After Heated Debate, Council Rejects $11.4M Borrowing for Former Everett High School Roof

The Everett City Council on April 22 declined to approve borrowing $11.4 million to replace the roof at the former Everett High School (548 Broadway), a measure the mayor and administration said was needed to protect ongoing community programs housed in the building.

Mayor Paul DeMaria and city planners presented a cost comparison prepared by the Mount Vernon Group that showed replacing the roof would cost $11.4 million and that a short‑term conversion of Pope John to provide equivalent classroom space would cost substantially more (Mount Vernon’s estimate was $31.3 million for the Pope John work to match existing community uses). Matt Litanzi, director of planning and development, said the roof funding request was intended to preserve current uses—Elliott Family Resource Center, Health & Wellness Center, Webster Extension School classroom space and municipal vehicle/maintenance storage—and to keep the building insurable.

"If the council wants to maintain the Webster Extension School for its 250 students plus a large waiting list, the options are an $11.4 million roof or a $31.3 million Pope John renovation," Litanzi said during the presentation. He also described a separate Mount Vernon estimate of roughly $2.5 million to renovate the second floor for additional classroom space if the council chose to pursue that option later.

Public comment before the council was strongly divided. Several residents urged approval to protect community programs and prevent loss of a public space, while others questioned the $11.4 million price tag and called for more oversight and transparency. Peggy Serino told the council, "Please remember you’re borrowing this money — we don’t have this money, we’re borrowing it," and urged rejection. David Senatilaka and others warned that failure to act could lead to the loss of community programs housed in the building.

Council debate focused on two competing priorities: preserving current programs and the building’s long‑term value versus requiring more detailed planning and superintendent commitment before authorizing significant borrowing. Several councilors requested more specific cost breakdowns, a superintendent commitment to use any added school space, and a broader master plan for city facilities before committing funds.

On roll call the motion for favorable action failed, 5 yays to 6 nays. Following that vote, the council referred Item 20 (a resolution asking the administration to submit all costs associated with the former Everett High School, utilities and maintenance) back to the sponsor for additional information. The administration said it would seek MassDevelopment technical assistance and meet with the superintendent and return with more detail if the council wished.

What happens next: The appropriation failed for now; the administration indicated it will pursue grant opportunities (including an application for a $5 million state grant), meet with the superintendent and MassDevelopment for technical assistance, and return to the council with additional information and more finely detailed cost estimates if requested.