Page 2 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2020 Mayor’s Listening Tour gets underway By Christopher Roberson L eaders from a number of social organizations throughout Everett recently endorsed Mayor Carlo DeMaria as he looks to become a voting member of the School Committee. “We need to have unification, give the mayor the vote,” said Jackie Coogan, treasurer of the Joint Committee for Children’s Health Care in Everett, during the virtual forum on November 18, which is part of DeMaria’s month-long Listening Tour. An Everett educator of 37 years, Coogan recalled that in 1984 teachers went on strike because Edward Connolly, the mayor at the time, would not release money for salary increases. Coogan said the disconnect between the city and the schools has persisted throughout the years. “It’s always been an error,” she said. Deborah Kneeland Keegan, executive director of the For Kids Only Afterschool Program, said that in her experience, mayors have been able to “leverage additional resources” for the schools. Therefore, she said, DeMaria should have a seat on the School Committee sooner rather than later. “We shouldn’t put this off much longer,” said Keegan. Antonio Amaya, executive director of La Comunidad, said DeMaria said 60 percent of the mayors in Massachusetts sit on the School Committee. Some of them include Mayor Joseph Curtatone of Somerville, Mayor Gary Christenson of Malden, Mayor Neil Perry of Methuen, Mayor Thomas Koch of Quincy and Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui of Cambridge. “I want to take the politics out of this; I’m trying to right a wrong,” said DeMaria. “People should know where the mayor stands when it comes to education.” He said there has also been Carlo DeMaria Mayor he supports having neutrality on the School Committee. “We need to embrace those kinds of changes,” he said. Cathy Viveiros, executive director of the Joint Committee for Children’s Health Care in Everett, said that while residents may not know all the members of the School Committee and the City Council, everyone knows the mayor. “You are the strongest link to the people in our community – you’re it,” she said, adding that DeMaria would significantly bolster the value of the School Committee. “I’ve seen it work in other communities.” some discussion about asking the voters if he should be on the School Committee. However, a Charter Commission would be needed before the question could be put on the ballot. “You’re talking like four to five years,” said DeMaria. Should he be appointed to the School Committee, DeMaria said he would want to revamp the district’s food service. “I think the food the kids eat is borderline terrible,” he said. DeMaria also said he looks forward to a continued partnership with Superintendent of Schools Priya Tahiliani. “I want to work with Priya. I hope she stays in Everett for 20 years and finishes her career here,” he said. DeMaria’s next Listening Tour event will be with the Everett Teachers Association at 5 p.m. on November 23. Priya and the Parlin Panther For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net Superintendent of Schools Priya Tahiliani bumps elbows with the Parlin Panther during a book drive at the Parlin School on November 17. The event was organized by the District of Equality, which was founded by Everett High School graduates Haley Peloquin and Jada Vaughan. (Photo Courtesy of the Everett Public Schools)
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