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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-29 School Committee Minutes� rq �_ Town of Reading "I � � Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: School Committee Date: 2026-01-29 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, Carla Nazzaro and Erin Gaffen 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 7:02pm B. Public Comment —None Consent Agenda 1. Minutes(01-22-2026) 2. RMHS Ski Club Field Trip Request 3. RMHS Drama Field Trip Request Accounts Payable Warrant Reports 1. 01-22-2026 Mrs. Nauaro motioned to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Mr. Wise. The vote passed 6-0. Reports 1. Student Representative —The student representative reported the following: a. Report cards for Semester l published soon b. Early Release Feb 2 (10:05 AM dismissal) c. Drama Winter Show Feb 6-8 and Feb 12 d. Choir Guys' Night Out —Feb 12 Gage 1 1 e. February Break —Feb 16-20 f. Career Day (Jan 29): 40+professionals, four rotations per junior g. New Courses: Intro to Business, Financial Literacy, dual enrollment options h. International Travel: Japan trip and Swiss Exchange returning next year 2. Liaison/Sub-Committee a. Mrs. Durgavich—No report b. Mr. Wise —No report c. Ms. McLaughlin —No report d. Mrs. Gaffen — No report e. Mr. Brandt —No report f. Mrs. Nazzaro—the 90%design submission is scheduled for February 10. Furniture "sit testing' will take place February 11-12 at Killam. The committee continues to engage in ongoing discussions regarding fencing, plantings, and the future temporary school entrance. The project remains on schedule and under budget. Point of Personal Privilege: Mrs. Nazzaro announced that she will not be seeking re-election and reflected on her time as a School Committee member. She expressed pride in district accomplishments, including the implementation of universal full -day kindergarten, expansion of math pathways, adoption of high -quality curriculum, strengthening of the METCO program, hiring of key staff (including counselors and assistant principals), and special education improvements aligned with the equity statement, "All means All." Mrs. Nazzaro also highlighted the Killam School Building Project, noting her commitment to continue leading the project should the Committee choose to move forward in that direction. Committee members expressed appreciation for Mrs. Nazzaro's six years of service, as well as her leadership and partnership. E. New Business 1. Presentation on the Status and Future of the Pleasant Street Center Assistant Town Manager Ms. Jayne Wellman and Director of Operations Ms. Katie Gabriello presented on the status and future of the Pleasant Street Center. They shared key information about the building, including its original construction in 1883, square footage, appraisal, and rental potential. Several potential paths forward were discussed, including selling, leasing, gifting the property to the Housing Authority, or retaining it for town use. Please click here for a copy of the presentation. Committee members provided feedback and expressed strong consensus that the property should not be sold and should be retained as a future town asset. The Committee discussed ideas such as a community cafe connected to post -graduate programming and opportunities for collaboration between the schools and the Town. Members encouraged exploring creative partnerships for use of the building. Pa9¢ 12 2. Approve the awarding of the David B. Libby Scholarships (A) Mr. Brandt noted there was a typo in the memo provided the previous week, which has since been corrected. The scholarship awards 22 recipients for a total amount of $88,000, Mn. Nazzaro motioned to approve the expenditure of $88,000 from the David B. Libby Scholarship to be distributed in accordance with the scholarship's intent to 22 qualifying graduating seniors from Reading Memorial High School, seconded by Mr. Wise. The vote passed 6-0. 3. Review and Approve RISE Director Search Process (A) Dr. Milaschewski reviewed the recommended timeline for the RISE Director search process. Ms. Alanna Shone assumed the Director role two years ago with the original intention of serving for one year. She later agreed to extend her service for an additional year; however, she informed the administration at the conclusion of her second year that she would be retiring. The Committee expressed deep appreciation for Ms. Shone's strong leadership of the R.I.S.E. Program over the past two years. Mrs. Nazzaro motioned to approve the RISE Director Search process as outlined, seconded by Mrs. Durgavich. The vote passed 6-0. D. Old Business 1. Facility Naming Advisory Committee Formation Mr. Brandt opened discussion on the following facility naming requests: naming the press box at John Hollingsworth Field as the Ted "Ace" Bryson Press Box; naming the RMHS Fitness Center as the Robert and O. Elizabeth Miksen Fitness Center; and naming the training room as the Robert Miksen Training Center/Room/Suite, with recognition of Claudia Miksen as the donor. Committee members expressed support for moving forward with both facility naming requests and agreed to establish a single combined advisory committee to review both proposals. Mrs. Nazzaro motioned to form a fitness tenter/training room and press box advisory committee, seconded by Mr. Wise. The vote passed 6-0. Mr. Brandt moved to empower the Chair to determine the charge and sunset date of the advisory committee. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Nazzaro and Mrs. Gaffen. Page 1 3 The vote passed 6-0 2. FY27 Budget— Final Discussion and Vote (A) Mr. Brandt opened the floor for final discussion on the FY27 budget. Committee members reiterated concerns regarding the long-term sustainability of the budget, specifically the continued drawdown of school choice funds. Members noted that this indicates the district may be nearing the end of its ability to support level services without additional funding, signaling a potential future need for a Town override. Mrs. Nauaro motioned to approve the FY27budget seconded by Mr. Wise. The vote passed 6-0. 3. FY27 Fee Rates (A) a. Extended Dy Fees Update, Review & Approval Mrs. Nauaro motioned to approve the Extended Day fee rotes, seconded by Mrs. Durgavich. Dr. Milaschewski reminded the Committee that the recommendation reflects a 3% increase. Mr. Wise suggested updating the packet to include the recommended rates for each fee, as presented at the December 18 meeting. The vote passed 6-0. b. Athletics, Drama and Band Fees Update, Review & Approval Mrs. Nauaro motioned to approve the Athletics, Dram and Band Fee rates, seconded by Mrs. Gaffen. Dr. Milaschewski reminded the Committee that the recommendation reflects a $10 increase. The district also shared its commitment to conducting future analysis of athletic, drama, and band fees, including a review of existing fee caps. The vote passed 6-0. 4. Superintendent Search Process Updates and Approve Job Posting, Salary Range, and Committee Appointments Mr. Brandt shared that since the last meeting, the district held both a staff and community forum. Attendance at both was light, which was interpreted as indicating limited districtwide anxiety about the transition and current trends. Staff expressed strong investment in continued strategic direction, highlighting themes such as collaboration, communication, respect for existing systems, and K-12 instructional coherence. There was an expressed desire for leadership to "steady the track' and maintain forward momentum in the district. The Committee was provided with two draft job postings for review. Feedback reflected consensus in favor of the more streamlined posting, with the inclusion of the full equity Page 1 4 statement. The first draft mirrored MASC job postings, while the second, drafted by HR Director Ms. Michelle Roach, used more typical district language. Similarly, two brochure drafts were reviewed with the first modeled after the brochure used during Dr. Milaschewski's search, and the second drafted by Ms. Roach. The Committee agreed to maintain a professional tone without excessive brochure -style content. Discussion on the superintendent salary range emphasized remaining competitive with peer districts, attracting candidates with varied experience levels, and maintaining flexibility in negotiations. Committee members discussed the possibility of hiring a candidate with experience similar to Dr. Milaschewskfs early tenure, noting that a starting range of $220,000 could be high, with a preference to start at $200,000. The Committee acknowledged a $50,000 range difference may pose challenges, but noted that a lower starting range would remain competitive and was unlikely to deter applicants. Mrs. Nazzaro motioned to modify the superintendent salary range from $100,000 to $250,000, seconded by Mr. Brandt. The vote passed 5-1. Mr. Brandt provided an update on the proposed composition of the Screening Committee as follows: • School Committee members • 3 Central Office/non-unit leaders with at least two being direct reports to the Superintendent • 5 Staff with representation across all grade levels • 5 parents with representation across all grade levels, including SEPAC/METCO representation • Town Manager or designee • RPD representative Mr. Brandt shared the list of volunteers and explained the rationale for his recommended 17-member committee. Mrs. Nazzaro motioned to approve the superintendent search committee as discussed, with the flexibility to add an additional parent or modify the RPD position if necessary, seconded by Mrs. Durgavich. The vote passed 6-0. Mrs. Gaffen motioned to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Nazzaro. The vote passed 6-0. httos://www.youtube.com/watch?v--qTvTT03Dabc Page 1 5 Meeting Adjourned from regular session at approximately 9:17pm. Page 16