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Everett committee urges city action on overcrowding; superintendent points to old Everett High School as a possible two‑year solution
Summary
School leaders described widespread overcrowding, improvised classrooms and accessibility problems. Superintendent Hart said the district lacks authority to acquire buildings but identified the old Everett High School as the most feasible place to add space and said renovation would likely take about two years.
Members of the Everett School Committee spent extended time on Dec. 16 pressing for faster action on school overcrowding and urged the city to prioritize a building solution.
"We’re way overcrowded at every school," said Miss Babcock, a committee member, who described students attending classes in hallways and converted storage spaces and urged city partners to accelerate a resolution. Committee members raised concerns about the impact on instruction, special education privacy and the physical wear on buildings.
Superintendent Hart acknowledged the district’s limited authority over building acquisition but said the district has consistently pressed city government. He identified the old Everett High School building as the option district leaders were asked to consider and said it "gives us ample amount of space to provide the kinds of, at the very least, accommodate grades 7 and 8," while maintaining preschool space. Hart urged city officials and councilors to tour facilities and see classroom conditions firsthand.
On timing, Hart said renovation and acquisition processes are complex and cautioned that under the best circumstances "it'll probably be 2 years out before anything could be seen," while warning that enrollment projections continue to grow. Several members noted the risk of unforeseen costs in renovating historic structures and urged fiscal prudence, but others emphasized the urgency of securing usable classroom space.
The committee referred the overcrowding update back to the sponsor for further coordination with city leaders and called for continued outreach and reporting on proposed sites and timelines.
