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Everett superintendent highlights staffing, facilities and technology ahead of Aug. 26 school opening
Summary
Superintendent (Mr. Hart) told the Everett School Committee the district welcomed staff at convocation, hired dozens of nurses and social workers, bought 6,000 Chromebooks and secured $2 million for HVAC work at Whittier School; he introduced three new building leaders.
Superintendent (Mr. Hart) told the Everett School Committee on Aug. 25 that the district completed a large summer of hiring, maintenance and planning ahead of the first full week of school, and introduced three new building leaders.
The superintendent said Everett Public Schools welcomed staff at a convocation the day before and that the district employs about 740 teachers and 139 paraprofessionals. He said the district serves more than 7,300 students and that summer work included painting, floor resurfacing, window and ceiling-tile replacement, landscaping and other facility repairs.
The superintendent introduced Dennis Lynch as the district’s assistant superintendent for student services, Dr. John Brager as the new principal of Everett High School and Darlene Punely as the new principal of the Albert Parlin School. Lynch will lead wraparound services including special education, guidance, counseling and social work; Brager and Punely gave brief remarks after being introduced.
“We have a lot to be thankful for and the staff that we’ve brought on board,” the superintendent said, summarizing the convocation and previewing the year ahead.
The superintendent reported several operational items: - Staffing: The district has hired 17 nurses so far, with additional candidates in process; the superintendent said the district’s benchmark for a medical delegation is 18 nurses and that meeting that level would restore routine field trips that require nursing coverage. The district also lists 19 social workers, with a 20th position described as the supervisor. The district named Seamus Brady as a new director of special education and said it has reorganized some leadership roles at Everett High School. - Technology: The district purchased roughly 6,000 Chromebooks between last fiscal year and this year and plans to issue devices to students and staff; the superintendent said the devices include barcodes and tracking controls and that the district has increased bandwidth and classroom technology security. - Facilities and capital projects: The superintendent said the city appropriated $2 million to replace the HVAC system at the Whittier School. He said the roof at the old Everett High School is nearly complete, which will allow the district to open three additional preschool classrooms and a calming room there this fall. - Attendance: The superintendent said the district is seeing improved attendance and that chronic absenteeism is down, calling the change “intentional” and incremental.
Mayor DeMaria thanked the superintendent and city staff for coordinating on facilities and hiring, and committee members asked for follow-up materials: an updated organizational chart, a technology replacement policy for student devices and a plan to complete mandated Mass School Building Authority (MSBA) submittals.
The committee voted to accept the superintendent’s report and place it on file by roll call vote; the motion passed 9–0.
Why it matters: The items the superintendent reported — staffing levels, nurse coverage, new principals, major HVAC and roofing work, technology issuance and attendance improvements — directly affect student safety, daily operations, and the district’s ability to offer in-person experiences such as field trips and expanded preschool services.
Looking ahead: The superintendent said some details are embargoed for now and promised to return with additional information at the Sept. 2 committee meeting.
