Revere School Subcommittee debates spending of $155K surplus

By Barbara Taormina

The School Committee’s Ways and Means Subcommittee struggled with a problem at their last meeting that most committees would welcome. The school department is closing out its books from this fiscal year, which show a $155,000 surplus. There was some disagreement among members about how to spend the unexpected cash.

Superintendent Dianne Kelly proposed leaving it alone. “I don’t know what to anticipate for the rest of the year and next year’s budget,” she said, adding that leaving the money alone would be the most prudent move. Kelly also proposed adding the money to the line item for Special Education residential costs, which Kelly said are already more than was originally anticipated.

But John Kingston, chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee, had a different idea. Kingston proposed spending $40,000 on a playground for the early childhood program at the Beachmont School. Kingston described how there’s nothing at Beachmont for play equipment for early ed and kindergarten. Kingston said the only thing in the yard is a broken sandbox with sand leaking out of the sides and a crooked table.

“We talk a lot about equity in the district, and this is very unequitable,” said Kingston, adding that the district’s other preschool programs have playgrounds. Kingston also reminded the committee that they have talked a lot about the importance of play to engage children in learning.

“We’re not updating anything, there’s nothing there,” said Kingston. “I don’t think that’s fair.”

But other committee members felt it is better to take a cautious and conservative approach with the surplus.

“We want to give kids everything possible,” said Committeewoman Stacey Bronsdon-Rizzo. “I would love to see a playground at Beachmont. But we are not in a position to look at playgrounds,” she said, adding that the committee shouldn’t approve a playground before funding for special education programs.

“In the current fiscal state we’re in, I don’t know if a playground would be a priority,” said Bronsdon-Rizzo.

Kelly suggested investigating possible grants for tot lots. She added that she had not heard from the principal at Beachmont nor from the early education director that the lack of a playground is a problem. She also added that she had recently signed on to a letter to the state legislature asking how they can better support local school districts with the millionaire’s tax. She said some good news may be coming in the spring.

Committee member Anthony Caggiano said he would support Kingston’s motion to use $40,000 for a playground, but he wanted more information about how the money would be spent.

The committee voted to recommend to the full School Committee that they approve $40,000 for the Beachmont playground and that the remaining $115,000 be put in the special education residential column to avoid any deficits next year.