THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, FEbRuARy 6, 2026 Page 15 BEACON | FROM PAGE 14 co-sponsors of an earlier version of the legislation, and supporters of this new version, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them to comment on the amendment. Amendment opponents said that amendment supporters are using the term “unfunded mandate” loosely, acting as if the Legislature has never required cities and towns to do something that will save lives. They noted that existing fi re codes and food safety codes are “unfunded mandates” but they are important enough for the state to require communities to follow them. They also noted there are several nonprofit organizations, including the Preston Settles Memorial Fund (PSMF), that are helping and will continue to help cities and towns pay for the AEDs. PSMF was founded in memory of Preston Blair Settles, who passed away at just 15 years old due to a sudden cardiac arrest caused by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy while playing basketball. Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death among young athletes, representing nearly one-third of all athletic fi eld deaths in the U.S. (A “Yes” vote is for creating the Massachusetts AED Communities Fund to help cities and towns pay for AEDs. A “No” vote is against creating it.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle No LITERACY EDUCATION STANDARDS (S 2924) Senate 38-0, approved a bill that would require Massachusetts school districts to select kindergarten through 3rd grade reading curricula that meet guidelines set by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) based upon evidence-based literacy instruction and featuring phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and phonemic awareness. School districts would have until the start of the 2027-2028 school year to adopt a K-3 literacy curriculum that meets the new framework, or to secure approval from DESE for a waiver. The House has already approved its own version of the measure and the Senate version now goes to the House for consideration. A House-Senate conference committee will likely hammer out a compromise version of the legislation. Supporters said that schools would have three DESE-approved options to implement the new curriculum requirement: utilize a complete curriculum that is made available for free by DESE; use a curriculum from a list that meets evidence-based criteria; or receive a waiver authorizing the use of another curriculum that meets the same standards but had not been previously reviewed and approved by DESE. They noted that the bill makes sure parents and schools engage in constructive communication about student progress. They said it requires twice-yearly assessments to gauge every young learner’s reading progress and to screen for dyslexia and requires schools to contact a parent or guardian within 30 days if a student has fallen signifi cantly behind and propose a response if that is the case. “Today is a monumental moment for children across our state because we are passing my bill through the Senate to ensure all our students learn essential literacy skills,” said sponsor Sen. Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett). “We can all agree that teaching our kids to read and write is one of the most important skills we can instill in them, but far too many children in our schools are not meeting basic literacy benchmarks. Working with our teachers and administrators, this legislation will institute evidence-based curriculum to ensure all our students’ success in early literacy and give them the bright futures they deserve.” “It is unacceptable that less than half of young students in Massachusetts are profi cient in reading at their grade level,” said Sen. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), Senate Chair of the Committee on Education. “This important legislation ensures that educators use evidence-based early literacy curricula that are backed by science while leaving schools the option to decide what curriculum is best for their students and teachers. Strengthening student literacy through evidence-based instruction is a bipartisan issue with decades of scientifi c research backing it up. With the passage of this bill, the Massachusetts Senate continues its commitment to providing a high-quality education for all students across the commonwealth.” Although no senators voted against the bill, it was not without its critics. “Curriculum mandates are an oversimplified response to a complex problem,” Massachusetts Teachers President Max Page said. “There is no proof that such mandates yield sustained success in any of the states that have passed so-called literacy laws. Massachusetts has always been a leader in education, and we should not follow misguided national trends. Having more trained reading specialists in public schools, adequate funds for school libraries and trained library staff, and high-quality professional development for educators who are given the autonomy to engage in best practices — these are the keys to success, not scripted curriculum packages.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes BEACON | SEE PAGE 16 OBITUARY Anthony ‘Tony’ Pisapia O f Andover, formerly of Everett, passed away peacefully, sur - rounded by his loving family on Monday, February 2, 2026. He was 80 years of age. Born in Cava De’ Tirreni, Italy, Anthony lived in Everett for many years before settling in Andover. Anthony served proudly in the United States Army and was honorably discharged. He owned and operated a variety store in Everett for many years and later worked at Cambridge Isotope Laboratories in Andover, retiring after dedicating over 27 years of service to the company. Anthony was the dear son of the late Anna (Navarro) and Vincenzo Pisapia; the beloved husband of Joanne G. (Nawrocki) Pisapia; the dear and devoted father of Anthony V. Pisapia and his wife, Heather of Reading and Marcus R. Pisapia and his fi ancé, Diana Spiris of Milton; the cherished grandfather to four grandchildren-Hailey Cerasoli, Ava Pisapia, Anthony Pisapia and Sophie Spiris; the dear brother of Rose Marenghi of North Andover, Anna Pisapia of Lynnfi eld and the late Joseph Pisapia, Ferdinand “Fred” Pisapia and his surviving wife, Gail Pisapia. Tony is also survived by his former wife, Patricia (Parsons) Pis~ Home of the Week ~ CANTON 1st OH Sat 2/7, 12-2PM - 5 Trudy Terrace - Bring the whole family to this 10 room, 6 bedroom, 2 ½ bath single family located on a landscaped corner lot w/ sprinkler system, central air, oversized 1 car garage, built-in pool & ½ basketball court. Kitchen offers Granite counter tops & sliders to deck, dining area with custom built-in buffet & wine racks, livingroom w/surround sound, large lower-level family room and half bath - great for parties or just to hanging out. This home features 3 bedrooms and a full bath on the main floor & 3 bedrooms & full bath as part of the addition. Primary bedroom on the second floor offers a large walk-in closet. Newer Oil tank (2007), Furnace in 2009, 2nd floor C/A unit 2017, 1st floor C/A unit, air handler & duct work 2024, Pool pump and filter 2025. Whether you are entertaining inside or out this home does it all! Offered at $899,900 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com apia of Everett, many nieces, cousins and friends. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Anthony’s visiting hours in the Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home, 65 Clark St. (Corner of Main St.) EVERETT, Friday, February 6, 2026, from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. His funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Saturday at 11 a.m. Interment with U. S. Army Military Honors at the Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Parking with attendants on duty.
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