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Newton Schools Foundation endorses a YES vote on the three override questions on the ballot for Newton’s March 14th Special Election.  

Newton Public Schools (NPS) have been affected by substantial increases in the costs of healthcare, fuel, transportation, and other budget items. At the same time, students are arriving at school with more significant academic, mental health, and behavioral needs, requiring greater support. 

Massachusetts state law (MA Prop 2.5) caps property taxes at 2.5% annually, which makes it impossible for the NPS budget to keep pace. The operating override will help NPS offset rising costs, maintain its current level of programming and education, and address the post-pandemic spike in student needs.

If the operating override does not pass, NPS will be forced to make severe cuts in numerous areas that will directly affect our students. Most notably, NPS expects to eliminate 40-50 educator positions, resulting in the following impacts:

• Larger class sizes at all levels
• Fewer classes and elective options for high school student
• Reductions in academic and social emotional support systems
• Cuts to extracurricular activities, including sports, theater, and music programs 

The three-part override will also fund improvements to Horace Mann Elementary, and debt service to renovate or replace both Countryside and Franklin elementary schools.

While we understand passage of the override may cause a financial burden for some Newton residents, failure to pass the override will severely diminish the exceptional public school education for which Newton is known—an education defined by excellence and equity for all students.

Please join NSF in voting YES on Newton’s override proposal on March 14.

Newton Schools Foundation (NSF) advances excellence and equity in Newton Public Schools by making grants in the three strategic areas of new approaches in the classroom, professional development for teachers, and programs that promote equity for all students. Therefore, advocacy for school funding aligns with our mission. 

Sincerely,

Newton Schools Foundation’s Board of Directors