THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, SEpTEmbER 16, 2022 ~ Letter-to-the-Editor ~ Page 3 Stumbling blocks for proposed Pope John school site Dear Editor: I am writing regarding the proposal for the City of Everett to acquire the former Pope John XXIII High School and convert it to a public elementary school. As a parent with children in the school system and home owner in the neighborhood, there are some major stumbling blocks that need to be addressed, sooner rather than later. For example, the Mass. Department of Education (DoE) will have enormous say in how a new public school like this shall be redesigned, renovated, confi gured, outfi tted, staffed and operated. DoE mandates could add millions of dollars to the cost of the project. Has the Everett Superintendent of Schools or anyone in her offi ce taken a good, hard look at these costs and are they willing to share those estimates with the public? If not, why not? Similarly, has anyone in a position of authority in the Everett public schools faced up to ~ Letter-to-the-Editor ~ What’s next for Pope John? Dear Editor, There is a lot of talk about what the future should hold for the Pope John site. Although I no longer serve on the City Council, I am still a resident that cares deeply about the City of Everett. The City purchased the building with the intent of converting it into affordable housing units for seniors and veterans. With well over 600 applicants for the 77 units at St. Therese, the need for more units that our seniors and veterans can afford is clear. Costs continue to rise and the struggle to afford a place to call home continues to grow. At the same time, our schools are overcrowded and our students need space. Ideally, building a new high school and converting the existing one into a junior high school would alleviate the overcrowding in our schools. However, that plan would take time and not help in the interim. Many have called on the City to renovate Pope John and keep it a school. At the same time, funds are being sought to place modular classrooms at the Keverian School and other work is being done in the district to repurpose areas into classrooms. The need for space is real. The City and School Department need to work together and establish a long-term plan as they continue to play catch-up and place expensive band-aids on the issue of overcrowding. The Mayor has stated that there are other alternative locations that could be used and renovated, such as the LETTER | SEE PAGE 8 Put Your Money To Work! 3.00% APY* 24-Month Certificate Earn More at Mass Bay! Only $500 Minimum IRA Certificates, Too! Visit us in Everett at 183 Main Street or stop by any branch. the fact that a number of private homes in the Pope John neighborhood may have to be acquired by eminent domain and razed to provide parking for administrators, teachers and support staff , as well as safe vehicular access to this repurposed facility? School leaders need to level with the neighbors about property takings. Would School Superintendent Tahiliani give up her $3 million dollar plus home in Brookline for a school in her neighborhood? As far as I can tell, no one who favors this proposal has been willing to talk publicly about the impacts of a new, fully enrolled elementary school on the intersection of Broadway and Lynn Street, already one of the busiest, most congested locations in the city. There could be a “Nightmare on Broadway” twice a day during student drop-off and pick-up periods unless extensive (and expensive) traffi c mitigation measures were taken. Where will the money for that come from? These are just a few of the big questions that need answering before this proposal goes one step farther. Worried citizens of Everett, feel free to add to this list. Thank you. Signed, Name withheld due to fear of retaliation massbaycu.org *APY = Annual Percentage Yield. Minimum balance to open and earn APY is $500. Maximum deposit $250,000. The APY for all Certificates assumes the dividends will remain in the account until maturity. Withdrawal of dividends prior to maturity will reduce earnings. Certificates are subject to penalty for early withdrawal. Fees may reduce earnings. Rate is effective September 13, 2022. This is a limited time offer and is subject to change without notice. Other rates and terms available. Subject to membership eligibility, see our website for details.
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