Newton Schools Brace for Program and Staff Cuts in 2024 Proposed Budget

The proposed school budget for 2024 has identified a significant budget deficit of $4.9 million, which may lead to cuts and reductions in four critical areas at Newton schools. Unfortunately, staff and extracurricular activities are among the areas that could face potential cuts due to the budget shortfall.

NEWTON, MA –On March 29, interim superintendent Kathleen Smith unveiled the proposed budget for Newton schools, which amounts to a staggering $271,842,665. However, the budget proposal also highlights a significant deficit of $4.9 million for the upcoming school year. Unfortunately, this shortfall may result in cuts to staff and extracurricular activities, among other areas.

In her proposed budget, Kathleen Smith stated that they were aware of the tight budget situation for the year and expected the budget gap to be larger than the previous year.

Despite the proposed 2024 budget of $271,842,665 increasing by $9.77 million from the previous year's budget of $262,070,208, Newton schools are still confronted with an $8 million deficit, which is partly attributed to the unsuccessful operational override.

Unofficial election results indicate that during the town election held on March 14, overrides for Countryside and Franklin Elementary schools were approved by the voters of Newton. However, the proposed $9.2 million operational override was rejected.

As stated in the budget by Smith, the operational override would have granted an extra $4.5 million to the operating budget of Newton Public Schools for the current year.

According to the budget proposal, a budget gap of $4.9 million for 2024 was created due to several factors such as insufficient funding from the unsuccessful override, increase in costs, alterations in state funding, expiration of grant funding, utilization of one-time funds, and an increase in the needs of students.

In the proposal, Smith stated that it would be impossible to sustain the same level of service that Newton Public Schools have offered to students in previous years due to the enormity of the budget gap.

The budget gap will result in reductions in four primary areas.

• Non-personnel expenses
• Administrative and operations (personnel and expenses)
• Extracurricular activities (athletics, fine arts, clubs)
• Classroom and school personnel

Specific reductions and impacts will:

• Reduce classroom teachers and aides, resulting in increased class sizes at all levels and reduced support in classrooms
• Reduce supplemental and enrichment programming and coordination, as well as instrumental offerings at the elementary level
• Reduce after school athletics and enrichment programs at the middle and high school levels
• Reduce administrative and operations positions throughout the district
• Reduce English Language Learner (ELL) staffing and support
• Reduce instructional software, segments of 1:1 device program, library and instructional technology
• Reduce professional development, staffing and administration in Student Services and social-emotional learning departments
• Increase fees

In an effort to preserve the strings and orchestra programs that are at risk of being cut from 15 elementary schools in Newton due to budget cuts, a collective of parents and community members from the Newton public school district have drafted a petition.

"The proposed cuts to the music program would have a long-lasting and detrimental impact on the future of music education, especially at the elementary school level which is crucial for establishing a solid foundation," expressed Betty Wang, a parent to two children attending Newton public schools, via email.

As of Wednesday evening, more than 460 individuals have signed the petition and expressed their frustration towards the proposed cuts. One of the signatories, Kenneth M., left a comment on the petition expressing his shock and anger. Meanwhile, Shaunna A., who works as a music educator, emphasized the significance of music education beyond being just an extracurricular activity.

In the comment section of the petition, a signatory shared her personal experience, stating that joining the school's music program completely transformed her life and opened up numerous opportunities. She also highlighted the proven positive effects of music education on various aspects of children's lives.

Another commenter, Ariel C., said “music education was essential for [her] emotional and mental health.”Newton School Committee members will meet on April 12 to discuss the proposed budget.