Good Afternoon, Reading Public School Staff and Community,

Last week, I wrote a letter to staff and families regarding the recent events that have happened in our country on the death of George Floyd and the subsequent riots that have plagued our country.  In that letter, I fully supported, and continue to fully support the press release that was proactively sent by Chief Clark on May 30^th condemning the actions of the Minneapolis Police Department.  The Reading Public Schools and the Reading Police Department have worked as partners over the last several years to create a safe welcoming environment in our schools with a commitment to equity and social justice.  In this letter, I would like to expand my rationale further in support for the Reading Police Department and the work they have done in our community.

Over the last 11 years as Superintendent, I have had the honor of working with three outstanding Reading Police Chiefs, James Cormier, Mark Segalla, and now David Clark.  It was under Chief Cormier that we began instituting School Resource Officers in our schools with outstanding community police officers who have become leaders on our police force, Lieutenant Rich Abate, Sergeant Corey Santasky, Detective Mike Muolo, and now Officers Brian Lewis and Matt Vatcher.  It was Chief Segalla and then Deputy Chief Clark who advocated for a second School Resource Officer for our schools because they saw the importance of having a strong police relationship with our principals, staff and students.  These police officers over the years have provided an invaluable service and are highly regarded as a pivotal resource within our school district working across all schools and all grades and have formed lasting connections with students of all ages and abilities.  The School Resource Officers are also instrumental in assisting the administration, guidance and staff in ensuring a safe and supportive environment within the school community.  One example of this assistance is their participation on the districtwide crisis team, where they help plan and implement safety drills, as well as, act as liaisons between the schools and the police department on student issues.  In addition to the traditional role of the School Resource Officers, I am so impressed to see our Officers take the time to read to younger students, engage in activities such as pick up basketball games, dance-offs within the schools, assist students in the special Olympics program and so many other community events.  They are very visible and engaged in all aspects of the student community.

During his tenure, Chief Clark has focused his priorities on strengthening police and community relations. One example of the incredible community policing is how the Community Service Officer, with the support of the Police Chief, suggested and subsequently worked closely with the Reading Public Schools Food Nutrition Department to coordinate Officers serving lunch at each of our five elementary schools.  The feedback from the students and staff has been incredibly positive and helped to reinforce the relationship building between the students and officers.  I have also had the opportunity to work with many other outstanding Reading Police Officers on a variety of safety, security, and substance education issues over the years.  In each of my interactions, I have always found our police department professional, courteous, dedicated and with the right moral compass on what is best for our students.

Every profession, including education, has employees that are outstanding and employees that should not be in the profession.  Nationally, we have seen examples of police officers who should not be in the profession.  However, in Reading, the opposite is true.  We should be proud of the work that our police department has done for our community.  They are an exemplar of how to be a police department that focuses on the community aspect of law enforcement.  Like several school department employees, many of our police officers live in Reading and their children attend the Reading Public Schools.  They are fully committed to making Reading a welcoming and vibrant community.

As part of the Black Lives Matter movement, each organization and community needs to take a look introspectively as to what they can do differently to combat racial injustice.  As a Superintendent of Schools in a predominantly white community, I am looking at my own practices and how I lead and model.  Some of our schools have been focusing on equity for the last two years, but we know that we have to be more consistent and have a long way to go.  We need to look at our hiring practices, curriculum selections, and staff training.  It will definitely be a focus for our school district in the upcoming year.  This work includes inviting the Reading Police Department to join us with this goal. As community leaders, we have a lot to learn, and together, grow.

On Saturday, there is a rally for racial justice on the Town Common.  The Reading Public Schools is not a sponsor of the event, however, we do have several staff members speaking and participating at the event.  If you are attending this event, we ask that you practice proper health precautions and peacefully practice your first amendment rights.  This rally is to support equity and racial justice for our students and community members of color and should not be a demonstration against police.

In 1963, Martin Luther King said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”  We are right now in times of challenge and controversy and we need to all be working together for the same common cause of racial justice and equity.

John F. Doherty, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools