About Mission

The Reading Education Foundation (REF), non-profit foundation, is committed to supporting innovation and excellence in the Reading Public Schools.

Our goal is to enhance and increase educational opportunities for all Reading students by providing funds for projects that go beyond the scope of traditional classroom learning.

We are committed to working for the whole child and every child.

REF History

The Reading Education Foundation (REF), formerly the Reading Technology & Education Foundation, was founded in 2001 in response to a glaring lack of technology in the Reading public schools. During its first decade, REF granted over $300,000 to the schools in the form of smart boards, laptops, teacher training, etc. Thanks to the generosity of this community, REF technology grants have supported every public school in Reading and reached every child in the district.

REF Today
In 2011, REF expanded its mission in response to the economic crisis that is having a detrimental impact on public schools. The Board determined that widening the mission was vital for supporting excellence in our schools. REF is committed to providing grants for innovative programs and teacher training that help our students develop skills in creativity, collaboration, communication, and empathy, so important for success in our world today. “We intend to fulfill the research and development role within the Reading school district,” explains Debbie Boschetti, co-founder of the Foundation. “We will make every effort to fund cutting-edge programs and teacher training for Reading schools to ensure 21stcentury success for our students.”

Have a program idea?
We are inviting proposals that will demonstrate innovation, collaboration, and a broad impact upon the school district as a whole.

Click here to learn more about our Grant Process.
Contact us to get involved!

REF Board Members

JOIN REF! Now accepting applications for Board membership
Download REF Application for Board Membership or contact us for more information about this inspiring opportunity!

Officers & Committee Chairs

Laura O’Neill, President, has been a resident of Reading for over ten years.  Since moving to Reading, Laura has been an active volunteer and leader with both the Parker Middle School and Joshua Eaton PTO.  Having worked as an attorney for a large non profit theater company, Laura is also an avid supporter and advocate for local and regional arts organizations. Laura holds an undergraduate degree from Syracuse University and a law degree from DePaul University

Laura Fusco, Vice President, has been a resident in Reading since 2010 with her husband Tom and their three children who attend three different schools within the Reading Public Schools.  Since 2010 she has been an active volunteer at both Joshua Eaton and Parker Middle School in various capacities and is an active member of the RMHS Band Parents Organization.    Laura has previously served for several years as a Cub Scout Den Leader for Pack 728 in Reading as well as serving on its executive planning committee. Laura joined REF in January 2018.

Teresa Arent, Treasurer, brings over thirty years experience in Executive Search. She currently is a Partner with KLR Executive Search Group, a boutique executive search firm that specializes in recruiting experienced Board Members, CEOs, and their senior level reports across a variety of industries. Earlier in her career, Teresa was the Chief of Staff for Romney for U.S. Senate, the Director of Budget/Accounts Payable/Payroll for the Office of the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Director of Administration for the Massachusetts Republican State Committee. Teresa earned a B.A. from Middlebury College and an M.B.A. from Suffolk University. Teresa is currently the Treasurer of Reading Education Foundation, the Treasurer of Friends of Reading Girls Hockey, Treasurer of Friends of Reading Field Hockey, and the Treasurer of the Pocketbook Project. Teresa also served on the Search Committee for the Parker Middle School Principal selection in 2016 and was recently Chairwoman for the 2021 Superintendent search for the Town of Reading, Massachusetts and served on the Search Committee for the Director of Finance for Reading Schools.

Rebecca Schromm, Secretary, grew up in Reading and is a graduate of Reading Memorial High School.  She and her husband, Doug, returned to Reading in 2005 to raise their three sons.  Rebecca has been an active volunteer and board member of the Barrows and RMHS PTOs.  She also supports several youth sports and arts organizations.  She joined the REF board in 2021 to support innovative educational opportunities for all students (and because of her love for the Festival of Trees)!  Rebecca has a B.S in Biology from Tufts University and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from MGH Institute of Health Professions.  She currently works as a physical therapist in a local school district.

 

 

Members:

Andrea Nelson has lived in Reading with her husband and two children since 2006. She has devoted her career to educating children at the elementary level and has experienced first-hand the benefits of having a foundation support new and innovative ideas. When her children began their journeys through the Reading Public Schools, she joined REF as a way of giving back to the community.  She hopes to use her educational background and experience to support initiatives that foster personal growth for all Reading youth. Andrea holds a dual Master’s degree in both Elementary and Special Education from Lesley University.

 

Megan Fidler-Carey is an educator who has fervently advocated for equity and opportunity for students for over a decade, focusing on community partnerships as a driver for positive change. Having spent time as a District Director for Partnerships and Out of School Time, and before that a High School Director of Partnerships for Students, Megan is exceptionally proficient at collaboration-building and uses that skill to develop and maintain relationships with community non-profit, wellness, and business organizations to compliment the academic experiences of students in the districts where she serves. Megan is  passionate about contributing to the positive academic achievement and empowerment of public school students and elevating the voices of community members. With a Master’s in Education from UMass Boston, Megan has successfully passed the third phase of her doctoral degree in the Leadership In Urban Schools program.

Alicia Zessis grew up in Reading and is a graduate of Reading Memorial High School.  She currently lives in town with her husband and two sons.  Alicia has held several volunteer positions with Joshua Eaton PTO, Reading Youth Hockey and Reading Little League.  She has over thirty years in the healthcare industry and currently works in the IT Department at Beth Israel Lahey Health in Burlington.  Alicia holds a BA from Stonehill College and a dual master’s degree from Tufts Medical & Emerson College.

Debbie Hattery has lived in Reading for over 20+ years and has four children, two at RMHS and two in college. She served as a board member on the Wood End elementary school PTO and the Principal’s Council, as a Budget Parent on the Superintendent’s Budget Committee and as a member of the town’s Audit Committee. She is currently serving as a Town Meeting member and is an active volunteer at RMHS. She joined the REF board as a way to support K-12 educational initiatives across the district. Debbie has always worked in the field of education, first as an Associate Director of International Relations for a college international honor society and then for a majority of her career as an Assistant Commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education specializing in administration and finance.  She is currently serving RPS as a substitute teacher for the 2021-22 school year.  Debbie holds a B.S. from the University of Nebraska and a M.A. from Harvard University.

Krista Macari has lived in Reading with her husband and son for over 10 years.  Krista joined REF as a way to support the Reading community and increase opportunities for all students and families.  Krista has worked for the past 27 years in the field of special education, first as a speech-language pathologist, later as principal of a private special education school, and currently as the Director of Student Supports for an charter network serving elementary and middle school students in Boston.  Krista holds a BA from SUNY Albany, an MS from Northeastern University, and an EdD from Boston University.

Naomi Muse has lived in Reading with her husband and twins since 2010.  Naomi is a biotech executive and joined REF as a way to give back to the Reading community.  She enjoys learning more about Reading Public Schools and opportunities to fund innovative grants through her participation in REF.  Naomi holds a Masters in Business Administration from Boston University and a BS from Bates College.

Neil Taylor has lived in Reading with his wife and two kids since 2012. He has worked as an elementary school educator for the past 20 years in Boston and Lexington. His children have thrived in the local school system, and Neil wants to ensure that teachers feel supported and have continued access to innovative technology and experiences through the REF grant process. Neil holds a Masters degree in education from Lesley University and a B.A. from Tufts University.

 

 

Contact us to see how you can support REF!
Reading Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private, nonprofit organization.