North Reading School Committee reorganizes officers, approves ELA curriculum and athletic donations

NORTH READING — May 11, 2026 — North Reading School Committee reorganizes, approves new ELA curriculum and $13,500 in athletic donations. The committee unanimously re-elected Jeff Friedman as chair and Tim Sutherland as vice chair at its May 11 meeting, also welcoming newly elected member Dr. Julian Evans. Members voted to approve the second reading of the EL Education English Language Arts Curriculum for grades three through five. A student civics project presented by Superintendent Dr. Daly warned that the average North Reading student participating in sports and clubs pays roughly $1,000 in enrollment fees annually; Friedman said the committee is "not doing it this year" on fee increases, framing activity fees as not a revenue source for the district. The committee accepted $11,500 from the North Reading Hornet Hall of Fame and $2,000 from the North Reading Cheerleader Boosters, among other gifts, totaling more than $13,500 for athletics. Preliminary quotes for a modular classroom project at the Hood School came in at $2.2 million to $2.5 million, with a possible $3 million town meeting request anticipated for October.