John Puopolo

Overcrowding of the public schools is a well documented issue since 2016

By John Puopolo

It was disappointing to hear where the School Committee, Superintendent and Mayor are with overcrowding. Overcrowding has been a well-documented issue since at least 2016 and has not gone anywhere for 7 years and counting.

Many paid consultants, much research, presentations and analysis have been performed by the last School Committee, City Council and the Mayors administration and the indecision continues. Every member for both the School Committee and City Council voted yes to move forward with Pope John, even the mayor voted yes but later recanted his yes vote, draw your own conclusion on that one.

As you know, overcrowding has been and is continuing to fail the students, families and the faculty. With the housing growth in this city, it is clear that overcrowding will accelerate. Not considering Pope John as a major part of the solution is a great injustice in the Everett education system. I’m sure most, if not all of us, enjoyed our education without spilling over into hallways, closets or make shift class rooms.

To hear every option mentioned by Superintendent Hart, except Pope John, the one building with the potential to significantly relieve overcrowding, was disappointing. Modulars are not the sole comprehensive answer. Seems loud and clear from the community, City Council and School Committee last year and this year that modulars have minimal applications at our existing buildings that will not provide the relief we need.

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Public Speakers before City Council Monday, June 12, 2023

Samantha Lambert School Committeewoman

Spoke in support of the $1 million of ARPA funding for the Everett Youth Initiative.

“The projects they are suggesting benefit us all,” Lambert told her colleagues in government.

“The kids have worked hard. They deserve this.”

Kit Bridge

Agreed with Lambert.

“I look forward for the city to work with its youth. Let’s continue the process.”

She said she was In favor of scrutinizing CORI reports for city employees.

She wanted all public meetings to be broadcast live and recorded on ECTV and posted for “posterity.”

Taxpayers money is being wasted for bad behavior, he said.

He said the city was drowning in wasted energy and expenses with costly law suits. He implored Blacks and Browns to vote

in the upcoming election, “It is more important than ever.”

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Letter to the Editor

Dear School Committee Members,

To say I am disappointed by the derogatory statement made by SC member Mr. Marcus toward Ms Paula Sterite from his official seat while the school committee meeting was in session for public participation is an under statement.

It is upsetting to see anyone’s first amendment rights infringed upon, especially during a governed public open meeting. For SC member Mr Marcus, an elected public official, attempt to bully, harass, embarrass, suppress or ridicule a public speaker during an official open city public meeting is totally unacceptable and must be immediately addressed.

He should step down, he has proven to be unfit to serve. This is not the first time he has behaved inappropriately during in session meetings where he had to be spoken to by the chair.

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Puopolo derides administration for tax increases, quality of life

EDITOR’S NOTE: John Puopolo’s comments to the city council Monday night were powerful and to the point. He continues to be the administration’s harshest critic. The following is his statement provided to the Leader Herald.

By John Puopolo

I am against the creation for the cemetery commission. We don’t need more campaign donor stipend jobs in this city. The budget does not support handing out more money. It’s wasteful spending tax dollars in return for what appears to be campaign contributions. Eliminate the stipend jobs. Also, I hope each stipend job’s performance is reviewed for attendance and participation, hopefully not attended like the mayors effort on the school committee he forced himself on missing 14 meetings.

When will the administration come to its senses and make cuts to the $300M bloated budget? Your $300M budget and tax increase approval has a negative impact on the quality of life for Everett residents. We repeatedly spoke out about holding the administration accountable for submitting a scaled down budget, but our words fell on deaf ears.

Now we are paying for it dearly with taxes. Because the administration is fiscally irresponsible does not mean that you have to be. You’re supposed to be the check and balance, not the rubber stamp! Hope you all have a much healthier debate for the next budget than you did for this one.

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Pleading with the council to act

Editor’s note: The following letter has been sent to all the members of the Everett City Council.

Dear Councilmen:

It was disturbing to see agenda item C053522 Cemetery Commission on the 12/27/22 Agenda for action to establish the Everett Cemetery Commission. Just what the tax payers need, more no show paid jobs for the mayors donors and supporters many from outside Everett. This will negatively impact residents by adding to the $300M bloated budget and padded payroll headcount. How many NO Show Stipend jobs on commissions and boards is enough for the Mayor? for our budget?

Taxpayers have had enough of the wasteful spending from the corner office that you all approve which means you support.

We voted for you to manage the budget and the city, not be a rubber stamp for uncontrolled wasteful spending! Do you have the business acumen to stop the mayor’s lack of fiscal responsibility and financial mismanagement with the CFO, or are you part of the problem?

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