Committee votes to seek three override options
The Reading School Committee voted 5-0 to ask the Select Board to add a $5 million override option to the November ballot.
School Committee · Meeting of July 23, 2026
READING — The Reading School Committee voted 5-0 to ask the Select Board to add a $5 million override option to the November ballot. Chair Shawn Brandt said the Finance Committee's recommended $9.8 million tier "would fully fulfill the structural deficit," while member Thomas Wise corrected a staff figure, saying former full-day kindergarten tuition revenue peaked at $1.2 million, not $600,000. Staff outlined cuts of up to 15 educator and 20 paraprofessional positions if the budget gap reaches $3 million to $4 million.
Member Erin Gaffen opposed reinstating kindergarten fees, saying it would be "immediately off the bat a disservice to any family" forced to choose a cheaper option. The letter asks for three ballot questions totaling $5 million, $7 million and $9.8 million ahead of a vote expected around November 2.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 1,975 words
Source: the School Committee meeting of July 23, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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