SAUGUS AD Vol. 24, No. 8 -FREEBy Mark E. Vogler T he general fund and school operating budgets would increase by close to $4 million, according to the spending plans proposed by Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree for the 2022 Fiscal Year that begins July 1. The new operating budget for town government is $67.6-million – an increase of nearly $3.7 million over this year’s The Advocate–A household word in Saugus! OCDVOCATE CT www.advocatenews.net Published Every Friday Nearly a $4 million increase COVID-19 continues to impact the crafting of the town manager’s annual budget request Ready for Class $4 MILLION | SEE PAGE 2 budget; and the town manager’s proposed operating budget for Saugus Public Schools is about $29.9 million – $300,000 over the Fiscal Year 2021 budget approved by Town Meeting. Those are the preliminary operating budget estimates that Crabtree unveiled at last night’s Board of Selectmen’s meeting, as the budget process for the upcoming fi scal year offi cially kicked off . WELCOME BACK: Waybright Elementary School Principal Patricia Romano gave an elbow bump to third grader Liliana Fronduto. (Advocate Photo by Tara Vocino) By Tara Vocino S augus elementa r y school principals are excited to have students back for the fi rst time since March, as the first wave of students began returning yesterday on staggered schedules. Another wave of elemenProud mother Jennifer Dixon becomes emotional, as she wishes her son, Ryan, well on his fi rst day of third grade yesterday at Waybright Elementary School. (Saugus Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) tary school students was due to get their fi rst classroom experience today as Saugus Public Schools moved into the so-called Hybrid learning model – which allows two days of in-person learning a week, alternating with remote learning. Meanwhile, students in grades 6 through 12 are scheduled for their return to the classroom next Tuesday, March 2, at the Saugus Middle-High School complex. Saugus Public Schools Superintendent Dr. David DeRuosi, Jr. said in his Superintendent’s Special Report on Tuesday (Feb. 23) that “the ultimate goal is to bring all students back before the end of the School Year.” That may happen a lot sooner. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeff rey Riley told state Department of Education offi cials this week that he wants to see all elementary school students learning in person fi ve days a week by April. He also said he plans to seek authority to eliminate remote and hybrid learning as options for school districts. BACK IN SCHOOL | SEE PAGE 9 ANGELO’S FULL SERVICE Regular Unleaded $2.519 Mid Unleaded $2.579 Super $2.679 Diesel Fuel $2.819 "42 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2020 KERO $4.65 DEF $3.49 9 Diesel $2.349 9 HEATING OIL 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available by Pump! Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN AVE • SAUGUS • OPEN 7 DAYS The town manager cited the COVID-19 pandemic as having a signifi cant impact in the crafting of his proposed budget. “As you may recall, the local receipt estimates for Fiscal Year 2021 were reduced by 10 percent due to the pandemic and the local aid estimates were reduced by 16 percent as the Commonwealth did not fi - nalize their budget until De781-233-4446 Friday, February 26, 2021 Back in School! Saugus elementary school principals welcome the start of in-person learning in the classroom; grades 6-12 return next week Prices subject to change Spring is around the Corner! FLEET
2 Publizr Home