Ed. Note: The author is the Ward 8 representative on the School Committee. Fig City News previously reported that he will not be seeking re-election in this November’s election.
Background
All too often when a doctor sees a patient with high cholesterol or blood pressure, the result is prescribing something to treat the symptom rather than considering the cause. When my son entered kindergarten, we were quickly met with an unexpected amount of requests to control his behavior that had become a distraction to the class. We were frequently asked to remind him to sit still, be quiet, and keep his hands to himself, among others. There was acknowledgment early on that his reading lagged behind his peers, but there was never a correlation between his reading level and his behavior. For years, we ended up treating the symptom and not the cause. By 2nd grade, he would freely tell teachers he hated school and thought he just wasn’t as smart as the other kids. From the moment the issues popped up, my wife and I knew something wasn’t right and did what many parents would do. My wife went into research mode. She listened to countless podcasts on reading and education, she spoke to people in her network about the issues we were having, and read scores of articles on the topic. I went into advocacy mode. I found groups that could help me understand the education system in Newton and learned how to advocate for your child’s education. During that time, the incumbent Ward 8 School Committee member decided not to run, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to get more answers and hopefully help families who were in a similar situation. So I ran for School Committee.
Budget Discussions
During the most recent budget discussions, I sent a letter to the mayor to share my point of view on why we needed to prioritize funding Newton Public Schools at a higher rate than we planned. The letter I sent best summarizes my experience on the Newton School Committee, so I share some of it here:
Reflecting on my time in Newton, I saw my experiences in NPS mirrored in my son’s journey when he started kindergarten four years ago. It was the struggle to get him the support he needed that motivated me to run for School Committee. I wanted to understand why he wasn’t learning to read, and the answer was more complex than I imagined. My time on the School Committee has given me invaluable insight into how NPS operates, revealing that the issues my son faced were rooted in years of neglect. The underfunding and systemic breakdown in investment for infrastructure and curriculum aren’t your creation, but you have the opportunity to fix them. You’ve already begun to address the physical spaces, which is a long-overdue step.
Physical spaces are important, but what we teach and how we teach are equally crucial. I am particularly concerned about the academic challenges we face, especially for our most vulnerable students. Early intervention and the right resources significantly impact a child’s future success. By not providing these, we risk their future and perpetuate a culture of inequality, which is especially evident in Newton. Families who can afford it seek external support, while others rely on NPS. We must ensure a free and equitable education for all, rather than placing the burden on families.
The Impact
It is a quick turn in a young person’s life when they go from learning to read to reading to learn. If they don’t master the reading skills in time, they will forever be behind their peers. It’s something I have experienced myself. At the end of last school year, it became clear that we were at that pivotal moment in our son’s education, and my wife and I made the difficult decision to move him to a specialized private school that would give him the resources he needed to become an active and willing participant in his own education. This past school year in his new school has been transformational. He’s confident, he’s happy, and yes, he loves school. When my wife and I first started this journey, we knew we would do whatever necessary to get our son the services and education he needed. So this summer, we will move closer to his new school to give him the full experience he deserves. When we make that move, I will officially resign my seat as Ward 8 School Committee Member.
Thank you
Thank you for allowing me to represent you. This experience has been educational, cathartic, frustrating, encouraging, and worth it.
I am grateful for my time serving as a member of the School Committee. I have tried to come to each issue with an open mind and willingness to hear other opinions. I shared my opinions when I thought it mattered and tried to stand up for what was right and fair. I hope I made a difference.
I believe we are at a pivotal moment in Newton. We have a true leader in Superintendent Nolin. She has the background, willingness, and vision to transform Newton Public Schools into a shining example of what public education should be. I hope our community gives her the time and resources she needs to succeed. Dr. Nolin’s ability to achieve her goals rests on the backs of our community. Can we pass an override to fully fund the schools? Can City officials address the systemic underfunding of NPS? These are all solvable issues. Fixing NPS is greater than just providing the education our residents deserve. Properly funded schools give educators the resources they need to identify kids like my son early, get them the help they need, and turn them into productive, thoughtful members of our community. An investment in NPS is not just for families who use the schools. It’s an investment in our future generations, and that’s something we should all care about.
