I had accepted the narrative that Newton Public Schools (NPS) would have been fully funded, had “unforeseen costs” not arisen. A closer look at Mayor Laredo’s FY27 budget reveals this is a fiction. The numbers simply do not add up. While Mr. Laredo touted an increase for NPS of over…
Posts published in “Letters to the Editor”
We publish here Letters to the Editor with the intent to reflect a broad range of opinions and insights of Newton residents. Please note our submission guidelines and send letters (maximum of 300 words) to [email protected].
All views expressed in any signed article, letter, column, or post
on Fig City News are those of the writer and not Fig City News.
The City’s plan for selling Pension Obligation Bonds has significant risks. After a century of U.S. equity returns exceeding taxable investment-grade funding costs by about 4% annually, and an even more booming stock market for the past 17 years, it is human nature to extrapolate leveraging pension debt into largely…
In a January 2024 interview, I discussed Newton City finances, pension and benefit obligations, and NPS negotiations. I supported the City fully funding its pension liabilities but cautioned that doing so by 2032 — eight years prior to the 2040 Commonwealth deadline — might jeopardize funding for other vital City…
Given the federal government’s recent attack on the US Forest Service, it is especially important to celebrate our local environmental groups dedicated to preserving, protecting and expanding Newton’s tree canopy and natural areas. In Newton, along with Newton’s Urban Forestry Program, the local groups that provide resources and volunteer opportunities include…
Deep, painful cuts are coming to NPS next year once again. To avoid them, different solutions have been presented to Mayor Laredo, from free cash to establishing a special education stabilization fund, to considering school choice. All were swiftly shut down without discussion. No alternative is more evident, viable, and prudent…
Former mayoral candidate Al Cecchinelli suggests that City employees “should welcome, comply, and assist any federal agency.” City employees assisting any federal agency would include Newton Police assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and similar federal agents from the larger Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Perhaps the 13% of Newton…
The persistent budget shortfall facing Newton Public Schools is no longer a temporary hurdle; it is the fiscal crisis that remains the unspoken backdrop of every discussion about NPS. While the constraints are real, the way our leadership handles them is a choice, and currently, those choices are failing our…
I am Meer and I’m a 5th grader at Countryside Elementary. I have created a weather site called Nubo Weather with the help of my parents. I have been interested in weather forecasting from a young age. This site I made compares different sites and shows the median of various site forecasts.…
If you live in Newton, you’re likely a homeowner — and your home’s value likely has risen dramatically in the past decade. Many longtime residents now have more than $1 million in paper net worth, much of it tied to their home’s appreciation. Naturally, people want to protect that investment…
We are writing to introduce Newton Conversations, a group that envisions a city where civil discourse thrives, and diverse perspectives are respected with open minds and thoughtful engagement. Newton Conversations evolved from discussions among residents over the past several years about how to foster civil discourse on issues facing the…
Watertown’s new school building has sustainability built into the design. Energy-efficient systems, modern ventilation, and reduced emissions mean healthier classrooms and lower long-term costs. Brookline has taken meaningful steps in a different but equally important area: school cafeterias. Waste reduction, composting, and sustainable food practices cut environmental impact while helping…
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…