The September 9 School Committee began with a 5th grader from Cabot elementary school leading the School Committee in the Pledge of Allegiance. Beginning meetings with the Pledge is a new protocol implemented for the first time in at least several decades at this meeting.
Following the Pledge, Alex Pascal, who also gave comment at the May 6th 2024 School Committee meeting when in-school cell phone use was debated, was the lone public commenter and spoke to compliment the Committee on its work regarding researching and implementing a new Newton Public Schools (NPS) phone policy.
The published agenda began with Superintendent Nolin’s regular update, where she was joined by several NPS Central Office staff, during which Ms. Nolin highlighted “our core mission — academic instruction” and discussed an ongoing curriculum audit with an initial priority on K-8 mathematics. She stated, “We do not want our community to feel they have to engage tutors and services to gain support or enrichment in mathematics, and are working to create systems and experiences to address these concerns.”
During voting for the consent agenda, Chris Brezski (Chair, Ward 2) shared that Ward 7 member Amy Davenport moved out of Newton and therefore has left the School Committee. The School Committee will therefore be reduced to eight members until a special election is held, likely in 2025. Mayor Fuller then clarified that the City Council determines the date of any special election, and she cautioned that due to the Presidential election occurring in November 2024, the City Clerk may not be able to provide the City Council with a feasible date for any special election until “early 2025.” Since a majority vote is required for any School Committee action, the minimum threshold of five votes to approve a motion is unchanged due to the reduction from nine to eight members.
Next, the Committee turned to a policy presentation regarding Internet-enables devices (IEDs), including cell phones. In an unusual step, Mr. Brezski left the dais where the School Committee sits and joined Rob Greenfield, Newton North High School history teacher and digital literacy coordinator, to address the rest of the Committee with regard to the policy recommendation, which is summarized as:
- K-8: “Off & Away”; No access to devices during the school day
- High School: No access to devices during academic time
Further, no student may use IEDs in bathrooms or locker rooms, and may not take photographs nor videos without consent. The policy states there can be exceptions “for medical or other needs.” The presentation and ensuing School Committee discussion lasted over 45 minutes, during which the members were supportive of the proposed policy but raised concerns about consistency of enforcement across all student groups, as well as ensuring the community had more opportunities to give feedback. The policy will be reviewed annually for the next two years. It was approved by an 8-0 vote.
Later in the meeting, Superintendent Nolin discussing a draft version of the 2024-2025 district goals, which are expected to be finalized and voted upon at the next School Committee meeting, on September 23. The meeting concluded with another change from prior years: A document showing the prospective agendas for each School Committee meeting this entire academic year was posted and approved by a Committee vote.
The meeting replay is available on NewTV.
