There is a persistent longing in Newton for the golden days of Newton Public Schools—seemingly a time when every student was above average and the district produced alumni of the stature of Joe Rogan (NNHS ‘85).
But as we bemoan NPS’s drop in rankings, we must ask: Was excellence sacrificed for equity, or was it eroded by years of underinvestment and bad leadership?
The narrative that equity came at the expense of excellence is a convenient distraction. It ignores the fact that our peer districts have consistently out-invested us through more clever fiscals including successful overrides.
Now, the new School Committee has set “academic excellence” as its priority for the FY2027 budget. While the sentiment is fine, the strategy is thin. We are being asked to fund “rigor” without a clear definition of what that means or how it will be measured. Are we striving for deeper learning, acceleration, or simply busier and overworked students?
Furthermore, if the district is moving toward a data-driven model, that same quantitive rigor must apply to the Superintendent’s evaluation. Dr. Nolin’s success should be judged by the measurable achievement of these new academic excellence goals, not by the soft skills of management: rebranding, reorganizing, and communicating.
Restoring NPS requires more than a one-year infusion of cash. It demands a decade-long commitment to predictable, expanded resources beyond level-services for facilities, revamped instruction materials, staff development, and responsive student support. It also requires a renewed partnership with educators and the community. If we aren’t willing to fund the “excellence” we claim to miss, then we are just trading one ideology for another.
Enrique Rosero
Newton Center
