Page 8 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MARCH 8, 2024 DISCUSSION | FROM PAGE 2 The long-term plan for Everett is to build a new High School at Rivergreen Park, complete with a vocational program, and presumably convert the current High School into a Middle School, but the funding, approval and building process could take years, if it happens at all. Last September 25, Councillor-at-Large Stephanie Smith noted, “I haven’t heard one person say they want modules.” She wondered if the vacant Pope John could be used instead. “I love the long-term plan. It’s the short-term plan I disagree with,” she said. September 11, in Public Participation, Margaret Cornelio said, “People don’t want the modules. They look terrible and will make our city look run down.” She now represents Ward 1 on the School Committee. “We need to start pursuing feasible ways to address overcrowding,” she said on February 27. “We have to have a discussion to fi nd a concrete solution. A tangible solution is long overdue.” The members approved her suggestion to discuss the matter further at the March 18 meeting. “This has to be a collaborative conversation with the City Council,” Vice Chairperson Samantha Lambert feels. “I’ve asked the City Council to create a School Study Commission, not just address our needs now, but so we can look Law Offices of JOSEPH D. CATALDO, P.C. “ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW” • ESTATE/MEDICAID PLANNING • WILLS/TRUSTS/ESTATES • INCOME TAX PREPARATION • WEALTH MANAGEMENT • RETIREMENT PLANNING • ELDER LAW 369 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 (617)381-9600 JOSEPH D. CATALDO, CPA, CFP, MST, ESQUIRE. AICPA Personal Financial Specialist Designee ahead for funding opportunities. The School Committee and administration don’t control capital. The City Council and administration does.” “This is a great time to start collaborating to address this worsening situation,” Hurley agreed. “Every school sees a probability of more students coming in.” In other matters, the projected Fiscal Year 2025 tuition for 15 Everett students of the SEEM Collaborative in Stoneham is $1,501,160. That is $51,120 (3.52%) higher than the Fiscal Year 2024 tuition of $1,450,440. SEEM uses public funds to educate students who can’t be educated in their home district because the support they need isn’t offered. Although not used as a name anymore, SEEM originally stood for Special Education of Education Mutual. It has 11 member communities, which are Lynnfi eld, Melrose, North Andover, North Reading, Reading, Saugus, Stoneham, Wilmington, Winchester and Woburn. Programs are off ered at schools in Lynnfi eld, Melrose, Stoneham, Wakefield and Wilmington. There are also 48 non-member communities, including Chelsea, Malden and Revere along with Everett. The total projected Fiscal Year 2025 Budget is $36,801,722, up $899,949 (2.51%) from $35,901,773 in Fiscal 2024. Tuition will comprise 62.76% of SEEM’s revenue. Member community tuitions will total $4,409, 280 (12%), while non-member community tuitions are $18,687,200 (51%). “In accordance with the SEEM mission, the budget reflects the goals to exercise fi scal responsibility to minimize expenses while maximizing services and exist as a viable option to school districts by attracting and retaining qualifi ed staff while off ering competitive salary and benefits,” reads their Fiscal 2025 Budget Highlights report. Both the Fiscal Year 2024 and 2025 budget are balanced, with revenue equaling expenses, dovetailing with the goal to “use methodology to determine tuition and fee for service rates based on determining projected expenses and projected enrollment and then establishing tuition and fees at a level that will generate enough revenue to cover projected expenses.” In Fiscal 2023 $32,958, 931 in revenue exceeded $32,731,346 in expenses.
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