EVT EVE ER T Vol. 34, No.15 -FREET www.advocatenews.net Your Local News & Sports Online! Scan & Subscribe! ADDOCCO TEAT Free Every Friday EHS Crimson Tide Spring Sports Action 617-387-2200 Friday, April 11, 2025 School Committee presents $142M FY26 School Budget at Public Hearing By Neil Zolot AND THE PITCH: Everett High starting pitcher Derek Soper rips the ball to a Rams batter during Tuesday’s action in Lynn. See story and EHS sports coverage starting on page 12. (Advocate photo by Emily Harney) F. J. LaRovere Insurance Agency, Inc. 492 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 617-387-9700 phone 617-387-9702 fax INSURANCE FOR AUTO, HOME, AND BUSINESS We offer very competitive rates, and by representing many different companies we can shop for the best price for our customers. Call us today! Open Monday – Friday 9am-5pm and Saturdays 9am-12pm Messinger Insurance Agency 475 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 617-387-2700 phone 617-387-7753 fax he current Fiscal Year 2026 school budget proposal is $142,154,420, a 4.9% increase over $135,510,702 for the current Fiscal Year 2025. A budget presentation given to the members at a Budget Subcommittee of the Whole meeting on Wednesday, April 3 characterizes it as a level service budget. Superintendent William Hart said it refl ects “values and instructional themes that support and relate to high academic standards that are inclusive and student centered. We’ll continue to provide the service we believe will support our children whether it’s in the classroom or extracurricular activities we off er.” “I believe the Fiscal 2026 budget refl ects the continued commitment for students… positive contract negotiations and responsible spending,” new School Committee chair and at-Large member Samantha Hurley said. Within that overall budT get, the Operating Budget is $136,940,205, up 4.61% from $130,910,702; $5,214,215 for Special Education transportation, up 13.35% from $4,600,000; and $35,771,530 in chargebacks to the City, up 9% from $32,749,540. Hart’s salary will be 247,200, up 3% from $240,000. School Committee compensation is $124,875, up 8.82% from $114,750. Chargebacks to the City cover things not included in Net School Spending, which is the amount a community is required to spend on education as designated by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which is the sum of Chapter 70 state aid and required local spending. Chapter 70 aid will be $126,865,323, up 7.45% from $118,072,876, leaving the City to cover, among other things, the School Department’s Health and Life Insurance ($16,211,877) and $19,559,653 in miscellaneous expenses of building insurance, upkeep of Everett Stadium, a police resource offi cer and Charter School tuitions. Ward 5 member Marcony Almeida-Barros pointed out that state aid numbers could rise if more money is forthcoming in the state budget. The April 3 presentation noted increasing fi xed costs and out-of-district Special Education costs as Contributing Factors Infl uencing the Budget. Other contributing factors are maintaining positions previously funded through aid during the pandemic and adSCHOOL BUDGET | SEE PAGE 5
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