The Newton Public Schools School Committee will experience significant turnover on January 1, 2026, with at least five of its nine members being new. Committee Members Emily Prenner (Ward 5) and Barry Greenstein (Ward 8) have confirmed to Fig City News, after recently sharing the news with colleagues and friends, that they will not seek re-election this November. Ms. Prenner has served on the Committee since 2020, and Mr. Greenstein since 2024. They join Paul Levy (Ward 6) and Mayor Ruthanne Fuller (who is a member of the Committee ex officio) in not seeking re-election. Additionally, Anping Shen (Ward 3) has reached the maximum four consecutive terms a resident can serve on the Committee. So at least five of the nine voting members will be new in 2026.
New candidates
In recent weeks, four new candidates have filed with the Newton Election Commission to run for School Committee positions this November, and they have jointly informed Fig City News of their intentions to run for that office, providing their biographies as well. They are:
- Jenna Miara in Ward 5 (Waban and Upper Falls): biography, website
- Mali Brodt in Ward 6 (Newton Center and Newton Highlands): biography, website
- Bruce Hedison in Ward 7 (Chestnut Hill and Ward School area): biography, website
- Jim Murphy in Ward 8 (Oak Hill and Countryside School area): biography, website
In addition to coordinating their announcements, these four candidates appear to be running as a slate, all having substantially similarly designed campaign websites with a common P.O. Box for donations.
Alicia Piedalue was sworn in on April 1 to fill the vacant Ward 7 School Committee seat for the remainder of the current term, after winning a recent Special Election unopposed. Ms Piedalue’s first meeting as a Committee Member will be on Wednesday April 2.
Jason Bhardwaj declared his candidacy for Ward 3 (West Newton) last fall.
Fig City News is not aware of any other new declared candidates. Nomination papers will be available for all candidates in early May.
