The Finance and Programs & Services Committees met jointly on Thursday, April 30. See the video.
Newton Public Schools (report)
Superintendent Anna Nolin presented the Newton Public Schools FY27 budget. She noted that people move to Newton “primarily for the schools.” She described various aspects of the budget, including how the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTTS) was benefiting the elementary schools by moving 62% of students out of the “urgent” category in math and reducing early literacy/dyslexia screening flags by 45%. MTTS is a cost-saving measure that reduces the need for special education, testing, and intervention. MTSS for math will begin in the middle schools.
The cell phone ban is fully implemented in the middle schools. NPS is working to meet the State’s September deadline for the high schools.
Three new schools are opening during the next school year: Countryside, Franklin, and Horace-Mann.
“She stated that this budget reflects what the NPS actually needs rather than underbudgeting, such as modernizing curriculum for all subjects; Expanding Elementary Robotics/STEM; Expanding middle school offerings & MTSS support; Dual Enrollment & Early College programming; Alternative High School & Mental Health pathways and supports for diverse learners; High School/Middle School advanced electives; and expanding all-level after-school opportunities.”
A FY27 Level Service budget would be $317.3 million, a 6.7% increase over FY26. 95% of the NPS budget is fixed costs.
Finance Committee straw vote: accepted the School Department’s Budget of $314,574,126, the supplemental CIP, and the CIP, all passed with one opposed (Councilor Micley).
Programs & Services Committee straw vote: same result, one opposed (Councilor Micley).
Present — Finance Committee: Councilors Grossman (Chair), Bixby (Vice Chair), Greenberg, Micley, Malakie, Krintzman, Charm, and Silber.
Programs & Services Committee: Councilors Krintzman (Chair), Malakie (Vice Chair), Oliver, Micley, Charm, Bixby, Baker, and Farrell. Also present: Councilors Albright, Irish, Dahmubed, Lucas, Roche, and Kalis. School Committee members: Arrianna Proia (Ward 1), Linda Swain (Ward 2), Jason Bhardwaj (Ward 3), Tamika Olszewski (Ward 4), Ben Schlesinger (Ward 5), Jonathan Greene (Ward 6), Alicia Piedalue (Ward 7), Victor Lee (Ward 8).
City staff: Anna Nolin, Superintendent of NPS; Liam Hurley, NPS Assistant Superintendent/CFAO; Josh Morse, COO; Maureen Lemieux, CFO; Stephen Curley, Comptroller; John Rice, Chief Community Service Officer; Doug Botelho, Manager of Financial Services; Caroline Wilson, HR Benefits Manager; Miles Starkey, Committee Clerk.