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Page 10 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 2020 | FROM PAGE 9 time being. “Our COVID-19 volume has slowed, but we remain cautious as we are still taking care of COVID-positive patients,” said CHA Everett spokesperson David Cecere. However, he said the hospital was not about to let its guard down. “We remain cautiously optimistic but realize that pandemics come in waves,” said Cecere. “We are continuing our emergency preparedness activities for a potential surge in the summer or fall. We encourage people to continue using masks and socially distance where possible to further eliminate progression and transmission of the virus.” Dr. Anthony Weiss of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center said there were 130 patients in the ICU at the apex of the COVID-19 surge, twice the usual number of ICU patients. However, he said that number rapidly declined in the weeks that followed. “The number of discharges is outpacing the number of admissions,” he said. “The peak of the surge is behind us.” Yet, Weiss said a second surge was possible in the coming months. “We’re not out of the woods yet,” he said. “By no means is this totally over.” Remote learning All things considered, the Everett Public Schools Distance Learning Program was working well since the living room became the classroom three months earlier. “In my opinion the Distance Learning Program is going better than expected,” said School Committee Chairman Thomas Abruzzese. “Understand, our entire school community was thrown a gigantic curve ball in the form of the coronavirus.” Ward 4 School Committee Member Dana Murray said that when COVID-19 surfaced the district was already in the midst of “monumental changes” as the committee had just hired a superintendent for the fi rst time in 30 years. “Personally, I am proud of the Everett Public Schools’ faculty and staff for their hundreds of hours of dedication to our community during this incredibly diffi cult time,” she said. School Committee Member-at-Large Samantha Lambert said that with the onset of the pandemic everything happened so quickly that it was impossible for anyone to have all the answers. “The thing we have to keep in mind is this was not a one-size-fi ts-all solution,” she said. Yet, Lambert said she was pleased with what Everett’s teachers had accomplished after being forced out of their classrooms by a microscopic virus. “Our educators were incredible and continue to be; we dove in and got it done, and we saw the community come together for our students,” she said. “I think we can take a step back and really be proud of what we were able to do.” July After being closed for nearly half a year, Encore Boston Harbor was fi nally given the green light to reopen and came roaring back on July 12. From that date through July 31, Encore generated a gross gaming revenue (GGR) of $26.9 million. Within that fi gure, $10.7 million was made on blackjack and the remaining $16.2 million came from the slot machines. In a distant second was MGM Springfi eld, which had a GGR of $10.7 million, followed by Plainridge Park Casino, which reported a GGR of $7.7 million. The three casinos combined for a total GGR of $45.3 million for the month of July. Back to School Steering Committee With guidance from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Superintendent of Schools Priya Tahiliani announced the formation of the Back to School Steering Committee harnessed with the awesome task of reopening the Everett Public Schools. “We are ready for the challenge and we can’t wait for the moment when our students walk back through our doors and into our classrooms,” she said. Tahiliani was joined on the committee by Deputy Superintendent Kim Tsai, Assistant Superintendents Charles Obremski and Kevin Shaw, Maintenance Director Steven Bond, School Committee Members Samantha Lambert and Dana Murray, English Learner Director Anne Auger, Special Education Director William Donahue, Everett Teachers Association President Kim Auger, Executive Associate Adeline Celestin, Everett Communications Director Deanna Deveney, Public Health Nurse Sabrina Firicano and Councillors Stephanie Martins and Fred Capone. “I look forward to taking this opportunity to really acknowledge everyone’s concerns and bring a unique perspective to the committee representing the diverse voices of our community,” said Martins. “Safety, accessibility and the emotional well-being of our students are defi nitely some of our key priorities.” Capone said he was honored to be part of such a colossal effort. “Given the current circumstances, addressing the upcoming academic year will prove Danielle Ricci poked out of the sunroof of her vehicle as she waited to graduate. very challenging,” he said. “I commend Superintendent Tahiliani for her dedication and creativity in employing a steering committee to address these diffi cult issues in an inclusive manner.” Murray also said she was ready to embrace the challenge. “I am committed to creating the best experience that is safely possible for the students and staff in this coming year,” she said. Although in-person teaching and learning was the preferred model, Murray said, a myriad of factors had to be considered “with new information coming daily regarding forced shutdowns as outbreaks occur and the World Health Organization confi rming new studies regarding aerosol transmission.” Looking ahead to September, Tahiliani underscored her commitment to the district. “The safety and well-being of our students and staff is at the heart of everything we’re doing; our district will meet or exceed every DESE recommendation related to the health of our community,” she said. “The COVID-19 crisis can’t detract us from the critical objective of eliminating achievement gaps.” August As COVID-19 mounted its second assault, Mayor Carlo DeMaria issued an executive order making face masks mandatory throughout the city. “The health, safety and wellbeing of those who reside in the city of Everett has always been and will remain to be paramount under my administration,” he said. “I’m hopeful that the implementation of this order will drive our numbers back down to where they were a month ago. The intent is not to give out fi nes, but rather have those gathering in large groups wear face coverings to stop the spread.” A facial covering advisory had been in eff ect since April; however, it was now a requirement. Ward 1 Councillor Fred Capone said he had observed 50 (Advocate photo by Katy Rogers) to 60 percent of residents either not wearing masks or wearing them incorrectly. “I think a lot of people have dropped their guard thinking that we’re through this,” he said. “We’re far from through this. This is a very potent virus – we need to wear masks.” DeMaria said anyone found in violation of the order would be subject to a fi ne of up to $300. “As we continue to grapple with the spread of the coronavirus, the response to mitigate the current pandemic and fl atten the curve has to be more vigorous,” he said. “We must all understand the seriousness of the virus and work with one another as we get through this period of time together.” School budget The School Committee, during its August 24 meeting, voted unanimously to pass its $88.2 million budget for fiscal year 2021. Charles Obremski, assistant superintendent of business aff airs, said the operating budget of $84 million represented an increase of $748,145 over last year. In addition, the $4.2 million allocation for special education transportation is down $300,000 from fi scal year 2020. Obremski said the city made a net minimum contribution of $35.4 million and that the district received $75 million from the state in Chapter 70 funding. However, he said the Chapter 70 allocation was reduced by $7.3 million because of expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, Obremski said City Hall chargebacks were estimated at $26.6 million. School Committee Vice Chairman Frank Parker said the district was bracing for a budget cut of at least $5.8 million. “It could’ve been a lot worse,” he said, adding that drastic layoff s will no longer be necessary. “We can bring most of the people back that we let go.” Superintendent of Schools Priya Tahiliani thanked State Senator Sal DiDomenico and State Representative Joseph McGonagle for squeezing more money out of Beacon Hill. “If it were not for our legislators, we would be in a much more diffi cult situation fi nancially,” she said. “We were preparing for much greater cuts.” First day of school Tahiliani said she and her colleagues were “laser focused” on the remote start of school scheduled for September 15. She said the district would have 2,500 Wi-Fi hotspots available as well as 1,000 iPads, 3,000 Chromebooks and 4,000 headsets. “We want our students, staff and families to have guardrails to lean on,” said Tahiliani. In addition, she said iReady and Edmentum would be used to conduct online assessments to determine how much material students retained since the schools abruptly closed. “Students have not received in-person instruction since March,” said Tahiliani. She also said 700 laptops would be available for teachers as well as 1,000 business level Zoom licenses. Tahiliani assured the School Committee that a number of contingency plans would be in place in the event that changes become necessary because of the virus. “We will not be deterred by the uncertainties of COVID-19,” said Tahiliani. School Committee Memberat-Large Samantha Lambert said the budget process and upcoming school year could only be described as “unconventional.” “We are focused on being careful, proactive and strategic so as to remain fl exible and prepared for our students,” she said. Ward 5 School Committee Member Marcony Almeida-Barros was extremely impressed with how Tahiliani intended to execute the Reopening Plan. “This is just incredible – thank God you are the superintendent,” he said. September In the September 1 Primary Election, State Representative Joseph McGonagle easily thwarted a challenge from Ward 6 Councillor Michael McLaughlin to earn a fourth term on Beacon Hill. According to the results, McGonagle took 57 percent of the vote to McLaughlin’s 36 percent. After the election, McGonagle took to social media to express his gratitude. “Everett, thank you for trusting me with your vote tonight. I am beyond grateful to have received your overwhelming support in this primary,” he said. “It is an honor to continue serving as your state representa2020 | SEE PAGE 14

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