Another School Committee candidate; Final SC meeting of 2024-25 school year

Adding to the deep pool of declared School Committee candidates for this November’s election, Arrianna Proia filed campaign organization paperwork last week to run as the Ward 1 (Nonantum and Newton Corner) representative. Ms. Proia confirmed to Fig City News with this statement:

As a proud graduate of Newton Public Schools and the Massachusetts public university system, I’ve seen firsthand the power of public education—and the ways it can fall short. I’m running because I believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, no matter their background.

Today, students face more pressure than ever—from academic stress to social media to mental health challenges. I’m running to make sure our policies reflect those realities and to ensure our schools remain strong, inclusive, and future-ready. That includes making fiscally responsible decisions. We must prioritize student well-being while allocating resources wisely to support long-term success.

Raised in a working-class Newton family, I know how much parents invest in their children’s future. I believe we can support our kids and our educators, uphold high academic standards, and maintain the transparency and accountability our community deserves.

— Arianna Proia, School Committee candidate, Ward 1

Jonathan Kazakoff-Eigen, who has pulled nomination papers from the City Clerk, has not yet responded to Fig City News regarding whether he intends to run.

Alongside the continued declaration of candidates, the final School Committee meeting convened on June 16, 2025, with a relatively positive financial update regarding Newton Community Education  highlighting the agenda. Other topics discussed at the meeting included a collaborative student mental health working group comprised of both NPS administration and educators representing the Newton Teachers Association, and the finalization of Superintendent Anna Nolin’s annual feedback (as required by the state), which reflected her strong performance in the eyes of the School Committee.