School Committee approves $108M FY2022-23 budget

  The School Committee unanimously approved a $108,622,848 budget for the 2022-23 school year on Tuesday. Last week, the City Council adopted the $240 million Fiscal Year 2023 operating budget which included the budget for the Revere Public Schools. Other than School Committee members, no one from the public spoke during the public hearing before the final vote on Tuesday.

  “It’s been a lot of hard work by a lot of people, and they need a thank you,” said committee member Michael Ferrante, who chairs the Ways and Means Subcommittee.

  Ferrante thanked the fellow members of his subcommittee, as well as the other School Committee Members who gave input during the budget process, as well as Superintendent of Schools Dr. Dianne Kelly and her leadership team and Mayor Brian Arrigo. He praised school Chief Finance Director Matthew Kruse and city Finance Director Richard Viscay for bringing forth the budget.

  Ferrante noted that even with rising transportation costs, the schools were able to add 22 positions for the coming school year.  The major additions for this year’s budget include increases in staffing for English language learners as well as the reintroduction of two new positions that have not been in the district for a number of years – a fine arts director and a comprehensive health and wellness director.

  Kelly said the district is also adding a number of interventionist teachers who will be providing tier 1 support for students who are struggling to get up to grade level academically.

  School Committee Member Carol Tye said the city was lucky to receive federal money through pandemic funding to help add positions. She noted that some districts have had to lay off staff. “We not only didn’t lay off – we hired in crucial areas a number of new people who will service our children in every area of our curriculum,” said Tye. “I’m very grateful to everyone that we can provide the kind of quality education that we are providing to our children.”

  School Committee Member John Kingston said that Malden and Medford are among the surrounding communities that have given teachers pink slips. “I want to thank Mr. Kruse, especially, for keeping his eye on the ball, so to speak, and really helping us to not have to lay people off because I think that is a terrible thing,” said Kingston.