One item at the meeting was undoubtedly Benjamin Goldless’s presentation. Recognized for his outstanding character and academic performance, Benjamin introduced his documentary, focusing on the transformative experiences offered by the RMHS Drama Club. He shared that his work aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the club’s influence beyond the stage. Reflecting on his personal growth through leadership roles, he described the club as a “sanctuary for a lot of students” and emphasized its role in fostering resilience, collaboration, and confidence. “I wanted to paint a broader picture with this documentary of what RMHS drama truly has to offer that you might not see from the audience,” he explained.

The audience, consisting of board members and community participants, praised Benjamin’s documentary and engaged in discussions about the drama club’s contributions to developing communication skills and empathy, particularly in an increasingly digital world. Attendees expressed interest in accessing the full version of the documentary, which is available at rmhsdrama.org. The session concluded with a group photo, where Benjamin humorously hesitated, adding a light-hearted touch to the gathering.

Significant funding news emerged during the meeting as Dr. Nichesky reported the Reading Public Schools secured $225,000 in state earmarks, thanks to the efforts of local legislators. The funds are earmarked for a van to support the 18 to 22-year-old lift program and capital improvements, although specifics remain undecided. While these funds are part of the FY26 budget, their release is pending due to financial uncertainties. Nevertheless, Dr. Nichesky expressed optimism regarding their availability within the fiscal year.

The board also heard from representatives of the ad hoc commemoration establishment committee, who updated on community engagement efforts. The committee participated in Friends and Family Day and the Junth event, spreading awareness about their mission to honor Bill Russell’s legacy beyond his athletic achievements. They emphasized his activism and social justice efforts, gathering names for a mailing list to foster community involvement. The discussion touched on the committee’s funding and the potential transition from an ad hoc to a standing committee, exploring educational programs within the school system and clarifying their sunset date.

The meeting addressed adjustments to the school calendar for the 2025-2026 academic year, with a motion to amend early release times for a professional development session on artificial intelligence, which passed unanimously. Additionally, the board approved a proposal to raise the price of adult meals in the cafeteria to comply with USDA requirements.

Financial updates included substantial prepayments for special education tuition and IT initiatives, with an expected return of approximately $75,000 to the town. Scholarship fund reviews revealed no surprises, and the board expressed satisfaction with the stable financial outlook.

The student handbooks underwent significant revisions, with updates to formatting, redundancy removal, and translation components. Concerns were raised about the criteria for valedictorian and salutatorian roles and the lack of clarity in GPA tie-breaking procedures. These were addressed with agreed amendments, passing a motion to approve the 2025-2026 RMHS student handbook.

In administrative matters, the board voted to appoint the superintendent to collaborative boards, continuing a longstanding practice. Subcommittee assignments were revisited, filling vacant roles and addressing scheduling conflicts among members. The board also discussed a letter regarding PEG services and RCTV’s educational contributions, emphasizing the importance of these services and potential disruptions if discontinued.