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 and some members of the School Committee, by making necessary, responsible, investments in our schools. We should do the latter.
Newton has a “strong mayor” system of government and setting the city budget is almost exclusively within the mayor’s purview. Mayor Fuller strongly supports maintaining fiscal discipline, which is generally a positive thing. Newton should continue to prudently manage its finances and to not create a structural budget deficit.
However, the Mayor has consistently made decisions to prioritize debt repayment over investment. These decisions mean that we have operated under fiscal austerity, not prudence. The most impactful decision is to fund the pension deficit more rapidly than is required by state law: by 2032 versus 2040. Choosing to fund the pension by 2040 would mean approximately $150m more to spend on schools, roads and other city services over the next six years. That is enough to invest in Dr. Nolin’s “Level Service + Restoration” or even her “Thrive” budget proposals.
Funding less annually means we fund the pension fund for longer. But it is better to contribute less for longer, spreading the pain, than to force all fiscal pain onto a single generation of students and residents.
There is a Community Budget Meeting Thursday March 27 at 6:30PM at Brown Middle School. Speak up to deliver a message to Mayor Fuller and other community leaders that we want to prioritize investment in our schools and other city services, and not to pursue fiscal austerity for no obvious benefit.
Ryan McGlothlin
Newton Centre
