School Committee OKs $605,000 capital plan

School Committee · Meeting of October 26, 2026

NORTH READING — The North Reading School Committee approved a $605,000 fiscal 2028 capital improvement plan and a Quebec student trip, both by unanimous votes. An accessibility audit by UK-based firm Direct Access found between 19 and 23 findings at each of the district's four schools, roughly half flagged high priority, including inaccessible curb ramps and exit signage missing wheelchair symbols. A district staff member said cost estimates in an earlier draft, including $10,000 to raise or lower countertops, were too low and had been removed from the final report.

Teacher Lacey LaHaye's proposed March Quebec trip, estimated at $1,500 per student for a group of 20, passed 4-0. The committee also approved school improvement plans for Batchelder, Hood and Little elementary schools, with Little's 78 percent "feel safe" climate survey score drawing questions from a member who called it "one in five students do not feel safe." Seven donations totaling more than $19,000 were accepted, including $11,400 from the J. Turner Hood Parent Association for tree removal.

In the full story:

• ADA Accessibility Audit Presentation
• Quebec Overnight Trip Request
• Elementary School Improvement Plans
• Fiscal 2028 Capital Improvement Plan
• Hood School Modular Project and Ballot Question 10
• Substance Abuse Prevention and Survey Guidance
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,547 words

Source: the School Committee meeting of October 26, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.