THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JunE 19, 2020 Page 13 City hosts drive-in movie night at Rivergreen Park Everett Health and Wellness Coordinator Rana Wehbe. Carmen Mercado is shown with Gabrielia and Duronne Wiltshire and Frankie McAskill. Stephanie Abbott and Sam Mars Gina Rupakheti is with her daughter Ella at the Rivergreen Park parking lot for the June 12 showing of the 1982 film E.T. the ExtraTerrestrial. (Photos Courtesy of the City of Everett) Evan Countie enjoying himself during drive-in the movie night. Dayeli Garcia is shown with Vanessa Carcamo, Sheryln Rodriguez and Samantha Perkins. Chris Bailey and Cathi Connors. BUDGET | FROM PAGE 1 Then the world changed. “At this point, we know that’s not going to be our real budget,” said Obremski. A $5.8 million reduction would bring the operating budget to approximately $86.2 million. Should the initial reduction be insufficient, the next level of cuts would be $11.7 million followed by $17.6 million. “The numbers are staggering; 75 percent of our budget is salaries,” said Obremski, adding that layoffs would be imminent. “We don’t even know when we’re going to have a firm budget for next year.” Superintendent of Schools Priya Tahiliani said the district will be operating on a one-twelfth budget for up to four months starting in July. “Staff changes have been made as strategically as possible,” she said. “We are losing some amazing educators.” Ward 5 School Committee Member Marcony Almeida-Barros reminded everyone that Tahiliani is not from Everett. Therefore, none of her staffing decisions should be viewed as acts of favoritism. “You’re making decisions based on the needs,” he said. “The district needs help; the last thing we want to do is lay people off.” Ward 1 School Committee Member Allen Panarese said the virus has seriously damaged the job market. “There’s not a lot out of jobs out there, that’s what’s scary,” he said. School Committee Vice Chairman Frank Parker underscored the gravity of the situation, saying if initial reduction takes effect, 92 positions would be eliminated. “The COVID virus is going to be the worst thing to happen to public education since Proposition 2 1/2,” he said. “We are looking at potentially wiping out a generation of future leaders.” Parker also spoke about a recent webinar hosted by Jay Sullivan, associate commissioner of School Finance for the State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. He said one of Sullivan’s primary messages was to simply “stay tuned.” “Here we are, June 15, and we’re being told to stay tuned,” said Parker. School Committee Member-at-Large Samantha Lambert said she never expected the schools to be caught in such a predicament. “This is the last place I thought I’d be with the passing of the Student Opportunity Act,” she said.
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