THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JAnuARy 26, 2024 Page 7 VOTES AGAINST | FROM PAGE 1 2) along with vice-chairman and At-Large member Samantha Lambert. Ward 5 member Maroney Almeida-Barros was absent. Cornelio felt her vote was “in the best direction” for the schools and had “nothing to do with not liking one or the other” between Hart and Tahiliani. Layers of complexity may render the vote moot. Tahiliani was placed on paid administrative leave October 30 following allegations of misconduct made by ten people, which were submitted to the city’s Human Resources Department, as opposed to being handled through the School Department and not made public, in part to protect the privacy of everyone involved. “The previous School Committee didn’t know the allegations before putting her on paid administrative leave,” Babcock pointed out. She also asked, “Why would the Human Resources department at City Hall redirect complaints to the union or School Dept. Human Resources Department?” The School Committee, which had already decided not to renew her contract which expires February 29 and was conducting a search for a successor, placed her on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. If she’s exonerated, she could return to work. “If we bring her back, what do we do with Hart”? Cornelio wanted to know. “Garren feels Tahiliani “has a right to finish out her term.” Cristiano pointed out “if her paid leave was to be terminated, we’d need to give her and Hart instructions as to how the schools were to be operated.” Hart was appointed Interim Superintendent and a search for a permanent superintendent, yielded a four-year contract for him. The other finalist, Kimberly Fricker had worked in California and was interviewed in a video-conference from Michigan where her father lives. An election intervened in early November in which five new members were elected, but their terms didn’t start until this year, leaving the existing, lame duck board to hire a Superintendent, giving Everett two of them to pay. “Tahiliani is receiving all the benefits she would as if she was working,” School Committee attorney Robert Galvin noted. In the meantime, she was an unsuccessful candidate for open supt. positions in Melrose and Natick. Thus, Babcock and Garren submitted the item for a “discussion and potential vote on the status of paid administrative leave for Tahiliani.” In Public Participation, comments were equally divided between those in favor of reinstating Tahiliani and those against it. Everett Teachers Association President Kimberly Auger and teacher Nelda O’Neill spoke in favor of keeping Hart, while Janice Lark and Nelda O’Neill spoke in favor of bringing Tahiliani back. “Bring her back for a few months, for what?” O’Neill asked. “To upset the applecart of what the Superintendent is doing?” In other action, the members directed Hart to ask union officials and public safety officials if the schools might remain open on Primary Election Day, Tuesday, March 5. He pointed out, given many schools are polling places, it is customary to close schools Election Day to avoid traffic hazards. Babcock, Hurley and Lambert reported they had been contacted by teachers that closing the High School, which is not used for voting, would eliminate a day for MCAS prep for students. “Can we close K-8 only?” Lambert asked. “I don’t think we can split that,” Hart answered before the matter was tabled pending his inquiries. Lambert also asked Hart to report about any loss of funds or grants due to mid-Fiscal Year 2024 cuts in the state budget made by Governor Maura Healey. “We have not seen anything directed at us,” Hart answered, referring to school aid not being cut. “Unless there are additional cuts, we have not been impacted.” Lambert also requested “a financial snapshot” be given to the new members through an audit. Finally, Hurley was elected representative to the Shore Educational Collaborative in Chelsea. Free tax prep at the Connolly Center income-eligible residents are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity M ayor Carlo DeMaria and the Council on Aging (COA) are pleased to announce that the City of Everett has partnered with Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. (ABCD) for free tax preparation services for those who are income eligible. Tax preparation takes place every Thursday at the Connolly Center (90 Chelsea St.) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. by appointment only. If you earned less than $64,000 in 2023 and meet the requirements, you might be eligible for this program. You must first schedule an appointment with ABCD by calling 781-321-2501. Before scheduling an appointment, please make sure you gather and are able to bring with you all of the following items that are applicable: • Valid Government Issued Photo ID • Social Security card or Individual Taxpayer ID Letter (ITIN) for you, your dependents and/ or your spouse • All 1099 forms – 1099G (unemployment), 1099R (pension payments), 1099INT (bank interest), 1099SSA (Social Security), 1099 NEU • All W2 forms from all jobs for 2023 • Proof of health insurance (health insurance cards, 1099HC, 1095-A, etc.) for taxpayer, spouse and all dependents (Taxpayers who have received or expect to receive health insurance credits need to bring proof of all household income.) • Total child care expenses in 2023 and child care provider’s name, address and Employer Identification Number (EIN) or SSN • All 1098T forms (tuition payments), receipts for materials and books and bursar statement • Total student loan interest paid (1098E) • A copy of last year’s tax return • Bank-issued printed account and routing numbers for direct deposit of your tax refund (for both checking and savings account) • Proof of any deductible out of pocket expenses (annual BWSC, 1098E, charitable receipts, etc.) • Any mail from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) • Any mail from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) This year’s tax deadline is Monday, April 15, so it is recommended for residents to not wait. For additional information, please contact the Connolly Center at 617-3942323. 15 Month High Yield Certificate of Deposit 5.35 Visit us at www.mitfcu.org or call (781) 423-2022 For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net % APY1 $500 Minimum Deposit required. 1 APY=Annual Percentage Yield. Share Certificate APY assumes dividends are retained in the Certificate; there may be a penalty for early withdrawal. Other terms and conditions apply. Rates are accurate as of the current date. Rates are subject to change without notice. Please consult a Representative for complete savings information.
8 Publizr Home