Student board rep could be in place by December

by Sheldon Ocker

Aug. 11 board of education work session

Naming a student representative to serve as a nonvoting member of the Revere Board of Education is moving closer to reality.

Board Vice President Jennifer Burke, speaking on behalf of President Kasha Brackett, who was absent, said the board favored the concept of a student representative and agreed that the selected student should have parental consent.

Burke said a first reading of a draft policy outlining the specifics of the program will occur in September, with a second reading and vote in October.

If approved, a representative — or possibly two, a senior and a junior — could be selected in November, enabling student representation to begin by December.

In discussions during July, Burke and Brackett proposed having a representative in place by September.

Board members Courtney Stein and Natalie Rainey suggested slowing the process to ensure all elements of the program were fully addressed. Under their proposal, the program would not begin until the 2027-28 school year.

Stein asked Burke, after hearing from some parents, “Is there any consideration to pausing as a couple of us have requested for this school year, especially since parents are just hearing about it and have concerns?”

Also at the July session, board member Jeff Bowler offered a third option, saying the board would have ample time to consider all aspects of the program over the next few months and still have a representative in place before the start of the second semester this school year.

Burke said there would be time for further discussion at the September work session, but the board would “keep moving forward.”

Eye on expenses

Treasurer Rick Berdine, who filled in for Superintendent Dan White, who was recovering from a medical procedure, told the board that only one of two open grounds crew positions would be filled and that an open custodian position also would go unfilled.

The reason: The district is expecting a $1.4 million shortfall in property tax revenue because of two bills passed by the state legislature in response to higher tax bills resulting from increased property valuations.

“So one of the things we want to do,” Berdine said, “we want to try and dig in where we can and reduce our expenses and try to offset at least part of that.”

Attracting and retaining bus drivers has been difficult for school districts across the country in recent years. Revere, however, has managed to avoid a serious shortage.

“We are very, very close to being fully staffed,” said Berdine, who added that the district is one full-time driver short, a vacancy he expects to be filled by September. Berdine also said Revere has several qualified substitute drivers available if needed.

Updated textbook

Director of Curriculum and Instruction Marcia Roach said Revere is bringing back an AP environmental science course this fall, and the teacher has requested an updated textbook.

Roach said Revere previously used the textbook’s second edition, but the fourth edition better aligns with the current AP exam.

“The enhancements in the fourth edition are really critical to giving students the opportunity to be as successful as possible,” Roach said.

Two classes totaling 40 students are scheduled. Roach estimated the cost of the new books at $3,000 to $4,000.