In 1844, the first state school for teachers and its instructor, Unitarian Reverend Cyrus Pierce, moved to West Newton after Lexington “welched on its financial agreement” to house the school. A wealthy supporter of Horace Mann purchased the Fuller house for the school. Teaching schools were an experiment that the…
Posts published in “Education”
On April 2nd, the School Committee correctly approved Superintendent Nolin’s recommended Level Service Plus budget proposal – a compromise plan to maintain our schools’ quality amid rising costs. Mayor Fuller’s current allocation of $293 million, however, falls up to $4.5 million short of this bare minimum budget. It is imperative that the…
The next span of Newton school history was marked by the growth of private schools; issues of governance, equity and curriculum; and the beginnings of teachers organizing. By 1763, Newton had two full-time school masters and four one-room, 14 ft x 16 ft schoolhouses for a population of 1,306. The…
Tight school budgets, outdated school buildings, and uncontested School Committee elections: When did these issues begin? Fig City News dug into archives and discovered a history of Newton’s schools dating back to the 17th century rife with issues that vex us to this day: funding, teacher pay, curriculum, governance, school…
We are, yet again, at a crossroads regarding the funding of Newton’s schools. We can choose to take the path identified by Mayor Fuller and continue to sacrifice both academic excellence and equity on the altar of perceived fiscal prudence. Or we can take the path outlined by Superintendent Nolin…
Newton Public Schools Superintendent Anna Nolin and School Committee Chair Chris Brezski will hold a Community Budget Meeting on March 27 [and again on April 3] at 6:30PM at Brown Middle School (125 Meadowbrook Road). NPS said: “The current budget proposal for next year means significant cuts of $3.7 million…
On February 14, President Trump’s Department of Education (ED) sent out a letter stating: “The law is clear: treating students differently on the basis of race to achieve nebulous goals such as diversity, racial balancing, social justice, or equity is illegal under controlling Supreme Court precedent.” The letter from the…
The Newton Schools Foundation will host a Trivia Night fundraiser with a cash bar, prizes, snacks and Buff’s Pub wings. It will take place on Friday, March 14, 7-10:30PM at the American Legion Nonantum Post 440 (295 California Street, Nonantum). Tickets are $40 per person ($50 at the door). Register…
In public comments, union demands full-time Kindergarten aides. The October 21 School Committee meeting began with an unusually long (45-minute) public comment period with 14 speakers — the majority of whom were Newton Public Schools (NPS) educators who spoke in favor of the restoration of full-time Kindergarten aides in Newton’s…
Nolin announces Pledge of Allegiance will commence at School Committee meetings this autumn. The June 10 regular School Committee meeting began with the Superintendent update, during which Superintendent Anna Nolin announced that starting in September 2024, School Committee meetings will begin with a Pledge of Allegiance to the United States…