I would let them know that you have spoken to teachers that you know and they have told you that where they are at is not acceptable at this stage of the year. It does sound like they are going to shaft you again, but I would stand my ground on this if it were me. Our school is always extremely open about where our kids are at and what they are achieving, so it seems really suss to me that they can't even tell you what level reader they are on.

I would ask them directly what reading levels they are on and what levels they are expected to reach by the end of each year.
Ask them if there are opportunities for reading recovery sessions (you may not need that, but it wont hurt to ask JIC)
Ask if you can see their assessment criteria for the boys - what is it they are testing them on and also what outcomes the boys are meant to be meeting

If you go in there with specific questions it will be very hard for them to fob you off without obviously looking like they are fobbing you off. If you ask to see what I suggested and they refuse, ask them why are they refusing etc.

But honestly, if it were me, I would not put up with that kind of treatment and if they fobbed you off again I would just pull them out of the school because clearly they aren't prepared to be open with you and while ever they are talking that stance, your boys will never advance.