Page 8 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MAy 15, 2026 RESOLUTION | FROM PAGE 1 Barrett to present Webster School Principal Devon Abruzzese and her team a House Resolution in honor of their school’s being named a 2025 ESEA Distinguished School. The resolution, which was adopted by the House of Representatives in session, recognizes the honor received by the school for their achievements in education, including their success with English Language Learners. ESEA stands for the national Elementary and Secondary Education Act. “I am beyond proud of all our schools in Everett but particularly the Webster School for their awesome achievement,” said McGonagle. “Principal Abruzzese and her team do a fantastic job educating all our students, but especially those who may require more time and attention. It was an honor to join them in celebrating this incredible feat.” The Webster School received this national recognition in the category of “shows excellence in serving special populations of students.” The Webster School has approximately 351 students, of which 72% speak a language other than English at home and 48% are English language learners. Their curriculum and model support English language learners through integrated skills across the core content areas in different spaces of the classroom and school environment. “The City of Everett is incredibly proud of the Webster School for earning national recognition as a 2025 ESEA Distinguished School,” said Mayor Van Campen. “In a community where nearly half of our students are English Language Learners, this award highlights the excellence and dedication of our staff, families, and the Everett School Committee. We congratulate Principal Abruzzese, Superintendent Hart, and the entire Webster community for ensuring that every student in Everett, regardless of the language they speak at home, has the opportunity to achieve greatness.” “My thanks to Rep. McGonagle for formally recognizing this prestigious honor with a State House citation and making it an official part of the Commonwealth’s history,” said Superintendent Hart. “Thanks, as well, to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for nominating the Webster School for a Distinguished School honor in recognition of the tremendous work they are doing to boost student achievement.” Webster School Principal Devon Abruzzese pictured with Webster School staff. (Courtesy photo) ENCORE | FROM PAGE 7 because the volume of use will increase. In effect, residents could be subsidizing the data center by having to cover the cost of more water being used citywide. The idea of using non-potable or non-drinkable water would, theoretically, have less effect because most of the water used by residents is potable. Even water in toilets is technically potable, as is water used for watering lawns. Masselink countered that new technologies use less water than older technologies but still require potable water. He also said the facility would be at the east end of the site near railroad tracks in the area to minimize noise pollution. Feasibility Study for High School In other items, the members referred to a proposal to borrow $2 million for a High School Feasibility Study Project for the state School Building Authority (MSBA) to the Subcommittee on Ways and Means. “The proposed borrowing will fund the feasibility phase required by the MSBA, allowing the City to hire an Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) and an architectural/design team,” reads a May 5 communication to the Council from Mayor Robert Van Campen. “This project is necessary to determine the most cost-effective, educationally appropriate, and sustainable longterm solution for addressing the City’s high school facility needs, including overcrowding, aging infrastructure, and programmatic deficiencies. Approval of this borrowing authorization will allow the City to proceed with the MSBA-mandated feasibility process, remain on schedule within the MSBA pipeline and secure the professional services required to advance the project to the next phase. These services will support the development and evaluation of multiple options for the future of Everett High School, including addition/renovation scenarios and a potential new-build option. This phase includes educational visioning, site and building assessments, cost modeling, and the preparation of all documentation required by MSBA.” Other business A proposal to borrow $1,326,928.00 for the Chelsea Street Park renovation project was referred to the Planning Board to discuss the design. In a January 26 letter to the Council, Van Campen wrote, “The original funding assumptions were based on construction being completed in 2024-25. This request is based on a revised budget included in construction documents prepared by the City’s landscape designer SLR, dated December 2, 2025.”
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