The meeting put emphasis on the Metco program, which facilitates the enrollment of Boston resident students in Reading schools. Board members praised the Metco coordinators for their dedication to promoting equity and supporting the academic, social, and emotional needs of students. The coordinators’ efforts in creating an inclusive environment that fosters relationships between students of diverse backgrounds were highlighted. The board elaborated on the five key focus areas for the Metco coordinators. These included regular meetings with students, building connections, fostering relationships with parents, and providing social and emotional support.

The board also reported on the growth in cultural interactions, with Boston resident students increasingly participating in Reading activities and vice versa. They discussed professional development initiatives for staff with a focus on equity and cultural responsiveness. The board was pleased with the district’s recognition as a model for Metco at a recent conference and outlined future plans, including a tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. However, concerns were raised over the potential impact of level funding from the state, which underscored the need for advocacy to ensure continued support for the program.

In terms of educational resources and student support, the board members discussed the availability of diverse resources from both the Reading community and Boston. These resources encompassed food pantries, financial assistance programs, academic, and college planning resources. They emphasized the need for various support to cater to various student needs. Additionally, suggestions included creating a referral program for families to request assistance anonymously and implementing a mandatory summer math and reading program to help students maintain academic levels.

The meeting also covered updates on the scheduling pilot at Reading Memorial High School, which aimed to increase learning time, provide more planning time for teachers, and offer equitable course choices for students. The board discussed math pathways, highlighting efforts to cater to different student interests and accelerate learning for those who wish to advance in math.

Kindergarten enrollment was another topic of interest, with the current enrollment figures falling short of projections. The board discussed adjustments due to lower-than-expected class sizes and emphasized a cautious approach to decision-making, considering potential enrollment increases over the summer.

Lastly, the board tackled operational matters, including the last day of school, set for June 14th, and the need for representatives on various committees. A significant part of the discussion revolved around the review of fees for athletics and facility rentals. The members debated the necessity to increase fees due to rising service and material costs and the burden this places on families. The hidden costs and social pressure associated with these fees were also of concern, prompting the need for a broader conversation with relevant stakeholders. The board committed to revisiting the facility rental fee review process earlier in the next budget cycle.