their presentation, they shared updates on the following projects: • Elementary Literacy Labs • Middle School Literacy Implementation • Middle School Science Implementation • Middle School Social Studies Curriculum Review • RMHS Social Studies Curriculum Review • Elementary Science Curriculum Review • Grades 2-5 Common Math Assessment • Grade 7 & 8 Math Curriculum Review • ML Curriculum Implementation A copy of the presentation can be found here. The committee discussed their appreciation for coherence, teacher empowerment, and evidence -based practice. They expressed caution regarding curriculum -created materials' alignment to standards, shared interest in integrating Al literacy and future -ready competencies, and raised the ongoing challenge of insufficient elementary time -on -learning for science. 4. Approve the awarding of the following scholarships: a. David B. Libby Scholarship Mr. Wise raised a question about the $40,000 noted in the memo, noting that $88,000 had been expended in the past. The committee agreed to verify the amount before voting. Mr. Wise motioned to table the David B. Libby Scholarship pending review of the amount to be dispersed, seconded by Mrs. Durgavich. Page 1 3 Roll Call Vote —Ms. McLaughlin —yes, Mr. Wise —yes, Mrs. Durgavich —yes, Mr. Brandt —yes The vote passed 4-0. b. David Savio Law Enforcement Scholarship Mr. Wise motioned to approve the expenditure of $2,051 from the David Savio Law Enforcement Scholarship to be provided to one senior in the alignment with the scholarship criteria, seconded by Mrs. Durgavich. Roll Call Vote — Ms. McLaughlin — yes, Mr. Wise - yes, Mrs. Durgavich — yes, Mr. Brandt -yes The vote passed 4-0. c. Arthur L. Spencer Memorial Scholarship Mr. Wise motioned to approve the expenditure of $00 from the Arthur L. Spencer Memorial Scholarship to be provided to one senior in alignment with the scholarship criteria, seconded by Mrs. Durgavich. Roll Call Vote — Ms. McLaughlin — yes, Mr. Wise — yes, Mrs. Durgavich — yes, Mr. Brandt —yes The vote passed 4-0. D. Old Business 1. FY27 Budget Discussion Mr. Brandt opened the floor for further discussion on the FY27 budget. A question was raised about whether the administration had looked into identifying other funding sources that would avoid using all of the School Choice funding in the first year. The administration has not identified alternatives to reduce FY27 dependence on School Choice revenue. 2. Discuss Superintendent Search Updates and Approve Revised Timeline (A) Mr. Brandt noted that a revised timeline is included in the packet. Focus groups are scheduled for next week, and the committee is working to fill remaining spots on the screening committee. The next step will be to approve the job posting and salary range. Mr. Wise motioned to approve the proposed Superintendent search timeline as amended for the draft role description, seconded by Mrs. Durgavich. Roll Call Vote — Ms. McLaughlin — yes, Mr. Wise —yes, Mrs. Durgavich — yes, Mr. Brandt — yes The vote passed 4-0. Page 14 Mrs. Ourgavich motioned to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Wise. Roll Call Vote —Ms. McLaughlin —yes, Mr. Wise —yes, Mrs. Durgavich—yes, Mr. Brandt — yes The vote passed 4-0. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL09bnOzqzU Meeting Adjourned from regular session at approximately 8:37pm. Page 1 5