Page 2 NEXT SUPERINTENDENT | FROM Page 1 September. Members will discuss whether to hire a search fi rm and how to build a broader search committee that could include teachers, unions, parents, families, students and other community members. Vice Chair Jacqueline Monteroso said the ad hoc committee will provide regular updates to the full School Committee as the process moves forward. “Our intended timeline is, in this fi rst meeting, we want to discuss the composition of a larger search committee, so how we’re going to bring in the community, whether it’s unions, parents, families, other community members, students,” Monteroso said. The committee hopes to make a recommendation in September on whether to hire a search fi rm. If a fi rm is selected, members hope to have it in place by October and begin advertising the position around Thanksgiving, with candidate profi les potentially arriving after the winter break. Mayor Patrick Keefe urged the committee to take its time determining what it wants from the next superintendent while “WE’RE STILL HERE!” Since 1947 MALDEN AUTO BODY Book online: Maldenauto.com 49 Robin St., Everett, MA 617-389-3030 * Maldenab@yahoo.com Over 79 years of exceptional service! Massone Family Owned & Operated THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2026 avoiding unnecessary delays. “We want to make sure that we get it out there as quickly as possible, without being too rushed,” Keefe said. Keefe also recommended using an outside fi rm to help guide the process and encouraged all School Committee members to think long and carefully about the qualities and priorities they want in the district’s next leader. The search comes as current Superintendent Dr. Dianne Kelly prepares to leave the position. Kelly told the committee that identifying a successor by February or March would give the district valuable time for a transition before July 1, 2027. “This is a long and arduous process,” Kelly said. “I would encourage you to expedite as quickly as you can.” Kelly said a transition period could allow her to help the incoming superintendent understand the district’s operations, priorities and ongoing work before she leaves. The superintendent search was one of several major issues discussed during the Aug. 18 meeting, which also included a presentation on early literacy and an update on plans for a new mural at Beachmont School. Briana Tsoupas, Revere’s preK through third grade early literacy director and Title I director, presented an overview of the district’s eff orts to strengthen reading instruction and identify students who need additional support. Tsoupas said the district is working to connect classroom instruction, screening, intervention and progress monitoring so students can receive help earlier and educators can determine whether that support is eff ective. The district uses Collaborative Classroom as its core literacy curriculum and is continuing professional development focused on foundational skills, small-group instruction and consistent implementation across classrooms. Tsoupas also announced that Revere had been awarded 132 seats through Ignite Reading for first-grade students. The one-on-one tutoring program focuses on foundational reading skills and marks the district’s fi fth year partnering with Ignite. Committee members asked for additional data on the program, including how many students are reading at grade level and how many students receiving Tier 2 or more intensive intervention are making enough progress to eventually exit those supports. “Our focus has really been on creating a stronger, more connected system from what happens in the classroom every day to how we identify and support students who need something more,” Tsoupas said. The district is also pursuing a grant through the Nellie Mae Education Foundation with community partners to expand early literacy opportunities for children and families before students enter kindergarten. The committee later heard about a $4,000 Mass Cultural Council grant awarded to Beachmont School for a mural near the school’s entrance on Everard Street. Principal Chris Friesen and school psychologist Amanda Lockerbie said the mural, being developed with Boston-based artist Alex Cook, is expected to feature the words “You are loved” in multiple languages spoken by Beachmont families, including Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic, with Italian also being considered. Students could participate in the project through art classes, helping paint portions of the mural. The project is tentatively scheduled to begin in October. Ward 4 School Committee member Stephen Damiano Jr. supported the project but asked whether the mural could be expanded to cover additional sections of the school’s facade. School offi cials agreed to investigate the additional cost and report back to the committee at a later meeting. The committee also approved revisions to its student and employee handbooks. Changes included adding language from the district’s recently approved meal modifi cation policy concerning cultural, religious and ethnic food preferences. A correction was also made to the employee handbook’s progressive discipline section. The meeting began with a moment of silence for Yusuf Aguigad, a 10-year-old A.C. Whelan Elementary School student who recently died following an illness. Aguigad, who would have entered fi fth grade this fall, had previously been recognized at the school for demonstrating honesty and integrity. Kelly said the district would make grief counseling and other support services available to students as the new school year begins. With the superintendent search now underway, the School Committee is expected to return to the issue in September, when members will begin shaping the search process and determining how the broader Revere community will help defi ne the district’s next chapter.
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