His support for female athletes and his considerable contributions to the school’s athletic program were also highlighted. The board members engaged in a conversation about the naming process, with the policy under review to potentially broaden the criteria for such honors in anticipation of upcoming construction of new school facilities.

Another major topic of the meeting was a report from the school resource officers who shared their efforts on school safety, substance abuse prevention, and community engagement. The officers emphasized their work on district crisis team, emergency protocols, and collaboration with the Reading Coalition for prevention and support. They discussed their FBI Boston training on bomb threats and swatting calls, youth mental health, opioid prevention education, and the upcoming Reading Police Youth Academy for middle school students.

The Reading Education Foundation (REF) update was also of note, with the acceptance and allocation of a $34,000 grant. Laura O’Neal, President of REF, underlined the organization’s fundraising achievements and the impact of their grants on the community, which included a composting grant and immediate grants for teachers. The need for more volunteers to continue this work was stressed.

Financial matters were addressed, including an over-budget technology budget due to a planned refresh, with leasing as a potential alternative to purchasing. A positive balance in the special education budget allowed for a discussion on augmenting the special education reserve fund, prepaying for out-of-district placements, and the potential rollover of Metco grant funds. The meeting also touched on the restoration of funds for extended day programs and school property use, contributing $100,000 to the town.

The Libby scholarship fund, with a balance of 1.2 million to be spent by 2038, sparked a debate on investment strategies to ensure optimal returns. Questions were raised regarding the management of high school and school activity accounts, with a need for follow-up on whether responsible individuals received proper training.

The board approved a budget transfer of $82,000 from the regular day cost center to districtwide Athletics and reviewed the 2024-2025 calendar update for Reading Memorial High School, which proposed changes to school day start and end times. The school choice program was discussed, with debates on the benefits and potential impacts on class sizes, particularly in kindergarten.

The proposal to use the Reading Rocket logo on a bobblehead doll, which would return a portion of the proceeds to the schools, was debated. Concerns were raised about monetizing the logo and the need for a policy on its use.