School Committee announces four finalists for Superintendent position
(4-5 minute read)
Reading Memorial High School, where upcoming public interviews for the district’s next Superintendent will be held in the school library. Photo by Taylor Gregory.
The Reading School Committee has announced four finalists in its search for the district’s next Superintendent, following the upcoming departure of Dr. Thomas Milaschewski at the end of the school year.
The finalists were introduced during the School Committee meeting on March 19, marking the transition into the final phase of the selection process. Community members will have multiple opportunities to engage with candidates before the final decision is made.
Meet the finalists
The four finalists bring a range of leadership experience from districts across Massachusetts:
Andrew Bott - A current Head of School in Boston Public Schools and former Superintendent of Brookline, with extensive experience in school turnaround, district leadership, and managing large-scale budgets and capital projects.
Wendy Crocker-Roberge - Assistant Superintendent in Lowell Public Schools, with a background in district-wide leadership, school turnaround efforts, and improving literacy outcomes and student performance.
Henry Turner - Principal of Newton North High School and nationally recognized educational leader, known for advancing equity, expanding academic opportunities, and leading large, complex school systems.
Heather Galante - Principal of Bedford High School, with nearly a decade of leadership experience focused on equity, student support systems, and building inclusive, high-performing school environments.
Each candidate brings a distinct leadership style and experience aligned with Reading Public Schools’ priorities, including academic excellence, student well-being, and equity.
Opportunities for engagement
Residents, parents, and staff are encouraged to participate in upcoming stakeholder sessions, which will allow for direct interaction with each finalist. These sessions will be held in a hybrid format (in person at the Central Office Conference Room or via Zoom) from 5:15 - 6:00 pm on the following dates:
March 23: Andrew Bott
March 24: Wendy Crocker-Roberge
March 25: Henry Turner
April 1: Heather Galante
These sessions are designed to give community members a chance to share perspectives and help inform the School Committee’s decision.
Public interviews scheduled
The School Committee will also conduct formal public interviews, which residents can attend either in person at the Reading Memorial High School Library or via Zoom.
Monday, March 30
Andrew Bott: 6:00 - 7:15 pm
Heather Galante: 7:30 - 8:45 pm
Tuesday, March 31
Henry Turner: 6:00 - 7:15 pm
Wendy Crocker-Roberge: 7:30 - 8:45 pm
About the role
The next Superintendent will lead a district that serves students across multiple schools and programs, with a FY26 budget of approximately $58.5 million and a strong reputation for academic performance and community engagement.
District leadership has emphasized the importance of finding a candidate who can:
Advance equity and inclusion
Strengthen communication and trust within the community
Support high-quality teaching and learning
Navigate municipal finance and long-term planning
Build on Reading’s strong educational foundation
What comes next
The School Committee is expected to vote on a final candidate in early April, with a preferred start date of July 1, 2026.
Community participation will play a key role in shaping that decision, as district leaders encourage residents to attend sessions, engage with candidates, and share feedback.
For more information and to review candidate materials, residents can visit the Reading Public Schools website or attend one of the upcoming sessions.
