Local News in 7 Languages: Subscribe to The Advocate Online. Scan QR Code Vol. 32, No.12 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Free Every Friday D an Rizzo is Running for Mayor “I have a proven track record – and I can jump in on Day One” 781-286-8500 Friday, March 24, 2023 School Committee backs reorganization of Special Ed Dept. By Barbara Taormina S pecial Needs educators and administrators presented a plan to reorganize the Special Education department to the school committee this week. The committee unanimously voted to support the plan which involves hiring 14 more staff members to evaluate and meet the highly-complicated and individualized needs of special education students. According to Assistant SuperCOMMEMORATING CENTURY CITY: Back in 2015, three living mayors of the city are shown with City Clerk Ashley Melnik during the city’s Centennial Ceremony commemorating 100 years of the city form of government at city hall on Monday evening. The event was produced by Melnik and featured historical recitations by city and state offi cials. Shown from left to right, are; former mayor Tom Ambrosino, Melnik, then-mayor Dan Rizzo, and the late former mayor Bob Haas. (Revere Advocate fi le photo) By Barbara Taormina C ouncillor-At-Large Dan Rizzo has decided to join fellow City Councillors Gerry Visconti and Patrick Keefe in the upcoming race to be Revere’s next mayor. Rizzo, who served seven terms on the City Council and one term as mayor, will no doubt run on his record. In looking back over his term as mayor, he immediately recalled a surprise tornado that ripped through Revere late in July 2014. That storm followed on the heels of a merciless winter that dumped eight feet of snow on the city. He’s ready to go toe to toe with opponents on the city’s fi nancial health, among many other issues, and he believes that his experience of being able to take over on day one sets him apart from the others. Rizzo said his deep knowledge of municipal fi nance sets MAYOR | SEE Page 18 Candidate Keefe hosts St. Paddy’s Day Meet & Greet PROUD FAMILY: Probationary Firefi ghter Jonathan Bona was pinned by his son, Hunter, and his mother, Mary during the swearing in ceremonies in the Revere City Hall Council Chambers last Thursday. See pages 10-11 for photo highlights. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) intendent Richard Gallucci, who oversees special education, 18 percent of Revere's student population, or 1,476 students are in special education programs. The district hopes to hire an administrator, special education coordinators, teacher coaches and school psychologists to help evaluate and better meet the learning needs of students. The plan to reorganize special education is part of a natural progression that began with a surge of support and resources for English learners last year. School offi cials now hope to shift that eff ort to special education. Many of the ideas that went into the redesign of the program emerged during three community meetings with educators, parents, service providers and others invested in the program. Teachers who helped present SCHOOL | SEE Page 8 Fifteen firefighters pinned, promoted and sworn in Top O’ The Morning: Shown from left to right: Ward 4 City Councillor/Mayoral candidate Patrick Keefe, School Committee Member John Kingston and Daniel Maguire wished Keefe good luck in the mayoral race. See page 6 for photo highlights. (Advocate photo by Tara Vocino)
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