001Good evening and welcome to the special meeting of the Everett School Committee public hearings scheduled for Tuesday, April 28th. The time is 6:06 p.m. Clerk, could you call the roll to determine a quorum? Mr. Almeida Barros. Present. Ms. Babcock. Present. Ms. Cardello. Present. >> Ms. Cornelio. Present. Ms. Cristiano. Present. Mr. DeNofrio. Present. Ms. Garen. Present. Mr. LaMonica. >> Present. Mayor Van Campen. >> Present. Chairperson Hurley. Present. All 10 members present. >> members present. We have a quorum. Could everyone join me in saluting the flag? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you all. For clarification purposes, we have uh committee member Genie Cristiano attending remotely. So, all voting has to
002be done by roll call this evening. Superintendent, could you read the next order of business? Roman numeral three is public hearings. Item one, the Everett School Committee in accordance with Massachusetts General Law chapter 71 section 38N will hold a public hearing on the subject of the proposed fiscal year 2027 School Department budget on Tuesday, April the 28th, 2026. The proposed budget is posted on and has been posted on the Everett Public Schools website. Hard copies have been available in the Vine Street offices of the Everett Public School and Everett High School. Move to open a public hearing on item number one. Second. Motion has been made by Mayor Van Campen, seconded by Mr. LaMonica to open the public hearing for item number one. Which is on the fiscal 2027 budget. Roll call. Mr. Almeida Barros.
003Yes. Ms. Babcock. >> Yes. Ms. Cardello. Yes. Ms. Cornelius. Yes. Ms. Cristiano. Yes. Mr. D'Onofrio. Yes. Ms. Gannon. Yes. Mr. LaMonica. >> Yes. Mayor Van Campen. >> Yes. Madam Chair. Yes. So moved 10-0. >> So moved 10-0. Uh the first public hearing is now open. But before we begin, in accordance with the rules of the Everett School Committee chapter six public hearing section five, addressing the School Committee. The chairperson shall recognize members of the general public wishing to address the School Committee. All persons so recognized must first state their full name and address. Each person so recognized shall be given two minutes to speak and shall confine his or her remarks to the subject matter of the public hearing. School Committee may wave or extend the time allotted to the speaker except that such except
004that such a waiver shall apply to all sides wishing to be heard. With that being said, we have members that have signed up to speak in favor of the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget. The first speaker is Paulo Lambreza. Mr. Lambreza? Good evening. My name is Paulo Lambreza. I'm the principal of the Madeline English School. First, I want to thank Superintendent Hart, May Van Campen, Madam Chair Hurley, and members of the School Committee for the opportunity to speak tonight. I want to begin by expressing my deep appreciation to Superintendent Hart for the time, effort, and care that went into developing our school budget. It clearly reflects the commitment to the students and families of Everett and an understanding of the diverse and evolving needs within our schools. At the Madeline English, we are proud to
005support two highly specialized special ed programs, the Learning Adaptive Behavior Program, our LAB Program, and our Language Based Program. These programs serve students with complex and individualized learning profiles, and they require not only dedicated staff, but also consistent access to appropriate resources, materials, and support. The The success of these students depend on stability and intentional investment in these programs. I am encouraged to see that within the proposed budget, neither of these programs have experienced a reduction in service. That matters. Maintaining these supports ensure that students who rely on structured specialized instruction can continue to make meaningful academic and social progress. It also allows educators to sustain a level of care and expertise that these programs demand. At the same time, it's important to recognize the broader need of our student population. In our build-building, approximately
00646% of students require English learner service services. This is not a small subgroup. It is nearly half our school community. These students bring incredible strength, including multilingualism and cultural diversity, but they also require targeted support to access the curriculum fully and thrive academically. Providing effective English learner services means more than just language instruction. It requires trained staff, appropriate class sizes, collaboration between educators, and a strong family engagement. It also requires a continued commitment to culturally responsive practices that honor and reflect the backgrounds of our students. This budget takes important steps in recognizing both these needs. By maintaining services in our specialized programs and continuing supporting our English learners, it reflects a commitment to equity, not just in principle, but in practice. It acknowledges that different students require different supports, and that meeting those needs is
007essential to ensuring success to all. Stability is critical, but so is growth. As our student population continues to evolve, so too must our investments in the programs and services that support them. Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your ongoing dedication to the students and families of Everett. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Limberis. Our next speaker is Eric Follo. Good evening, everyone. Uh my name is Eric Follo. I'm the proud parent of two students at the Madeline English School. Uh thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight. I would like to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation of Superintendent Hart and his administration for their hard work and dedication in developing this year's budget. It is clear this process was approached with great care and a strong commitment to meeting the needs of the
008students. As a parent, I see firsthand how important it is for my children to have the support and resources they need to succeed in the classroom. This budget represents more than just financial planning. It reflects a deep commitment to providing every student with a quality education and the opportunity to reach their full potential. The investments outlined in this budget will directly support students by strengthening classroom instruction, maintaining essential services, and ensuring the educators and staff have the tools they need to do their job successfully. These supports make a real difference in the day-to-day experiences of our children. Our experience at the Madeline English School has been overwhelmingly positive, and for that, I want to recognize the dedication of the teachers, the staff, and the administrators who work tirelessly on behalf of our students. A strong
009budget empowers them to continue fostering safe, supportive, and engaging learning environments where the student has the opportunity to thrive. At a time when difficult decisions are often necessary, it's important that we continue to prioritize education. Supporting this budget means supporting our children, our schools, and the future of our community. On behalf of me, my family, I want to thank you again for your leadership and your commitment to our students. I strongly support this budget and all that makes it possible. Thank you. I appreciate your time. >> [clears throat] >> Thank you, Mr. Polo. Our next speaker on the list is Kim Auger. Ms. Auger. Good evening. Um Kimberly Auger, 40 Woodward Street, and president of the Everett Teachers Association. I just wanted to come forward and thank you for bringing forward a just, equitable, and
010balanced um budget for the residents of Everett, but especially for our students and for our educators um that are working with them daily. I also wanted to just also say that I appreciate the transparency and all of the work that you did and for the forthcoming of bringing this forward and working with the Everett Teachers Association um throughout the process. So, thank you again and I look forward to working with you as we work through this budget period. Thank you, Ms. Auger. Our next speaker is Kayla King. Welcome, Kayla. Thank you. All right. Um so, good afternoon again, committee. My name's Kayla King. I live at 201 Chelsea Street, Everett, Mass. Um so, I'm the proud parent of Samira King DaCosta, a junior and varsity player here at Everett High School. Thank you for the
011opportunity to speak today in support of the budget. Um school athletics are not just after school activities, but they're the lifeline for many students. They teach discipline, teamwork, and leadership while providing a structured, safe environment that keeps students engaged and connected to the school. For many, being part of a team is what motivates them academically. And once again, I just want to say thank you for your time and consideration. Again, I'm in support of this budget. Thank you for your time. We have another speaker, Ms. Maureen Morelli. Ms. Morelli. Welcome. Hi. Thank you. Good evening, members of the School Committee and District Leadership. My name is Maureen Morelli. I'm a lifelong resident of Everett. I am also the parent of Everett school graduates and an educator in Everett. Um I'm here today to express my
012strong support for the Everett Public Schools uh 2027 budget. I urge this committee to approve the funding necessary to sustain and expand the critical support services our students depend on every day. Our students are not just academic learners, they are whole people who come to school carrying real challenges. Mental health struggles, medical conditions, emotional hardships do not pause when the school bell rings. That is why it is essential that this budget prioritizes student well-being alongside academic achievement. I want to specifically highlight the importance of funding in reintegration programs like Bright. The Bright model program serves students who are returning to school after mental health crisis, hospitalization, or extended medical absences. Students who are among our most vulnerable and most in need of a compassionate transition back to the classroom. Without dedicated funding and staff to
013support these transitions, these students are at serious risk of falling through cracks entirely. Investing in emotional well-being support services is not a luxury. It is a necessity. When students feel safe, supported, and seen, they attend school more consistently, engage more meaningfully, and achieve at higher levels. I ask the committee to protect and prioritize funding for mental health support staff, transition programs, and student wellness services in our budget. Our students are counting on us to make the right choices. Thank you for your time. Thank you, Ms. Morelli. Seeing no other speakers on the sign-up sheet, I will ask three times if there is anyone else that would like to speak in favor of the fiscal year 2027 budget. Is there anyone that would like to speak in favor of the fiscal year 2027 budget? There's a
014hand. Come on up. Ms. Redler, welcome. Oh, thank you. Hello. Please begin by stating your name, and you have 2 minutes. I am Jessica Redler, assistant principal at the Adams School. And Hello, my name is Valencia. Valencia Boue Jourdan, and my sons goes to the public schools in Everett. Um Do you want me to go first? You can go first. Sure. So, uh my son's name is Ashlen. My son is very shy. He started at the Adams School September 2025. Um His challenge is socialize. He's very, very shy. He doesn't know how to connect in with the other kids. Transition pre-K from half-day to full-day will provide the children with stronger foundation for kindergarten. The extended time will allow them deeper to learn more structure routine and better socialize. They will have more socialize with
015other kids and the teacher in the classroom. So, um it will be helping the teacher to have more confident and make more trans- This transition will make more It will be much better, smoother for them to go to kindergarten. Thank you. And I want to thank Mom for coming tonight because she left work early to be here because she knows how valuable preschool is. And after that, I'd like to start by saying good evening to everybody. And I want to thank you as a school committee for being so supportive of the full-day preschool program, as well as Mr. Hart. It's a wonderful concept and I'm glad it's finally coming to fruition. It's been something I've been striving for for a couple years now. It's an exciting step forward for our district and for our families
016that we serve. Full-day preschool will provide our youngest learners with additional time to build early literacy skills, language, and social emotional skills that are learned through purposeful play, routines, and meaningful instruction. It provides children with a safe, nurturing environment where they can learn the routines, gain confidence and independence, develop a strong sense of belonging, and discover the joy of school. That's one of the most important things that we strive for that they're happy when they leave every day. Preschool lays a strong foundation for success. It is where children begin to see themselves as learners, classmates, and valued members of our school community. At a time when many cities and towns across the state are facing severe difficult budget decisions, Ever challenges Ever continues to support our students and families. The commitment that reflects our community
017as a a valuable place for an education to take place, and understanding the importance of investing in the very beginning of our children's journey. This is where everything starts, preschool. Moving towards a full day will give them more of a time to be with the teachers, to have the instruction, to enjoy school, and ascertain the skills that we've been striving for them to gain throughout the years. The half-day program has been wonderful, but this extension that you've now provided us is absolutely wonderful. I can't thank you enough for that. You have believed in our youngest learners, which I think is one of the most important things because we're the foundation where we start for everybody, and you're giving them the strongest possible start we could ask for. So, I can't thank you enough. Thank you
018very much. Thank you. And thanks, Mom, for coming tonight. We appreciate it. Her kids are both great. One has left us, and one is still with us. Yes. Thank you. We appreciate you leaving work early. Thank you. Mhm. Moving on, is there anyone that would like to speak in favor of the fiscal year 2027 budget? Is there anyone that would like to speak in favor of the fiscal year 2027 budget? Is there anyone that would like to speak in favor of the fiscal year 2027 budget? The in favor portion has been closed. Um now we would like to call on speakers that would like to speak against the fiscal year 2027 budget. I have no one on the sign-up sheet, so I will ask three times to the audience. Is there anyone that would like
019to speak against the fiscal year 2027 budget? Is there anyone that would like to speak against the fiscal year 2027 budget? Is there anyone that would like to speak against the fiscal year 2027 budget? And this portion has now closed. Could we entertain a motion to close the public hearing? >> hearing on item number one, Madam Chair. Second the motion. Motion has been made by Mayor Van Campen, seconded by Ms. Cornelio, to close the public hearing on the fiscal year 2027 budget. Roll call. Mr. Almeida Barros. Yes. Ms. Babcock. >> Yes. Ms. Cardello. >> Yes. Ms. Cornelio. >> Yes. Ms. Cristiano. Yes. Mr. D'Onofrio. Yes. Ms. Garen. Yes. Mr. LaMonica. >> Yes. Mayor Van Campen. >> Yes. Madam Chair. Yes. So moved, 10-0. So moved, 10-0. Madam Chair. Mr. Barros. I would like to make
020a motion to refer this item to our regular meeting which is going to happen on Monday, May 4th. Second. Discussed and voted by the committee. Motion has been made by Mr. Barros, seconded by Ms. Garen to refer this to refer, I'm sorry, the FY2027 budget to our regularly scheduled meeting for Monday, May 4th, 2026. Roll call. Mr. Almeida Barros. >> Yes. Ms. Babcock. >> Yes. Ms. Cardello. Yes. Ms. Cornelio. >> Yes. Ms. Cristiano. Yes. Mr. D'Onofrio. Yes. Ms. Garen. Yes. Mr. LaMonica. >> Yes. Mayor Van Campen. >> Yes. Madam Chair. Yes. So moved, 10-0. So moved, 10-0. Motion passed. Can't believe I just turned it off on myself. We have officially closed the public hearing for the subject of the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget. Uh Superintendent, the next order of business. Also Also under
021Roman numeral three of a public hearings, the Everett School Committee, in accordance with Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 76, Section 12B shall hold a public hearing on the subject of school choice on Tuesday, April the 28th, 2026, immediately following the public hearing on our proposed budget which we have just concluded. Make a motion to open the hearing on school choice. Second. Motion has been made by Ms. Babcock, seconded by Ms. Cardello to open the public hearing on school choice. Roll call. Mr. Almeida Barros. Yes. Ms. Babcock. Yes. Ms. Cardello. Yes. Ms. Cornelio. Yes. Ms. Cristiano. Yes. Mr. D'Onofrio. Yes. Ms. Garen. Yes. Mr. LaMonica. Yes. Mayor Van Campen. Yes. Madam Chair. Yes. So moved, 10-0. So moved, 10-0. The public hearing is now open for school choice. Um seeing no one in the sign-up sheet, I
022will call three times if anyone is here to speak in favor of school choice. Is there anyone to speak in favor of school choice? Is there anyone here to speak in favor of school choice? Is there anyone here to speak in favor of school choice? That portion has ended. I will now call on anyone speaking against school choice. Is there anyone that would like to speak against school choice? Is there anyone that would like to speak against school choice? Is there anyone that would like to speak against school choice? Move to close the public hearing on item number two. Second. Motion has been made and seconded to close the public hearing on school choice. Roll call. Mr. Almeida Barros. Yes. Ms. Babcock. >> Yes. Ms. Cardello. >> Yes. Ms. Cornelio. >> Yes. Ms. Cristiano. Yes.
023Mr. D'Onofrio. Yes. Ms. Garen. Yes. Mr. LaMonica. >> Yes. Mayor Van Campen. >> Yes. Madam Chair. Yes. [clears throat] So moved, 10-0. Motion passed. Madam Chair. Mr. Barros. >> I would also like to make a motion to refer, excuse me, this [clears throat] item to the regular school committee meeting scheduled for Monday, May 4th. >> Second. Motion has been made by Mr. Barros, seconded by Ms. Babcock, to refer the item of the subject of school choice to our Monday, May 4th meeting. Roll call. Mr. Almeida Barros. Yes. Ms. Babcock. >> Yes. Ms. Cardello. Yes. >> Ms. Cornelio. Yes. Ms. Cristiano. Yes. Mr. D'Onofrio. Yes. Ms. Garen. Yes. Mr. LaMonica. >> Yes. Mayor Van Campen. >> Yes. Madam Chair. Yes. So moved, 10-0. So moved, 10-0. The um public hearing on school choice has officially ended
024at 6:28 p.m. Superintendent, the next order of business. Roman numeral four, adjournment. Move uh motion to adjourn. Second. >> Second. Motion is made by Mr. Barros, seconded by Mr. LaMonica to adjourn. Roll call. Mr. Almeida Barros. Yes. Ms. Babcock. >> Yes. Ms. Cardello. >> Yes. Ms. Cornelia. Yes. Ms. Cristiano. Yes. Mr. Dinatale. Yes. Ms. Garen. Yes. Mr. LaMonica. Yes. Mayor Van Campen. >> Yes. Madam Chair. Yes. So moved, 10-0. >> So moved, 10-0. We have adjourned at 6:29 p.m. Thank you everyone. Have a good night. We will see you Monday, May 4th. Look at that. >> [music] [music]