Save the Date!

Please Donate Today!

Two years ago on a budget of just $1,300, NRUE's advocacy convinced town leaders to recommend a budget that returned more than $700,000 directly to North Reading Public Schools, restoring valuable programs.

We need to continue our advocacy, but we cannot do so without financial support from parents and education supporters in North Reading. Please help us with a minimum suggested donation of $25 made payable to: North Reading United for Education and send to Pete Kaepplinger, 9 Fieldstone Way, North Reading, 01864

Important News

What's all this talk about health insurance? North Reading's health insurance budget will increase 11 percent next year, eating into a large portion of any revenues available for contractual and expense increases to keep the town and schools at level services. Read about the problem and solutions here, and tell leaders on Beacon Hill we need a solution NOW!

Key Links

 NR Public Schools
 NR Town Web Site
 Stand for Children
 Rep. Brad Jones
 Dept. of Education
 Dept. of Revenue
 Governor Deval Patrick



Notable Quote:

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

- Margaret Mead

Stay Informed!

View the School Committee report from April 5 Town Meeting. This report is an excellent synopsis that shows the "bang for the buck" North Reading Schools provide when spending is compared to results.


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Attend Town Meeting
Monday, June 7 at 7 p.m.
NRHS High School
 150 Quorum Required

Free onsite childcare provided by NRHS Student Council and Interact Club members
Registration is not required, but is helpful
For details click here
To register or for questions, e-mail Barbara Thorstad


Sure, it's a school night, but just one night out at Town Meeting can mean an adequate school budget next year and the opportunity for North Reading to receive state reimbursement to explore plans to update its inadequate aging secondary schools (Middle School/High School). Print this informative flyer and share it with your friends!

The Massachusetts School Building Assistance Bureau has identified North Reading's need to improve its Secondary Schools among the top 15 in the state. North Reading is guaranteed 45 percent reimbursement on the $1 million feasibility study up for vote. The process differs from prior school projects, as the state now works with towns to develop projects and guarantees reimbursement once a project is approved. See all the details here.

This is not an override, but a two-thirds majority is required at Town Meeting for passage. If this feasibility study is not approved, North Reading loses the opportunity and moves to the end of the line for state reimbursement.

The Need for Continued Advocacy

NRUE was created a few years ago out of necessity. Prior to that, a few concerned parents initiated communication with our legislators, town leaders, and school officials by creating a letter writing campaign to Sen. Tarr and Rep. Jones under the name Chapter 70 Committee.

When budget constraints left gaping holes in the school budget and parents were distracted with everyday life, our town leaders put education funding out to an override making that funding optional, and citizens were left to decide if in fact education was a priority for them.

The override failed and a dreadful year followed, with teacher and specialist layoffs, elementary and Middle School students going home at lunchtime every Wednesday, lots of study halls for Middle School students, and increased class sizes at the High School.

So you see, NRUE was born out of necessity and has worked tirelessly to let leaders, citizens, students, families and teachers know that education is a priority in North Reading, and budgets cannot be balanced by cutting education in a school system that already has one of the lowest per pupil expenditures in Massachusetts. NRUE's mission continues to focus on ensuring adequate education funding that maintains a solid core five-day per week education, with reasonable class sizes and program offerings that leave North Reading students ready to meet the challenges of competitive college admission and job markets. Education may seem stable this year, after federal stimulus dollars and tireless work by NRUE, Stand for Children, and our town leaders managed to stem the bleeding for this year. While we do not wish to cry wolf for next year, rest assured the budget looks very tight and our students continue to need concerned parents and citizens to advocate for a stable, sound education EACH and EVERY YEAR.

So while things are "okay" in our schools this year, every year it is necessary to ramp up our visibility and communication to protect precious funding resources that will preserve our children's education quality for the upcoming school year.

If you'd like to join NRUE in our ongoing advocacy, please send us an e-mail.

Help NRUE Support Balance, Focus on Teachers and Curriculum, and Affordable Contracts and Benefits
At public meetings and in communications with elected leaders at the state and local levels, your involvement helps NRUE promote:

1) A fair and equitable budget that shares the responsibility for meeting the challenges of these tough financial times equally among all citizens and employees of North Reading.

2) A school budget directing funds toward maintaining basic education during the school day, including managing class size, programs, and curriculum to give all students the best education possible.

3) Affordable contracts and health-care agreements across the schools and the town to manage budgets for the long-term.

4) Ongoing evaluation of revenue sources, cost savings, and efficiencies that bring stability and balance to budgets in the near and long term.




Please bookmark this website and check back regularly for important news and updates on issues surrounding education in North Reading.

Take Action

We need you now. Please join/email NRUE. Click (here)

Tell us in an email how you would like to help or find out from the NRUE team how you can help.

© 2008 North Reading United for Education, All Rights Reserved.