School Board recommends becoming school choice district to meet May deadline

The North Reading School Committee convened on April 28, 2025, to address several key agenda items, primarily focusing on the district's school choice status and budget considerations for the upcoming fiscal year.

The meeting began with a discussion regarding the necessity of reporting to the Department of Education, which is a requirement that occurs annually in May. The committee highlighted the importance of moving forward with a motion to maintain the district's school choice status, particularly in light of challenges faced over the past few years, including increasing class sizes at the elementary level and reductions at the secondary level.

Committee member Mr. Connolly emphasized the need for this motion to meet the reporting deadline. Following this, a motion was made to recommend that North Reading remain a school choice district. The motion was seconded, and after a brief discussion, it was unanimously approved by the committee members present.

The meeting then transitioned to a review of the North Shore Education Consortium's budget for fiscal year 2026. This discussion is expected to provide further insights into the financial planning and resource allocation for the district moving forward.

Overall, the meeting underscored the committee's commitment to addressing educational needs and ensuring compliance with state requirements, while also preparing for future budgetary considerations. Further discussions and decisions regarding the budget will likely continue in subsequent meetings.