Schools
Revere Cuts 34 Teachers
Teachers could be called back if May tax levy passes. Superintendent said district is preparing for "worst-case scenario."
Revere Local Schools Board of Education reduced its work force for next school year by 34 teachers on Tuesday night. But, if a ballot initiative on May 3 passes, some teachers may be called back to the schools.
The resolution to cut the teachers was voted unanimously by the board, although some expressed dissatisfaction with having to do it. “These resolutions coming up hurts us all,” board member Mario Bonacci said. “We’d always like to see other things happen.”
Board member Joseph Forcina said teachers are second only to children in importance to the district.
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Superintendent Randy Boroff said the district is trying to meet their budget.
“We have to plan for the worst-case scenario.”
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He said he would like to be able to call those teachers back if the levy passes. However, after the meeting, Boroff said he could not be certain if all of them would be called back.
About 150 people attended the meeting in the Revere High School library. Near the end, an audience member asked the board to read the list of names of the teachers -- many of whom were in attendance -- aloud and for the teacher to stand. Board President Bill Hoover complied and all the teachers were given a standing ovation by the audience.
David Gifford, president of Families and Community Together for Schools, or F.A.C.T.S., said the cuts should force the community to realize the need for the new levy.
Several people in the room were wearing F.A.C.T.S. T-shirts. Gifford said the group formed the day after the last levy initiative failed.
In other news
- The board tabled a proposal to approve administration contracts for a two-year period. Boroff said all pay would be frozen and two positions would be reduced to half time. Forcina wanted a chance to look at the contracts before voting on them.
- The board also authorized Hoover and district Treasurer David Forrest to negotiate the terms to sell , which has been closed for three years.
Forrest said the sale price for the school is $225,000. He said the asking price was closely related to the condition of the three-story building, demolition and asbestos removal needed to be done on the property, which he estimated at a cost of $400,000 to $500,000. The property will also have to be rezoned.
Boroff said the district has an interested buyer, but it hasn’t become public information yet.