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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 Page 21 Polito announces awarding of $3.5M for local technology infrastructure L ieutenant Governor Karyn Polito recently announced $3.5 million in grants to 70 municipalities through the Community Compact Cabinet’s Information Technology grant program. The Baker-Polito Administration has now issued 749 grants through this program worth $19.2 million to help Massachusetts communities become more efficient and innovative while improving their technology infrastructure. “Technology systems support so many of the critical services that Massachusetts cities, towns and school districts provide to residents,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are proud that our Administration, through the work of the Community Compact Cabinet, is continuing its partnership with local communities to enable another round of innovative IT improvement projects.” “Since the beginning of the grant program, our collaboration with cities and towns across the Commonwealth has led to hundreds of transformative technology investments, from public safety systems upgrades to establishing online permitting,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “As the Chair of the Community Compact Cabinet, I am pleased to announce and congratulate the 70 municipalities receiving awards 2021 | FROM PAGE 19 the Massachusetts General Laws states: “No increase or reduction in such salaries shall take effect during the year in which such increase or reduction is voted, and no change in such ordinance shall be made between the election of a new council or other legislative body and the qualification of the new council or other legislative body.” “It is an unethical attempt to circumvent the wishes of the voters of Everett,” said Cristiano. “You’re undermining the voters of Everett who spoke loud and clear on November 2.” Ward 2 School Committee Member-Elect Jason Marcus was also opposed to any action by the committee. “I was taken by surprise – it looks like you’re hiding something,” he said. “I’m totally against this.” Ward 6 School Committee Member-Elect Michael McLaughlin said if favorable action was taken, the new committee would not have a say in Tahiliani’s contract going forward. “I urge this body to reject these items,” he said. in this year’s round of grants.” “We are proud to continue supporting a wide range of impactful IT initiatives that will undoubtedly improve the efficiency and reliability of government services,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Michael Heffernan. “We appreciate the continued commitment and partnership of our local community leaders in identifying and undertaking these projects to better serve their businesses, residents, and visitors.” "The Baker-Polito Administration has long recognized the importance of modernizing the Commonwealth’s IT and cybersecurity infrastructure, as well as improving the constituent digital experience,” said Technology and Security Secretary Curtis Wood. “Now, more than ever, it is essential that municipalities are able to deliver the critical services that government provides through a secure digital environment.” The application period for the new Municipal Fiber Grant program will run from March 15 to April 15, 2022. This competitive grant program through the Community Compact Cabinet is designed to support closing critical gaps that exist in municipal networks, which allows for the central management of IT In response, Murray, who was also chairwoman of the Ad Hoc Superintendent Subcommittee, said she understood the frustration expressed by the incoming members. “The new superintendent was not chosen by the sitting committee,” she said. “It’s my understanding that these things roll out on their own timeline.” In addition, Murray said Tahiliani received an “overall proficient” rating when the committee evaluated her job performance. She also said it would be very challenging to find a new superintendent. “Right now, the field of superintendents is very sparse,” said Murray. “Many superintendents are quitting and they’re quitting in droves. The job is very difficult.” School Committee Chairman Frank Parker said the Ad Hoc Superintendent Subcommittee had been meeting for more than a year to discuss Tahiliani’s evaluation, which then led to the proposed contract changes. “This is part of an ongoing process,” he said. In a rare 5-5 decision, the School Committee voted, infrastructure, improves cybersecurity and can provide overall network cost savings. About the Community Compact Cabinet Formed in January 2015, the Community Compact Cabinet is chaired by Polito and is composed of the Massachusetts Secretaries of Housing and Economic Development, Education, Transportation, Energy and Environmental Affairs, and Technology Services and Security, along with the Senior Deputy Commissioner of Local Services and the Assistant Secretary of Operational Services. The Community Compact Cabinet elevates the Administration’s partnerships with cities and towns, and it allows the Governor’s Office to work more closely with leaders from all municipalities. The Cabinet champions municipal interests across all executive secretariats and agencies and it develops, in consultation with cities and towns, mutual standards and best practices for both the Commonwealth and municipalities. The creation of Community Compacts creates clear standards, expectations and accountability for both partners. Breakthrough case review finds 97 percent of COVID-19 cases in vaccinated individuals don’t result in severe illness O n December 20, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) released a review of breakthrough COVID-19 cases in vaccinated Massachusetts residents and found nearly 97 percent of all breakthrough cases in the Commonwealth have not resulted in hospitalization or death. Additionally, the review found unvaccinated residents are five times more likely to become infected than fully vaccinated residents (two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or one dose of Johnson & Johnson) and unvaccinated residents are 31 times more likely to become infected than fully vaccinated residents who have received a booster. on December 20, not to extend Tahiliani’s contract. Had it passed, the proposal would have moved the contract’s ending date from February 28, 2024, to June 30, 2025. Prior to the vote, School Committee Vice Chairman Thomas Abruzzese spoke in favor of extending the contract. He also reminded his colleagues about how Tahiliani arrived in Everett three months prior to her original start date. “Superintendent Tahiliani did something that I don’t think people remember,” said Abruzzese. “We were looking to have the superintendent begin in June of 2020. Superintendent Tahiliani made herself available in March of 2020.” The COVID-19 pandemic struck just nine days after Tahiliani took the helm. “Try to think back as to what kind of situation there would’ve been if we had not had our new superintendent in place,” said Abruzzese. “If Priya Tahiliani is the legacy I’m leaving behind, that’s just fine with me.” Murray said a contract ending in February would be detrimental to the students. “EduThe review also found that 99.9 percent of breakthrough cases among fully vaccinated people under the age of 60 did not result in death. Among the breakthrough cases for residents over the age of 60, 97 percent did not result in death. No deaths have been reported in breakthrough cases among those under age 30. “The data are clear. This review shows that fully vaccinated people in Massachusetts have near-universal protection from severe illness and death and that boosters are demonstrating even stronger protection from COVID,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “Amid the seacators don’t leave their posts in the middle of the school year,” she said. “It’s never a good idea to have kids with an interim. Stability and permanency is really what makes kids thrive.” In a follow-up interview, School Committee Memberat-Large Millie Cardello said the Everett Teachers Association (ETA) has been unable to agree on a new contract with its members. “I had to take that into serious consideration,” she said. Therefore, Cardello said, she could not justify extending Tahiliani’s contract when teachers are still waiting for a new contract from the ETA. Ward 2 School Committee Member Joseph Lamonica said his colleagues who favored the contract extension maintained that Tahiliani had lost a year because of the pandemic. However, it was not enough of a reason for him to cast an affirmative vote. “We all lost a year,” said Lamonica. “Let’s just move forward.” Tahiliani’s contract took effect on March 1, 2020. At the time, it included an annual base salary of $205,000 as well as $1,500 for a computer to use at home, $75 per son of gathering indoors and the emerging Omicron variant, the time to get vaccinated and boosted is now. It is the best gift of protection for yourself and your loved ones.” “Vaccination continues to be the most effective tool we have against Omicron and all COVID-19 variants,” said Acting DPH Commissioner Margret Cooke. “The data indicates that fully vaccinated and boosted individuals are well protected from severe outcomes of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death and the Department of Public Health strongly urges all residents to get vaccinated and, when appropriate, get a booster.” month for a cell phone and $3,000 per year for travel expenses. The contract also included an annual annuity payment of $3,000 from the committee as well as 15 sick days per year, 20 vacation days and four personal days. Also during the meeting, Tahiliani addressed the rumors that continued to circulate about her leaving Everett. “When it comes to my intentions, there is no ambiguity,” she said. “I have no interest in leaving this district. I’m not looking for another job.” She also said the district has been a leader throughout the pandemic. “As a district, we have progressed at a time when others have stumbled and faltered,” said Tahiliani. Since becoming superintendent, she said, some of her accomplishments have been establishing Day 6 programs for students, summer programming and the Teacher Diversification pilot program as well as subsidized degree and certification programs. “I still believe that I am the best person to lead this district,” said Tahiliani. “I will stop at nothing for our students.”

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