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As a resident of Reading and a parent of four children who have attended the Reading Public Schools, I am writing to express my strong support for Tom Wise’s candidacy to return to the Reading School Committee.
I have known Tom for many years, and I have always been impressed by his knowledge, kindness, attention to detail, and commitment to doing what is right for our community and our children. When he first ran for the School Committee, he established clear and measurable goals for his tenure. I can confidently say that he has worked tirelessly over the past six years to achieve those goals and to improve the Reading Public Schools for both our children and our teachers.
One issue that surprised me was the lack of free full-day kindergarten for students in Reading. Each time it was mentioned, we were told that it simply wasn’t in the budget. Tom approached this issue from a different angle; he collaborated with leaders in both the district and town to develop a model showing multiple pathways to achieving free full-day kindergarten. He even accounted for fluctuations in enrollment and support for students with high needs. As a result, the School Committee voted to adopt one of his models, and as of the 2025-26 school year, we will finally have free full-day kindergarten in Reading.
Full-day kindergarten is a strategic investment in our children’s future. Tom’s efforts to make this a reality demonstrate that he understands the stakes. I urge you to join me in voting for Tom Wise on or before April 8th.
Eleana Rogan
Lincoln St.
