Everett School Committee
Monday December 4, 2023
Clickable Transcript Printable Transcript Agenda
The order of items in transcripts appear in the chronological order in which they were taken up. Some Agenda items may have been skipped.
IV.
During this public hearing, various residents and representatives voiced concerns and opinions regarding the selection of a new superintendent for Everett Public Schools, advocating for a delay in the hiring process until the new school committee takes office in January 2024. Critics argued that the current process lacked community involvement, transparency, and could potentially be unfair to incoming committee members who should have a say in the selection. A legal precedent was cited, suggesting that contracts entered during a lame-duck session could be rescinded by newly elected officials. The NAACP stressed the need for a fair and open selection process, emphasizing respect and the importance of not binding future committees to decisions made by their predecessors. Additionally, attendees raised issues related to school administration, staffing concerns, and voiced dissatisfaction with the treatment of current and former superintendents, highlighting perceived inequities and the importance of community voice in these decisions. Some speakers also criticized alleged conflicts of interest and called for direct communication between school staff and administration to address ongoing educational concerns.
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X. 2.
The section discusses a public hearing about considering new approaches to school transportation in light of available federal funding through the Inflation Reduction Act for clean energy initiatives, specifically focusing on electrifying school transportation vehicles. Samantha Lambert, a committee member, provides background on the advisory program offered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (Mass CEC), which is designed to assist 25 school districts and third-party vendors in analyzing their current transportation contracts and matching them with federal and state grants for clean energy transitions. The discussion involves whether to extend a current transportation contract with Malden Transportation, led by David Morowitz, amid considerations of moving towards electric vehicles. Committee members express concerns about the timing of the contract extension and the implications for participating in the Mass CEC program. Lambert suggests delaying the contract extension to allow participation in the advisory program and better align with potential grants and clean energy goals. There are varying opinions on the urgency and feasibility of transitioning to electric vehicles, with some members worried about losing the vendor and others emphasizing the need for forward-thinking and alignment with clean energy initiatives.
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VI. 1.
At an Everett public school hearing, Superintendent Hart addressed concerns regarding recent stranger sightings near school properties in Massachusetts, emphasizing the district's proactive security measures despite no incidents in Everett. Measures include a strict visitor policy, security cameras, ID issuance, alarmed and monitored doors, panic buttons for immediate police notification, and bullet-resistant material for exterior doors, spurred by an FBI warning to all Massachusetts superintendents. Hart highlighted ongoing vigilance and information sharing with law enforcement and statewide groups to ensure student and staff safety. Hart also mentioned a positive conversation with the director of safety and security, Lauren O'Connor, about the district's preparedness and safety strategies. Committee members discussed additional safety measures, including patrol requests and intercom system upgrades, and Superintendent Hart shared insights into the district's educational initiatives, including the successful implementation of the i-Ready program for K-5 math, the formation of a competitive robotics team, enhancements in Pre-K education, achievements in arts, and the launch of a no-cost after-school program. The discussion underscored the district's commitment to both educational excellence and safety, highlighting upcoming events and recognizing staff contributions to the district's safety and educational goals.
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VI. 3.
The section discusses a request for the acceptance of Market Basket gift cards donated by Nick Nuzzo, a custodian, to Webster School's students in need. The gesture was previously mentioned in an earlier meeting. The committee acknowledged Nuzzo's generosity and humility, thanking both him and school committee member Cardello for her efforts in collaborating with the city and school in recognizing Nuzzo's contribution. Attendees at a school event included members Cristiano, Chairman Mangan, and the director of veteran services, who presented Nuzzo with a citation from the mayor’s office for his dedication and generosity. The committee needs to formally accept his contribution.
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VI. 4.
This segment describes a request for the acceptance of market basket gift cards from the Zonta Club, as discussed in a previous meeting. The Zonta Club, comprising several communities adjacent to Everett, annually provides these gift cards. The request follows a tradition where principles and the speaker had previously met with a representative from the Zonta Club to receive the gift cards. An official vote is now sought to formally accept these gifts on behalf of the city.
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