Tom Wise for Reading, MA School Committee
I have been a resident and homeowner in Reading since 2006. This is the same time Tom and his wife Heidi moved to Reading. Although we did not have the opportunity to meet until Tom ran for the School Committee in 2019, we have come to discover that we moved to Reading for many of the same reasons: public safety, commuting options to Boston, and the Reading Public Schools.
Tom is an excellent listener, collaborator, and analytical person. He is curious and results-driven, able to uncover the root of an issue by asking the right questions and identifying meaningful connections between things. He is a problem solver with a balanced approach between short-term and long-term goals. He cares about the students and their families and is financially astute.
Tom has demonstrated these attributes through his achievements since being elected in 2019 and reelected in 2022. Notably, both he and Chuck Robinson ran for re-election unopposed, which speaks to the community's confidence in his leadership over the two challenging years of COVID.
One example of Tom’s results-driven leadership is Tuition-Free Full-Day Kindergarten. For many years, the residents of Reading had sought this and were told by School Committee members and administrators alike that it would not be possible due to budgetary constraints. However, Tom wanted to challenge that, and in partnership with key stakeholders, he developed a model that offered multiple paths to the goal. His work included a multi-year budget impact analysis, student enrollment forecast, and allowances and forecasts for High-Need Students. In January 2022, the School Committee voted to adopt his Three-Year High Needs model, which allowed for tuition-free status in the fourth year. During the budget discussion for the 2025-2026 School Year this January, the School Committee voted on a budget that will include tuition-free, full-day kindergarten. What several had claimed was impossible became possible through Tom’s research, analysis, collaboration, creativity, and resilience, providing what was needed for the young families of Reading.
Another example to highlight is Tom's focus on students' needs and fiscally responsible investments surrounding special education. Tom wisely recognized it is much more cost-effective to educate our students in Reading Public Schools than to send them out of the district to specialist schools. As part of his 2019 campaign, he advocated for an "Invest to Save" model, demonstrating that by investing in the town's internal programs, Reading could save money for its taxpayers while also helping children and their families. His focus was on the LEAD program (formerly known as BRIDGE), our in-district program for children with language-based disabilities, specifically those with dyslexia. He worked to enhance our ability to support these students within the district. Recently, as part of a Needs Assessment of the Program by the MGH Institute of Health Professions, one of the foremost experts in Dyslexia and other language-based disabilities, it has been confirmed that Reading is now in the 95th percentile of programs in the area for this area of Special Education.
Tom has the experience and strong leadership to drive results and to advocate for fiscally responsible decisions. We are at a crucial time, with numerous large capital projects, such as the long-overdue and necessary Killam School Project, forthcoming and scheduled over the next few years. School and Town leadership will need a critical eye, focusing on assessing needs, not just wants, and conducting a thorough review of overall cost options to leverage alternative income streams. This is crucial to prevent another Operational Override, which would increase the tax burden on Reading residents. Tom has proven his ability to navigate complex financial challenges over the last six years. I trust that he will continue to do so, being an unwavering champion for academic excellence and a welcoming, supportive, and productive learning environment for all students.
Please join me in voting for Tom Wise for the Reading School Committee by April 8. Let’s stay on the right track!
Kerri Perry
West Street
This letter is in support of Tom Wise for re-election to the School Committee. We have known Tom and his family since the early2000ss when our children started at Joshua Eaton, then through Parker and RMHS. We have witnessed his dedication as a father, soccer coach, community member, and school committee leader.
Tom’s leadership skills are impressive. He led the creation of a policy subcommittee that systematically reviews and updates all policies. He also created seven new important policies, such as the much-needed social media policy for the school committee, which balanced the ability of committee members to respond to commentary on Facebook while adhering to the Open Meeting Law. Tom helped orchestrate tuition-free, full-day kindergarten, developed a model to distribute hazard pay to our frontline workers during COVID-19, and his advocacy has helped transform our special education “LEAD program.”
Reading is highly fortunate to have Tom Wise in our community. His vision, dedication, and goals are inspiring. Most remarkable is his ability to bring about these incredible changes for us in a respectful, collaborative, and inclusive manner.
For the sake of our children, please re-elect Tom to School Committee.
Susan Tucker & James Haas
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.