EV RETEVT V E ER T Vol. 35, No.18 -FREET www.advocatenews.net Your Local News & Sports Online! Scan & Subscribe! ADDOCCO TEAT Free Every Friday School Committee unanimously approves $146M FY27 budget proposal; no School Choice participation By Neil Zolot he School Committee approved a budget proposal of $146,025,399 for Fiscal Year 2027 proposed by Superintendent William Hart by a vote of 9-0 at their meeting on Monday, May 4, with Ward 6 member Joseph D’Onofrio absent. It was preapproved 10-0 by a meeting of the School Committee Subcommittee of the Whole on Thursday, April 16. The budget is comprised of an operating budget of $139,290,473 and a Special Education and Transportation Budget of $6,104,526, which is contributed by the City of Everett and falls outside the net spending requirement of the City required by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The new budget is 2.28% higher than the Fiscal Year T William Hart EPS Superintendent 2026 budget of $142,154,420. Superintendent William Hart described the increase as “a modest number that must hold up against rising fi xed costs.” Nevertheless, it will be the largest portion of the overall city budget, which Mayor Robert Van Campen will present to the City Council next week. The Fiscal Year 2026 budget was 47.4% of the City Fiscal Year 2026 budget of $299,719,104. The new budget also includes $36,000,000 in chargebacks from the City, a cap set by Van Campen. The City pays for some things not included in Net School Spending or the school budget but then imposes a charge or chargeback on the School Department to cover those items. In Fiscal Year 2026 it was $35,771,530, with initial estimates for Fiscal Year 2027 at close to $41 million. The cap means the City will pay for everything over $36,000,000. “I want to commend the Mayor for that,” Ward 5 member Marcony Almeida-Barros said. The members also took their customary vote to not participate in School Choice, which would allow the school FY27 BUDGET | SEE PAGE 9 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 617-387-2200 Friday, May 8, 2026 Everett Little League Opening Day PLAY BALL: Mayor Robert Van Campen is shown throwing out the ceremonial fi rst pitch during Everett Little League Opening Day at Sacramone Park on Saturday. See inside for photo highlights. (Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) EPS Holds First Strategic Planning Meeting Special to Th e Advocate he Everett Public School’s Strategic Planning effort began in earnest on Thursday, April 30, 2026, as 66 stakeholders gathered for the fi rst of three formal meetings conT vened by Superintendent William D. Hart. “I stand here tonight knowing that we need to transform this district in order to meet the demands of 2026 and beyond,” STRATEGIC PLAN | SEE PAGE 6 School Leader Alex Naumann is shown speaking with Mayor Robert Van Campen during the First Strategic Planning meeting on April 30th at Everett High School. (Courtesy photo EPS)
2 Publizr Home