DESE Awards North Reading Public Schools a $20,000 Hate Crimes Prevention Grant

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has approved a $20,000 grant for the North Reading Public Schools as part of its FY26 Hate Crimes Prevention initiative.

According to DESE, these grants will be used “to establish or expand programs designed to prevent hate crimes and incidences of bias in selected schools.” These programs “will include collaborations with local organizations including local human rights organizations that have ongoing local relationships and expertise in promoting equity, building positive school climate, preventing hate crimes, and addressing bias-motivated incidents.”

“We are very fortunate to have partnered with the North Reading Police Department to receive these grant funds in the amount of $20,000 for the 2025-26 school year which will be used to continue programs that will impact the students and staff at all five schools as well as the entire community of North Reading,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Daly. “In 2025-26 we will continue our partnership with SEEM Collaborative and our multi-district coordinator to support the implementation of evidence-based curriculum and programs for students that promote awareness and understanding, and are specific to helping to prevent hate crimes and incidents of bias-motivated conduct, including professional development for educators and school staff.”

Sean Killeen, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, added “this grant will help to support our educators and administrators who are attending professional development, providing training for staff, and implementing support systems for students and the North Reading community through workshops and engagement activities centered around hate crimes and bias.”

Mr. Killeen, along with North Reading Middle School Principal Dr. Cathy O’Connell, will use grant funds to support year three of the playbook initiative for middle school students. Dr. O’Connell shared that “this evidence-based curriculum program involves high school students training middle school students and promotes awareness and understanding of hate crimes and incidents of bias-motivated conduct. Funds will also be used for reading materials, books and evidence-based curriculum and programs for students.”

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) commended North Reading school officials for submitting a successful grant application and setting a positive example for others to follow.

“Under the leadership of Dr. Daly and his team, the North Reading Public Schools have been proactive in educating students about the importance of recognizing and responding to hate-motivated crimes,” said Representative Jones. “This grant funding will help ensure that our local schools remain a safe place for all students by emphasizing that prejudicial and discriminatory behavior against an individual or group of people should never be tolerated.”

“Every student deserves to learn in an environment that is safe, inclusive, and respectful,” said Senator Tarr. “This grant will strengthen North Reading’s efforts to foster a school culture that rejects hate, embraces understanding, and equips students with the tools to stand against bias and discrimination.”

All Massachusetts public school districts, including charter schools, were eligible to apply for the Hate Crimes Prevention Grants, which were approved following a competitive solicitation for projects. A total of $1,014,500 was awarded to 38 applicants, with individual grants ranging from $5,000 to $44,000.

“Funded proposals demonstrated quality planning and approaches for implementing identified hate crime and anti-bias strategies that addressed specific issues and/or called on evidence-based practices for direct student support,” DESE wrote.

The North Reading Public Schools were previously awarded a $50,000 Hate Crimes Prevention Grant under this state initiative in 2023.