School Committee hears updates on district goals, potential school renaming, and approves new METCO position during May 29 meeting
Reading, MA — The Reading Education Foundation (REF) reported to the School Committee at its May 29 meeting regarding the $29,334 in grants that the organization will be distributing to Reading educators this year. REF primarily raises the funding used for the grants through the Annual Festival of Trees celebration. Reading educators can submit grant requests for projects or other learning opportunities to the REF grant committee, which then makes the awards.
REF President Laura O’Neill praised Grant Committee chair Debbie Hattery, the teachers who made requests, stating, “[The teachers] don’t stop with the question ‘What do my students need today?’ They ask ‘What could be possible tomorrow?” She continued, “[The teachers’] efforts are a powerful reminder of the passion and talent that exist in our schools.”
Students representing the Reading Memorial High School Students of Color and Allies for Equity, Justice, and Inclusion organization presented a proposal to the committee asking that the name of Joshua Eaton be removed from the elementary school bearing his name. Eaton was the first Reading resident to lose their life fighting during the American Revolution, and, according to the students, the school sits on the land once farmed by the Eaton family.
Students shared that, to them, the name of the school is not clearly defined between Eaton and his father, who was a slave owner. They suggested that renaming the school after Cato Eaton, the name of a slave owned by the family who also fought in the Revolution, would acknowledge a more complete historical narrative for the town, recognizing Reading’s full colonial history. “This is not an erasure of history, but an expansion of it,” The group explained.
The School Committee will determine at its next meeting whether to appoint a renaming committee to examine the issue thoroughly. That committee, if formed, will make a recommendation to the School Committee on whether to remove the Joshua Eaton name from the school. The committee will then vote, based on that recommendation. If the name is ultimately removed, a new naming committee would be formed to choose a new name for the school.
Assistant Superintendent for Student Services Jennifer Stys provided the committee with an update regarding her department, focused on the “pillars” of the district improvement plan. She shared preliminary results from a staff survey that suggest most teachers feel safe in their locations and know where to get help when needed. She also noted that most also believe that help will come when asked. Future goals include creating a video that explains bullying and harassment, along with a strategy to support the school safety plans of each school.
Stys also highlighted the work of the inclusion and literacy implementation teams, which have been working in those areas, along with a team focused on transitions, specifically the student transition from RISE to kindergarten. Another working group continues to support social and emotional learning.
Additional plans for the department include creating videos to help parents understand the special education process and continuing the work of the teacher teams.
Superintendent Thomas Milaschewski provided a brief review of progress toward the district’s strategic goals, noting that much of the report has been reviewed by the committee in recent weeks as they prepare for his summative review.
Milaschewski noted several achievements, including higher student achievement scores, progress in the district’s sense of belonging work, and reductions in chronic absenteeism. He also highlighted the increased college and career pathways, including dual-enrollment classes, at the high school.
In the year ahead, Milaschewski intends to continue expanding the use of data tools, leveraging the METCO team for greater coherence, and engaging in discussions regarding technology, specifically artificial intelligence, and the use of cell phones in schools.
The committee voted 6-0 to approve the extension of Philip Littlehale’s contract as Interim Director of Finance for another year. It also voted 6-0 to create a new METCO Coordinator/School Adjustment Counselor role for Parker Middle School. Up to this point, the two middle schools shared the role. Funding for the new role will come from funds intended for an additional kindergarten teacher, whom Milaschewski believes will not be needed, given the enrollment numbers for next year.
The School Committee adjourned at 9:00 pm.
