North Reading School District Groundbreaking

The North Reading School District held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new middle/high school on Saturday, Nov. 3 at North Reading Middle School. A large crowd turned out for the ceremony that featured speeches from state and local officials, live music performed by students and, of course, the groundbreaking itself.

Superintendent Kathleen Willis spoke and was the MC for the event. John (Jack) McCarthy of the MSBA, Senator Bruce Tarr, Representative Brad Jones, Selectmen Chairman Sean Delaney, School Committee Chairman Mel Webster, Town Administrator Greg Balukonis and Secondary School Committee Chairman Chuck Carucci also spoke at the event.

Town Administrator Greg Balukonis spoke about the uniqueness of North Reading, and said that the school building project, "sets us apart from the crowd."

"I am delighted to help break ground on this important project," MSBA Executive Director John McCarthy said in a recent release. "Thanks to the MSBA's successful partnership with North Reading, students and staff will benefit from a 21st century learning and teaching environment for many years to come."

School Committee Chairman Mel Webster said that it was both exciting and rewarding to be a part of the celebration. Even though residents will see increased taxes due to the project, it still feels like North Reading won the lottery, Webster said.

The students that took part the groundbreaking were high school students Michael Bitto, Madison Cappezzuto, Matthew Stead, Nicolas O’connell, Jason Glenn and Matthew Leighton; middle school students Ryan Dinapoli, Julianna McAdams, Abigail Johnson and elementary school students Laura Buscemi, Maddie Dinapoli and Jack Cronin.

"It's a happy day," a parent at the ceremony said. 

Take a look at the video attached to see a short clip of the groundbreaking.