The scheduled February 8 School Committee meeting — the first meeting since the end of the Teacher’s Strike — exceeded three hours to complete its full agenda.
Superintendent Anna Nolin began the meeting with the Superintendent’s Update, and she used this time to address the School Committee with prepared comments regarding the aftermath of the strike. These comments included describing recent talks with educators sharing their “range of emotions, including disappointment, anger, regret, confusion, coercion, happiness, [and] unity.” Dr. Nolin also discussed the common theme of trust, and asked that educators “do not retreat from idea that this district values the same ideals as you. You are our colleagues, our professional colleagues and we value you.” She further emphasized that NPS will be engaging in a listening and healing process. The Superintendent also discussed how The Newton Public Schools (NPS) would make up the 11 missed school days due to the strike.
After approving the consent agenda, the School Committee spoke about the new teachers contract for about 30 minutes, clarifying questions they had received from constituents regarding the agreement with the Newton Teachers Association (NTA). The Committee also thanked numerous individuals in NPS administration and facilities for their work during the negotiations, with Mayor Fuller giving School Committee Chair Chris Brezski special thanks, calling him a “remarkable leader,” and Mr. Brezski reciprocating by thanking the Mayor for providing the resources to settle a “competitive contract.” The Committee then formally approved the new contract and return-to-work agreement by a unanimous vote.
The Committee then turned to revising the 2024-2025 school year calendar. Superintendent Nolin circulated a memo advocating for a school year that includes:
- A start date on Tuesday September 3
- No school on Election Day (November 5)
- Establishing Lunar New Year as a district holiday
- An increase from 180 student learning days to 182 student learning days
- A last day of school on Tuesday June 24, before the effects of any snow days
The addition of Lunar New Year as a holiday was noted as a momentous event in the district, reflecting significant community engagement by the Committee’s Calendar Working Group. Paul Levy (Ward 6) suggested that Anping Shen (Ward 3) introduce the motion to vote on the establishing the NPS holiday, noting he was the “driving force” behind the change. The Committee voted Yes unanimously.
With Lunar New Year established as an NPS holiday, the Committee turned to debating the remainder of Dr. Nolin’s recommendations. Having students out of school on Election Day led to substantial discussion regarding safety and security issues inherent in opening school buildings to the public for voting, with several members expressing particular concern for the 2024 U.S. Presidential election.
Dr. Nolin addressed the increase in two student learning days from 180 to 182, noting the option to do that had previously been available in prior NPS-NTA agreements, and it was her job to get the district its “bang for the buck.” Dr. Nolin stated her preference was to have those two days be additional staff professional development days, however the NTA declined that change.
[NOTE: A review of the draft versions of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) from the NTA and from the School Committee (posted on the NTA website) that were passed between the parties on January 28 show that the NTA had tentatively agreed to one additional staff development day, but the School Committee removed that item in its subsequent turn of the MOA. NTA President Mike Zilles told Fig City News, “we never heard anything more about the proposal.”]
Dr. Nolin concluded her remarks on the topic by stating she hoped to work with the NTA in the future to add incremental professional development days. Following this discussion, the School Committee voted unanimously to approve the 2024-2025 calendar, noting that having schools closed on Election Day would apply only for the 2024-2025 school year, and Election Day policy for subsequent years would be determined in the future.
Next, Dr. Katy Hogue, NPS Chief of Data and Research, presented the final 2023-2024 NPS Enrollment Analysis Report. The report was largely consistent with the preliminary Enrollment Report presented in the fall, which forecasted a small decline in projected NPS population from 11,596 students today to 11,211 in five years. The forecast includes the estimated effects of new residential housing development in the city. The NPS student body remains approximately 1,000 students below its pre-pandemic population, which represents about an 8% drop, and the analysis does not predict recovery of that lost headcount. However, the “cohort survival ratio” (CSR) of the student population’s net change from 5th grade to 6th grade (the transition from elementary school to middle school), was above 1.0 for the first time in at least 5 years, meaning that NPS is adding more students than its losing as that cohort graduates to middle school.
The meeting then featured another substantive discussion regarding whether NPS should participate in the state’s School Choice program. Assistant Superintendent Liam Hurley presented a follow-up analysis in response to members’ previous question. Superintendent Nolin’s comments were generally positive toward the program, citing very low birthrates both in Massachusetts and particularly in the MetroWest area, and the programs ability to potentially make up for some of the forecast enrollment decline.
Similar to the January 8 School Committee discussion on School Choice, members of the Committee expressed skepticism. Tamika Olszewski (Ward 4) expressed concern that using statewide statistics to estimate interest in a possible NPS School Choice program would not be accurate due to NPS being a “premiere district.” Rajeev Parlikar (Ward 1, former co-chair of the Newton Special Education Parent Advisory Council) conveyed frustration that potentially higher expenses for out-of-district for students requiring special services was part of the debate. Emily Prenner (Ward 5) referred to the Enrollment Analysis Report, which noted near-term projected increases in NPS’ high school populations within the overall declining trend, in her comment addressing high school capacities. The School Committee is planning on a vote regarding School Choice on April 4.
The meeting concluded with a discussion of the proposed calendar to formulate, debate, and approve next year’s FY 2025 NPS overall budget.
The meeting replay is available on NewTV’s YouTube channel.