Community Meeting – Site and Community Use

Join the Killam School Building Committee for a community meeting on Wednesday, October 23rd at 7:00pm at the Reading Public Library. The Killam designers will present on the site and community use.

Visioning the Future of Killam School

As part of the MSBA process, we have embarked on a visioning journey to reimagine Killam School. This collaboration involved students, teachers, parents, administrators, and volunteers who toured schools, observed life at Killam, and participated in workshops. With community feedback, the Killam School Building Committee developed the Educational Plan, a key MSBA requirement.

Learn About the Physical Need for a New Killam School

Killam School was built in 1969 and has never undergone a major renovation. Reading Public Schools applied for MSBA funding for Killam because the building is at the end of its useful life. Find out more about the need for a new elementary school through this short video.

On August 14th, hear from the team on the preferred design solutions and see what the future could hold for the Killam School!

Learn More About the MSBA Process

Did you know that the Killam School Building Project officially kicked off in 2022 when the Killam School was one of only 17 schools accepted into the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s (MSBA) process? Learn more about the process in this short video!

Join us at 7pm on Wednesday August 14 at the Reading Public Library to hear from the KSBP team on the preferred design solutions and see what the future could hold for the Killam School.

Killam School Building Project Update

WEEKLY UPDATE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

  • On Monday, May 20, members of the Killam School Building Committee held a community meeting at the Pleasant Street Center to give an overview of the project and its status, along with what has been completed to date and details on the MSBA process.
  • On Tuesday, May 21, our project team from Killam architect LBA, led by Jenni Katajamaki, presented to the Select Board (see the meeting here). The next KSBC is on Monday, June 17.
  • Upcoming community meetings are scheduled over the summer on Monday, July 15 for the evaluation of alternatives at the RMHS PAC, and Thursday, August 8 for the preferred solution, also at the RMHS PAC.
  • The Killam School website is up-to-date with meeting recordings, packets and upcoming activities. Please visit to see the latest on the project!

Killam School Building Project Update

WEEKLY UPDATE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

  • On Thursday April 11, the KSBC held a community meeting with project architect LBA. The team shared pieces of the educational visioning work done in collaboration with Killam staff and administration. Initial floor plans and designs were also shared with the Reading community. Thank you to the residents who attended and those that toured the building prior to the meeting! About a dozen people took tours. The meeting is posted on YouTube by RCTV here.
    • You can see the slides from LBA on the Killam School website by following this path: https://www.killamschool.com/#DOCS –>Project Updates –>April 11 Killam Community Meeting Preliminary Alternatives
  • On Friday, April 19 and Monday, April 22, GEOTECHNICAL BORING IS HAPPENING AT THE KILLAM. This drilling work will begin at 7AM and could go as late as 5PM on Friday and Monday. It is likely to be noisy. Residents in the area and interested parties will receive a call Thursday afternoon with information.
  • The next outreach meeting will be on May 20, from 4-5PM, at the Pleasant Street Center. We will host a moderated panel conversation with members of the public interested in the project. The scope will be broad.
  • The next Killam School Building Committee meeting is Thursday, May 9, at 7PM at Reading Town Hall.

KILLAM SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECT UPDATE

This week the project team held a community meeting where initial site options were shown and the educational vision was revealed.

WEEKLY UPDATE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

  • The Killam School Building Committee met on Monday, April 8. The RCTV recording is here: https://www.youtube.com/live/Xfdc5f2vXck?si=aIOZJjQykaWdxHR3
    • Tasks Complete
      • Traffic Study – Completed
      • Preliminary Alternatives – First Draft completed; presented
      • Educational Program – In Progress
      • Geotechnical Investigation – In Progress
    • NEXT STEPS
      • Cost Estimating: April 15 – May 3
      • Next SBC Meetings: May 6 – Preliminary Alternatives with Cost Estimates
      • May 9 – Vote to Accept PDP (virtual)
      • PDP Submittal to MSBA: May 20
    • Discussion topics included:
      • MBTA communities zoning law – OPM reached out to MSBA to assess if grants hinge on passage of compliant zoning.
      • Discussed RISE preschool program potentially moving into a new school
      • Discussed site plan options – four options presented
  • On Thursday April 11, the KSBC held a community meeting with project architect LBA. The team shared pieces of the educational visioning work done in collaboration with Killam staff and administration. Initial floor plans and designs were also shared with the Reading community. Check out the video from the meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G23vHwVSFtQ
  • The next Killam School Building Committee meeting is Monday, May 6, at 7PM at Reading Town Hall.

Killam School Building Project Update

This week the project team held a community meeting, reviewed recent traffic and safety reminders, and prepared for the next community meeting on Thursday, April 11 to review the educational visioning process and plan development.  

WEEKLY UPDATE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

  • On Monday April 1, the KSBC held a community meeting with our project OPM Colliers and project architect LBA. Our traffic consultants GPI were also to hand, and site development options were discussed, including robust conversation with residents. Special thanks to Lt. Chris Jones for attending and answering some questions as well.. See the meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWtr97tcf6o.
  • The next community Meeting on the Killam School project will be held on Thursday, April 11 at 7pm at the school. LBA will share about the Educational Visioning process that they undertook in collaboration with Reading Public Schools and Killam staff and students and how the outcomes of the process have informed the initial planning of the new Killam School. LBA will also share several conceptual site plans and floor plans. The design team is looking for feedback from the community that will inform the planning of the site and interior layout of the buildings.
  • A big thank you to RPD and the DPW for all the work they’ve started doing already to improve traffic and safety around the Killam School. With the measures taken to date, we’ve already seen improvements, and expect to see even more as time goes on!
  • Wondering how you can you help?
    • Please watch out for pedestrians in crosswalks
    • Keep an eye out for kids at all times
    • Avoid U-turns during pickup and drop off
    • Try to limit parking to one side of the street
    • Avoid blocking our neighbors’ driveways
    • When parking, avoid blocking sidewalks so pedestrians can safely pass
    • Reminder not to make left turns out of the parking loop
    • Reminder of pick up and drop off times: Drop off starts at 8:15 AM and doors close at 8:25 AM and Dismissal is at 2:45 PM.
    • Do not leave your car idle
    • Please observe posted speed limits, especially on Haverhill St. where averages are nearly 40mph in the school zone.
  • The next Killam School Building Committee meeting is Monday, April 8, at 7PM at Reading Town Hall.