THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, SEpTEmbEr 30, 2022 Page 7 Special Town Meeting School Committee members say they support Crabtree’s article creating a stabilization fund for students By Mark E. Vogler T wo School Committee members say they believe Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree’s proposed “Supplemental Student Support Reserve Fund” will aid the School Department in reaching students whose education was adversely aff ected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The stabilization fund is going to help the district stretch every dollar and invest in student achievement after the pandemic. I look forward to the discussion,” School Committee member Ryan Fisher said. “The money is targeted, recognizes the extraordinary needs we’re seeing not only as we try to put the pieces back together from the pandemic years, but recognize how much growth we have in front of us. It’s going to help us get there,” he said. The proposed article is one of several measures that will be considered when the ASKS | FROM PAGE 6 enough. I also want to thank the Town Manager for his cooperation and help in getting invitations out to new residents. 50-member Town Meeting convenes at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 24 in the second fl oor auditorium at Saugus Town Hall. Crabtree said that Gov. Charlie Baker provided additional monies in Chapter 70 funds for public school, amounting to about $3-million for Saugus Public Schools. This money would allow for a variety of educational programs in the school district which are not currently covered by the School Department’s operating budget. “The idea is to look at student opportunities through the pandemic,” Crabtree said. “Our students in the state fell behind. This money is looked at to try to support those endeavors,” he said. I surveyed and spoken to town meeting members. When reached for comment, School Committee Chair Vincent Serino said he “really feels good” about the article. Q: How many different town agencies are involved? Did you approach the School Department or did they off er to help? A: As far as the school district is concerned, I had mentioned this event to As“It takes on one of our biggest challenges, how do we get students, who have been out of the classroom for an extended period of time, back up to the level they should be at,” Serino said. “This fund will supplement the already great work of our teachers and support staff s,” Serino said. “This fund will allow needed monies towards enrichment programs. As well as a supplemental program that will help the students get the extra help they need. This fund will help Saugus as a whole by working towards student achievement,” he said. Crabtree said the funds would be used for the following reasons: To develop and provide enrichment programs outside of the school day, including summer school, evening school, and before and after school programs not currently existing in the school budget. sociate Principal Myra Monto and Superintendent Erin McMahon at the Unsung Hero awards a few months ago. They both loved the idea and wanted to be a ASKS | SEE PAGE 8 2.50 %APY* With rates like this, earning while you save is easier than ever. Ask about our in-home or office concierge service. EARN INTEREST WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS FROM A NEW MILESTONE SAVINGS ACCOUNT. Saving is hard. We get it. Life gets in the way. That’s why we created the Milestone Savings Account. With an amazing 2.50% APY* and no restrictions, reaching those financial goals gets a lot easier. Stay liquid. Earn while you save. And do it easily with a New Milestone Savings Account. Go to everettbank.com for details. To deliver at home tutoring for students who have been identifi ed as needing one on one support from a qualifi ed educator. To procure and administer norm referenced student assessments to identify individual student defi ciencies in mathematics and reading. To develop and implement parent/guardian communication and training programs that will help facilitate student learning and success. To supplement existing ESL / ELL learners including, but not limited to, materials and properly credentialed staff to support these learners. To ensure access to technology for students who have been identifi ed as not having such at home. To develop and implement extended day programs for students as needed. To develop any program deemed appropriate and proven effective with the goal of bringing about student academic and social recovery from two years of remote learning. “In order for the Saugus Public Schools to access these funds the Superintendent and School Committee must submit a detailed plan to the Saugus Finance Committee who will determine that such plans are supplementing current educational programming and not supplanting it, the article says.” * This account is available to all new customers and for existing customers with new monies of $50,000. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of the date posted and are subject to change without notice. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. Minimum of $50,000 is required to open a Milestone Savings and earn the advertised Annual Percentage yield. Fees could reduce earnings.
8 Publizr Home