THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2026 Page 3 Revere School Committee Approves $164.3M Budget Amid Enrollment Decline By Barbara Taormina T he School Commit - tee approved a balanced $164,257,800 budget at their meeting this week. It has been a long and diffi - cult budget season for the committee, which started working on the numbers in January. The committee began with a $9.1million defi cit, due primarily to a decrease in enrollment. The Revere student population has declined by 323 students this year, which triggers a $6 million cut in state fi nancial support. The committee voted to use $2.6 million from the district’s reserve fund. Committee members acknowledged that they need to track spending carefully because they anticipate new costs next year with the new high school and the McKinley Early Education Center. The committee voted on spending divided into series of what District Business Manager Matthew Kruse called cost centers. The fi rst was administration. The committee approved spending $3,488,928 on administrative costs. Instructional services, the biggest piece of the budget, was approved at $86,189,104. The committee voted to approve $12,850,363 for other student services. The plant and operations budget was approved at $10,525,512. The committee approved $2,228,938 for insurance and benefi ts and $103,000 for capital investments. Out of district tuition was approved at $17,558,739. Committee Chair Jacqueline Monterroso took a moment to sum up the work on the budget. She compared Revere to other districts, noting the city was one of the few not grappling with defi cits and layoff s. She mentioned that Boston was facing hundreds of layoff s. “When you break it down, we have less than 25 layoff s here,” she said. She also noted that many teachers had voiced their concerns and had been part of the process. But Revere Teachers Association President Jane Chapin disagreed. “Teachers feel their voices have been absent from budget discussions and decisions,” said Chapin. “Our class sizes are too high, our caseloads too large and there is too much deferred maintenance. There are far too many cuts to critical services, especially special education.” Chapin said that while cutting game-changing services for students, the district is maintaining a position for a public relations specialist. She asked the committee to choose the students when deciding the budget. But Anthony Caggiano, who serves as the district’s treasurer, said that despite the 25 layoff s, Revere is managing well. “When we compare ourselves with all the surrounding cities and towns, we’re in a lot better shape.” ANNOUNCES | FROM Page 2 taxpayers and disabled water ratepayers who are having trouble paying their real estate taxes and water and sewer bills because of fi nancial hardship. “This program, funded by the generosity of Revere residents looking to extend a helping hand to those in need, is aimed at helping senior citizens and fi nancially vulnerable individuals,” said Mayor Keefe. “This program will provide some welcome relief for those who meet the criteria.” The Elderly & Disabled Tax Relief Program has been in existence for several years. In order to qualify for the program, the taxpayer must be an owner-occupied resident of Revere and meet the following additional requirements to be eligible: 65 years of age or disabled as of July 1 of the Fiscal Year; be current with all real estate taxes, have income of no more than $30,000 per year if single or combined $50,000 per year for joint property Announces | SEE Page 4 Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at:WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
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