Over this past weekend, the School Committee candidates from Ward 1 Kathy Marchi and Bridget Ray-Canada ), Ward 3 (Cyrus Vaghar and Margaret Albright) and Ward 8 (Gail Spector, and Matt Miller) all voluntarily published their answers to the Newton Teachers Association’s candidates’ survey after it became apparent the the teachers union would not release them.
If I’m not mistaken, that means all we need is our Ward 3 School Committee candidates (Anping Shen and Eileen Sandberg) and our mayoral candidates (Scott Lennon and Ruthanne Fuller) to release their answers and we’d have the full set.
I’m sure those folks are busy campaigning and probably missed the discussion here this weekend. But if you run into Shen, Sandberg, Lennon or Fuller, please let them know that many readers here would appreciate the chance to read their answers too.
Ruthanne Fuller
5/5/17
NTA Mayoral Candidates Questionnaire 2017
Before answering your specific questions, I would like to begin by stating emphatically that having the best public schools in the Commonwealth is a top priority of mine. I am proud of our school district but there are always ways to improve. I am also committed to providing our teachers with the support, the resources, the technology, the facilities, the professional development, and the appropriate class sizes so we can provide our students with a world class education.
1. Tell us about your background and why you are interested in running for Mayor.
I’m running for Mayor of Newton because I love this city, and I want to ensure that all residents of Newton have access to what makes us so strong – great schools, safe streets, livable neighborhoods, and thriving local businesses.
So much is going right, yet Newton is at a crossroads and faces real challenges – both fiscal and structural. I believe that I have the background, the experience, and most importantly, the vision to lead Newton forward.
I grew up in Detroit and moved east to attend Brown University (Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in American History). Later I attended Harvard Business School, graduating with honors.
In 2009, I was first elected Alderman for Ward 7, and I currently represent all of Newton as an At-Large City Councilor.
Prior to serving on the City Council, I was asked to be the Vice-Chair of the Newton Citizen’s Advisory Group – a group tasked with identifying ways to put Newton back on the right path after cost overruns plagued the Newton North High School project. My work on the CAG and on the Blue Ribbon Commission helped put Newton in a better financial position, make government more responsive, and created a blueprint for moving forward.
On the City Council, I have prioritized building coalitions and finding consensus to get things done. As Mayor, I will continue this approach to government, and make sure that everyone has a voice and a seat at the table.
2. Why are you qualified to serve on the office of Mayor?
Professionally, I have more than thirty years of experience as a Strategic Planner for non-profit organizations and businesses, including creating WGBH’s first strategic master plan. Working with diverse teams to create a vision, analyzing alternative ways to reach goals, refining action plans: I’ve done this difficult work successfully in the private, non-profit and public sectors.
My background has given me a deep knowledge of finances and budgets – something I’ve taken to the City Council, especially through my leadership as Vice Chair of the Finance Committee and Chair of the Audit Committee. Through this work, I have made fiscal accountability a priority and helped Newton increase its cash reserves and maintain its Triple-A bond rating.
On the City Council, I have made investing in Newton’s public schools a priority. I was the only elected official to serve on all three school building committees for the Angier, Zervas and Cabot elementary school projects. I have worked closely with parents, teachers and principals so they have a voice in these important decisions.
I spent years leading the effort to create long-term investment plans for our water, sewer, and stormwater systems – ensuring the delivery of safer and healthier city services, and saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.
By assembling a team of experts and digging deep into the numbers, three years ago I spotlighted the $1 billion we owe our retirees but have not yet funded. Retiree benefits should be secure for our retirees and sustainable for taxpayers – neither is true right now.
3. Could you give us an assessment of what you think is the current “state of the city”? What are Newton’s strengths, how do you think we should build on these, and where do you see the need for change?
Newton is one of the safest cities in America, with incredible public schools and strong neighborhoods. In recent years, steps have been taken to improve our municipal finances, and we have maintained our AAA bond rating.
However, we having looming budget challenges. First, while we have made progress investing in Newton’s infrastructure, from our school buildings to our streets, much more needs to be done. We still need to do significant work on our school buildings (Aquinas, Ward, Countryside and Franklin to begin), the senior center, two fire stations and police headquarters & annex, DPW facilities and recreational facilities (e.g., Crystal Lake bathhouse and the Hut at Newton Centre). Second, funding our $1 billion of retiree benefits is another significant challenge. Third, employee compensation must remain competitive. Fourth, a new administration in Washington, D.C. may mean cuts to funding for our public schools.
In addition, we need a vision and a comprehensive plan for housing, transportation and economic development, with a clear understanding of the impact on the number of students in the Newton Public Schools.
Having a strong leadership and management team at City Hall is a key priority. The Mayor and her team must always be listening to our employees and looking for ways to provide a better work environment and improved services to our residents.
Finally, there needs to be more respect, compassion, and a greater voice for public employees in Newton.
4. What do you see as the role of the Mayor’s office in supporting the Newton Public Schools?
The Newton Public Schools are the beacon that attracts families to Newton. The work of the teachers and principals enriches our city. I am committed to NPS being the best in the Commonwealth: it is our responsibility to our children and it is what is best for the City.
My most important job as Mayor will be to ensure that we attract the very best teachers and that Newton’s teachers and administrators have the resources necessary to provide our students with a great education and to give our schools the adequate funding they deserve. In fact, the most important decision the Mayor makes each and every year is the budget allocation to NPS. Thus, my role is to make sure we have adequate funding for our schools. I will always tilt towards the schools. In addition, the Mayor must support a well thought out capital plan for much-needed facility improvements.
It is also important that the Mayor works collaboratively with the School Committee – primarily taking in feedback from education professionals and listening to what educators need to thrive.
The Mayor should not be participating in active deliberations about or making curriculum, pedagogy, or educational choices – this is not what the Mayor is elected to do.
By listening during School Committee meetings and working together with the NTA, teachers, parents, the Superintendent, and stakeholders, we can achieve so much more.
5. What do you think are some of the concerns educators in Newton face, and how do you think these affect their morale? As Mayor, what would you do to address these concerns?
While we have a strong school system, I understand that we must continuously improve and that many teachers have concerns. Too often, they feel they lack a voice and don’t feel their concerns are genuinely understood or responded to, within their own school building, at the Ed Center, or by the School Committee. All of us – administrators, the School Committee and the Mayor – must be committed to improving the environment for our teachers, making it easier for them to teach, to develop, and to have career opportunities.
As Mayor, I will have an open, direct line of communication with the NTA leadership. It is so important that our educators are heard and their concerns addressed.
While the Mayor is only able to use her position on the bully pulpit to lobby for changes at the state level, she can make meaningful changes in Newton by listening, understanding, and collaborating with our educators and parents.
In summary, I will prioritize attracting and developing the very best staff to make the Newton Public Schools the best in the Commonwealth. Having a compensation system, professional development and up-to-date facilities that attract and retain the best is essential.
6. Do you support outsourcing the work of the Newton Public Schools custodians?
Custodians are an integral part of our schools. Working closely every day with principals, teachers, staff and students, custodians are an important part of what makes our school system work so well. Given the age and condition of many of our schools, their work impacts the quality of teaching and learning directly.
I know outsourcing has been considered for many months. It is an extremely difficult issue that is being bargained and, as such, I am uncomfortable commenting publicly right now. As Mayor, I am committed to understanding all the issues and listening carefully to the perspectives of all our unions.
7. What do you think Newton needs to do to make sure that it has adequate finances for its schools? Are there other ways you think Newton can assure that its school finances meet its needs?
My work on the City Council and on Newton Citizen’s Advisory Group has given me a deep and comprehensive understanding of Newton’s fiscal health and the challenges we face as a city. Newton Public Schools needs more resources to ensure that we’re providing the highest quality education for all of our students.
Through careful short- and long-term planning, effective management and the expansion of our commercial/retail/office tax base, we can realize savings and revenue growth that will benefit us over time. As Mayor, I will work to bring additional financial resources into the Newton. Overrides may also have to be considered. I will work aggressively to ensure we receive our fair share of PILOT payments, and look to creative partnerships and grants where available.
Most importantly, I will prioritize creating a close working relationship with the NTA and School Committee – each and every year – not just in contract years, so we can work collaboratively to achieve the best results for our schools.
8. Please explain your position on the health insurance that Newton currently provides to its public employees? E.g., should Newton remain self-insured? Should it continue to offer the same plans that it currently offers? Should it move Newton employees into the GIC for their health insurance? Should it negotiate changes with its unions to the current plan design? If negotiations were unsuccessful, would you support invoking MGL 32b sections 21-23 to unilaterally change plan design or move Newton employees into the GIC?
All of Newton’s public employees should have fair wages and good benefits, especially great health insurance. Newton’s teachers deserve access to high-quality health care, and I will work closely with NTA leadership and rank and file teachers to ensure that their health benefits are affordable and accessible. I understand that both plan design and the issue about being self-insured or exploring entering the GIC is critically important to you. I will work with you on determining what is best and listen carefully to your input. I am committed as Mayor to making sure we work collaboratively and successfully with all our unions to reach agreements on every collective bargaining issue.
9. While most of the NTA’s members participate in the Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System, a large number of our members participate in the Newton Retirement system. What do you think Newton needs to do to assure the financial solvency of the pension fund? Do you believe Newton will be able to fulfill its obligations to those members?
As Mayor, one of my first actions will be to do a comprehensive, top to bottom review of the city’s financials. I understand our pension funding plan as I authored an 80 page white paper on Newton’s pensions and retiree health care benefits in 2014.
We must have a funding plan that is fair to our employees and protects the pensions of our retirees. We must fulfill our obligations, because we have both a moral and a legal obligation to do so. As Mayor, I will ensure that we have a plan in place to close the gap and ensure the solvency of the pension fund. With so much fluidity in the budget, I don’t want to float hypotheticals, but let me be clear: retiree pensions are an obligation the City has made with employees, and it is our responsibility to deliver on these promises. This is also true for our retiree healthcare promises.
10. Next year, the NTA will be in the last year of a three-year contract between the Newton Public Schools and the Newton School Committee, and we will be negotiating a new contract with the School Committee to begin the following year. If you are elected Mayor, you will play an important role in these negotiations. What would your priorities be in these negotiations?
I would approach the contract negotiation process prepared to listen and to collaborate. Through a close working relationship with the NTA and School Committee, I will seek to ensure that our teachers are well paid with good career paths and benefits that enable us to attract and retain great educators. We need to be competitive in compensation with other excellent school systems so we can attract the best teachers.
I am committed to a fair and equitable contract for our teachers and one that is sustainable for Newton.
11. If there is anything else you consider pertinent to your candidacy that you would like to share, please feel free to do so.
Great schools are the most important city service and the cornerstone of Newton’s success. We must continue to invest in our children, support our teachers, and rebuild our school facilities. Newton schools are among the best in the region. I’m committed to ensuring Newton has the very best public schools in Massachusetts.
Maintaining a commitment to excellence in our schools is a core principle, so all our young people are prepared to achieve their full potential. This means meeting the needs – educational, social and emotional, extracurricular – of every student in our diverse community. It also means challenging our students while we provide a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment for each and every child.
Our schools are our single most important municipal service and the City’s largest line item. With a budget of over $219 million and more than 2,100 employees, the Mayor needs to make sure there is sufficient funding for our schools.
As Mayor, I will work closely with teachers, administrators, parents, and community stakeholders to ensure that Newton Public Schools have the resources and support necessary to continue providing the highest quality education to Newton’s youth.
As Mayor, I will focus on and work with the Newton Public Schools to hire, develop, support and retain the very best teachers and principals. We must invest heavily in developing and supporting teachers. We know the quality of a student’s teacher has the biggest impact on student performance and experience in school. We also know that great teachers are made, not born. The craft of the classroom can be taught and learned. Newton’s teachers are among the best in Massachusetts. Let’s keep investing in them.
As Mayor, Newton’s public schools will always be a priority for me. My door will always be open to NTA leadership. I would be honored to earn your endorsement and your support.
Thanks Councilor Fuller! One down three to go.
Eileen Sandberg
Candidate for School Committee, Ward 3
1. Tell us about your background and why you are running for School Committee.
I am the proud product of public education from Stony Brook, New York, where my mother was a teacher, and I believe passionately that all of our children deserve an excellent, challenging education.
I attended the University of Chicago (BA in Biological Sciences) and worked for 10 years in the biotechnology industry, earning my MBA from Boston University while working full time, and I spent 5 years in California working for Amgen. In 1994 I moved to Newton with my new husband, and we began our family with the adoption of our two oldest sons in Romania. We’ve raised our five children in West Newton, and all of them have attended the Newton Public Schools. My 18 year old son Josh is a freshman at Connecticut College, and wants to be a teacher in a financially disadvantaged district, a goal that he has expressed since he was in kindergarten at Franklin School.
I’ve been an active volunteer in all of my kid’s schools, in roles such as room parent and library volunteer, and as liaison to the PTO for special education. I’ve been asked why I wan not involved in the PTO leadership, and the answer is time. I was writing my dissertation, and received my PhD in Health Policy, concentrating in decision science, when my youngest child was in the 3rd grade at the Franklin School. Most recently, I have been a board member for 8 years, and chair for 4 years, of the Parent Advisory Council for Special Education (Newton SEPAC).
I am running for the School Committee because my experience with the SEPAC has shown me the challenges that we face in providing both excellence and equity to our students. I believe that my skills, education and experience make me well qualified to address these challenges.
2. How do you understand your role as a member of the School Committee? What does the School
Committee contribute to running the Newton Public Schools?
The role of the School Committee is in setting the priorities, managing the finances and providing oversight of the policies and procedures for the district. The School Committee hires, supervises and can fire the Superintendent, who manages the day to day operations of the School Department.
The School Committee’s challenge is to identify initiatives that we believe are in the best interest of our students, such as full day kindergarten and a later start time for our high school students, manage the budget that includes unpredictable elements like the rise in employee health care and transportation costs, and maintain the things that make our education excellent, such as effective class sizes and employee compensation that can attract and retain the best professionals.
3. What do see as the strengths of the Newton Public Schools?
I have said this publicly many times- the backbone of our school quality is the excellence of our teaching. I have experienced this hard work, dedication and professionalism with my five children, and seen it in family members who teach at Newton North.
We have some beautiful school facilities, and also have the challenge of updating or replacing our older buildings that are no longer adequate. We are fortunate to live in a community that values education so highly, and invests more than half of the city budget ($219 million) in our public schools.
4. What are your concerns? What do you think needs to change?
I am concerned about the anticipated budget shortfall for this year, and how we are going to move forward with high priority initiatives including full day kindergarten and later high school start time, in light of the budget situation.
The mental health of our students concerns me, especially because the recently released Youth Behavior Risk Survey results showed that nearly 90% of our high school seniors felt somewhat or very stressed. I believe that we need to better understand this data in order to provide appropriate supports, which may include additional services and the option of professional development to help our teachers work with students who are overwhelmed or depressed.
The condition of our older school buildings is concerning, particularly when student and staff safety and comfort are compromised. We need to make the renovation or replacement of all of our schools a high priority.
5. Why are you qualified to serve on the School Committee?
I believe that I am highly qualified to serve on the School Committee due to my skills, education and experience. First, I am a health economist by training and I am able to navigate our complex financial structure and work toward greater efficiency. Second, I have served as the chairperson of the Newton SEPAC for the past four years, and in that role I have worked successfully with the School Department and the School Committee on policy initiatives including the restraint and exclusionary timeout policy, and eliminating discrimination in Newton Community Education and our afterschool programs. Finally, I am skilled in working with diverse personalities to reach consensus. I believe that professionalism, empathy and a very thick skin are necessary in negotiations, and I’ve been successful in this with the SEPAC.
6. What is your position on outsourcing the work of the Newton school custodians?
Newton’s custodians, like all NPS employees in our schools, are a valuable part of the school community, and I do not take this lightly. I would only consider outsourcing in a situation of severe financial need, where we had exhausted other options, and where we felt that we could achieve significant savings without compromising quality. I am not privy to the current negotiation details, but from what I understand, these conditions are not currently being met.
7. What is your position on health insurance coverage for NPS employees?
The decision on whether it would be best to continue to self-insure Newton’s employees or to join the GIC is complicated, and ultimately the responsibility of the new Mayor. I would need to see data on our current and historical usage and costs, and a full comparison to the benefits and the costs of the GIC, in order to offer an informed opinion on this issue.
8. What would you do to close the funding gap the Newton Public Schools anticipates in FY18?
I believe that we need to approach the budget shortfall in three ways. First, we need to work to make our programming more efficient without sacrificing quality. I would begin with a careful strategic review of special education programs, because I believe that we may be able to both save money and offer better quality programs if we can create small programs like the SPARK program to keep students in-district who would currently require expensive out of district placements.
Second, we need to review all potential sources of grant funding. Finally, we need to work with the new Mayor and the City Council to insure that Newton’s educational needs are met, with budget increases if necessary.
9. We are in the last year of a three-year contract between the Newton Public Schools and the
Newton School Committee. If you were on the Negotiations Team for the Newton School
Committee, what would your priorities be in these negotiations?
I am not privy to all of the factors in these negotiations, and I would need to better understand our full compensation package, but I am concerned that our teachers earn less on average than surrounding towns, according to the recently released 2015-2016 Teacher’s Salary Report. The School Committee needs to balance the ability to recruit and retain the best teachers with creating a budget that is affordable and sustainable.
10. If there is anything else you consider pertinent to your candidacy that you would like to share, please feel free to do so.
Thank you for your consideration!
Thanks Eileen.
I am honored to have received the endorsement of the Newton Teacher’s Association. As a graduate of the Newton Public Schools, and as the only candidate in the race who sent their child to the Newton Public Schools, I understand the value of our Schools and our Teachers.
NTA Mayoral Candidates Questionnaire, 2017
1. Tell us about your background and why you are interested in running for Mayor.
Background:
Personal
As a third generation Newton resident, I have been invested in Newton all my life. My father was a Newton firefighter for 27 years, and every member of my family attended Newton Public Schools. I have been a dedicated community activist since serving on the Board of the Boys & Girls Club at age 25. It was one way to give back to an organization that had given me so much throughout my most formative years.
My wife Wendy and I are committed to raising our family in Newton and we are so proud to give our daughter Jenna the opportunity to go to our city’s public schools. Jenna is about to complete Kindergarten at Lincoln Eliot, where I attended school.
City Government
For the past 15 years, I have had the honor of serving the voters of Ward One as their elected representative on the Newton City Council.
As a member of the City Council, I have been elected by my colleagues to serve as President for four terms, three of which I ran unopposed. In this capacity, I work closely with the Council Vice President and the Clerk’s Office in facilitating and managing the on-going work of the Council, choose standing committee Chairs and Vice Chairs, and assign all Councilors to these working committees. I also preside over all full Council meetings and serve as Acting Mayor during temporary absences of the Mayor.
Prior to serving as President of the City Council, I was elected for one term as Vice President.
Major accomplishments: I led the effort to increase public safety around our schools with the creation of legally compliant safety zones. I developed and led the plan to rehabilitate and modernize our fire stations. In leadership, I streamlined the work of the Council to make a more efficient and effective legislative body.
When this term is complete I will have had 16 years of municipal legislative experience on the City Council.
Professional/Work Experience
For 20 years, I have worked in all aspects of financial management (wholesale/retail business finances, audit, internal controls, budget, inventory, policy, and compliance), including direct accounting experience on the federal, state, and municipal levels. I have managed staffs ranging from 2 to 25 people over the course of my career. Currently, I am the Assistant Budget Director for the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, where I manage and work closely with nine staff members and report directly to the Budget Director. On a day-to-day basis, we facilitate all financial aspects of the department’s $70 million budget. Prior to my current position, I worked for 14 years in the State Auditor’s Office as an Audit Manager responsible for producing performance audits of state agencies. I was promoted to Director of Federal Stimulus Audits during the period of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) where I was responsible for statewide reviews and audits of these dedicated grant funds with multiple teams of auditors directly reporting to me. I reported directly to the First Deputy Auditor of the Commonwealth.
Education
Graduate of Newton Public Schools
Newton North High School, Class of 1988
Merrimack College, Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Class of 1992
Why I am running for Mayor:
Newton has given me and my family everything we have and every opportunity to succeed. We’ve experienced education, employment, community life, and services. I feel after all of my years here and even serving in an elected capacity that I still owe this city. I want every resident to have the same opportunity for success as we have had in Newton. With my experience, serving as Mayor is the best way I can give back to a community that has provided so much for my family and me.
2. Why are you qualified to serve on the office of Mayor?
I have more than 20 years of proven experience as a manager and fiscal professional in the public sector at the state and federal levels and am currently a senior fiscal officer responsible for a $70 million budget. I have 16 years of service on the Newton City Council, 10 of which have been at a leadership level. I am currently President of the Council and have been elected to this role by my peers four times. This, coupled with my experience as a lifelong activist in Newton and my passion for this city, makes me the best qualified candidate to become the next Mayor of Newton.
3. Could you give us an assessment of what you think is the current “state of the city”? What are Newton’s strengths, how do you think we should build on these, and where do you see the need for change?
The state of our city is strong, and promises to get stronger.
Newton is one of the best cities in the Commonwealth for a variety of reasons. Newton has a strong education system, excellent financial planning and oversight, two of the top public safety departments in the country, an abundance of services and programs, infrastructure that is being improved every day, and easy access to anywhere in Greater Boston.
I see opportunities to improve our quality of life and the lives of those around us. We need more affordable and diverse housing options, and strategic plans for our parks, senior services, and arts and culture. Newton needs to find ways to continue leading on environmental sustainability for future generations and very importantly; we need to improve communication amongst all our residents so we can have respectful conversations that improve the social and emotional well being of our community.
4. What do you see as the role of the Mayor’s office in supporting the Newton Public Schools?
I believe the Mayor needs to be the strongest advocate for our public school system and everyone within it. Our excellent public school system is why people want to come to Newton, and it is why people in Newton want to stay here. When the Mayor talks to residents and businesses around our city and beyond, the Mayor needs to be talking about our school system.
I see the Mayor as ultimately responsible for the performance of the Newton Public Schools, and as Mayor I will do everything I can as a member of the Newton School Committee and the chief executive of the city to improve that performance.
The School Committee plays an incredibly important role in our public schools as the elected representatives of our residents, creating and approving the school budget and negotiating contracts with the school department’s various bargaining units. I believe that the School Committee and Newton Public Schools would be well served by promoting transparency and accountability when it comes to how decisions are made on all aspects of the School Department. As Mayor, I see it as my job as a member of the School Committee to ensure that the Committee’s actions are making our schools excellent places for students to learn and for staff to work.
Another part of how I envision the role in supporting our schools would be the need to be consistently visible within the schools. Obviously, I want to be part of the Lincoln Eliot community because my daughter is there and I want to be ‘Dad’ to Jenna’s experience but I also want to be visible throughout the system to support all our educators and some of the innovative and unique programming we have going on at every level.
As a product of Newton Public Schools myself, I will work to ensure that our teachers, our classrooms, and most importantly our students are well-supported, because a top-notch school system benefits all of us.
5. What do you think are some of the concerns educators in Newton face, and how do you think these affect their morale? As Mayor, what would you do to address these concerns?
Our educators need to know they are being supported by the Mayor, and that the Mayor’s office wants them to have voice in how our schools are run. One thing I have been extremely successful at, and it is a characteristic that takes time to learn, is to be a great listener. Being consistently visible throughout our system, listening, and then taking action improves morale.
Listening to concerns and taking decisive action is important. I also know that hearing ideas, experiences and empowering others to make decisions does just as much to improve morale. That kind of engagement requires recognizing great work at all levels, which helps improve overall morale. I take this approach now with my own staff. It is an approach I plan to bring with me into the Mayor’s Office.
As Council President, I have been effective in communicating and collaborating with the School Committee, Central Administration, the Mayor’s Office, and other Councilors to get things done.
There are other factors affecting educators’ morale like building maintenance issues, professional development and training opportunities, and technology advances that can be addressed by an engaged Mayor.
6. Do you support outsourcing the work of the Newton Public Schools custodians?
I do not support outsourcing the work of the Newton Public School custodians. I feel very strongly about this and as Mayor, I will actively work with the Central Administration and the School Committee to get this situation resolved. I think it is vitally important we respect the work and role the custodial staff fills in our schools, and has historically brought to our system. This staff is part of the fabric of every one of our schools.
7. What do you think Newton needs to do to make sure that it has adequate finances for its schools? Are there other ways you think Newton can assure that its school finances meet its needs?
Budgeting is about planning and responsible forecasting, being decisive and staying disciplined It takes an experienced and effective fiscal executive to accomplish this. Having a public sector management professional with day-to-day, hands-on budget experience like mine in the Mayor’s Office is extremely important to adequately address our school’s finances. As an experienced financial professional, I have learned the right questions to ask and understand what information is central to be at the forefront of any conversations.
I will advocate strongly for a more interactive budget process for the entire city when I am Mayor. It is vital to ensure that adequate funding is provided to maintain core city services from the ground level up. Consistent, on-going dialogue about the budget is not a ‘once a year necessity.’ It is a year-long process that needs to be improved in Newton. In my current job, we discuss our budget literally every pay period and compare the projections and actuals. This allows better planning as you get to the end of the fiscal year, plan for the next year, and gives the opportunity for further dialogue as to where we are going and what we can accomplish.
Additional opportunities and options that I believe need to be explored further are naming rights of services and/or capital and a robust discussion about PILOTS and SILOTS with larger institutions of higher education in our city.
Overrides for services and capital are always available but the results can be unpredictable. I will not rule out using that option, but would be extremely clear with taxpayers about what the funds would be used for and what attempts the city made to mitigate any request for an override.
The results of all of this allow us to understand what our finances are, where we are going and what we need so we can produce the best results for Newton’s students.
8. Please explain your position on the health insurance that Newton currently provides to its public employees? E.g., should Newton remain self-insured? Should it continue to offer the same plans that it currently offers? Should it move Newton employees into the GIC for their health insurance? Should it negotiate changes with its unions to the current plan design? If negotiations were unsuccessful, would you support invoking MGL 32b sections 21-23 to unilaterally change plan design or move Newton employees into the GIC?
Access to affordable health care is critical for all employees, their families, and our retirees. Health care is one of the major drivers of our budget and it is all of our responsibility to provide excellent health care while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. Each year, the city has conducted an analysis of our health care obligations and the percentage it plays in our overall budget and bottom line. We need cooperation and partnership from our bargaining units to understand how this affects us and our community. I will continue that dialogue as we look at health care obligations each year.
For the past four years, the city has conducted an analysis of our program versus the option of participating in the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC) health care program. This analysis will continue each year that I am Mayor in an effort to provide the information we need to determine the best healthcare options for all our employees. Ideally, if the loss ratio analysis continues to benefit Newton, I would retain local oversight and participation in our established plans always with an eye on our bottom line and keeping costs down.
In terms of plan offerings and options, I feel options are always better discussed with Newton’s public employees rather than having plans ‘given’ to you. I think having those discussions are healthy for members and also provides an opportunity for employees to talk about what is important to them in terms of health care coverage. I’d welcome the opportunity to talk with members about these important topics and others including health and wellness programs and incentives.
In terms of invoking unilateral changes, I am not in support of this. Any changes would be discussed directly with our bargaining units and stakeholders at the table in an open and respectful dialogue.
9. While most of the NTA’s members participate in the Massachusetts Teachers Retirement System, a large number of our members participate in the Newton Retirement system. What do you think Newton needs to do to assure the financial solvency of the pension fund? Do you believe Newton will be able to fulfill its obligations to those members?
As mentioned above, budgeting is about responsible planning and forecasting, being decisive and staying disciplined. It takes an experienced and effective fiscal executive to accomplish this. I was proud of my collaboration with the Mayor and CFO with regard to our work with the Retirement Board on the current funding plan for our pension obligations and I believe that it was the best and most fiscally responsible path for the city to take. I would not envision any modifications at this time. However, in my professional experience, it is wise to continually assess our financial position throughout the year, every year. As it currently stands, the current funding plan is aggressive and challenging. We will have to continue to closely monitor the performance of the Newton Retirement Fund in order to meet the challenge of fully funding our obligation 11 years ahead of schedule. In the event any modification was necessary, it would only be done in full collaboration with all participating stakeholders.
Once we have been able to fully fund our obligation to the Retirement Fund 11 years ahead of schedule, we will be in position to re-purpose the pension appropriations to the OPEB Trust Fund to fully fund our retiree post-employment benefits. This approach has been determined as financially sound and sustainable by our third-party actuary. Our approach to this and the pension obligation have also been positively affirmed with ‘AAA’ ratings by two different bond rating agencies. I am committed to fulfilling our obligations and our plan right now allows us to do that in an efficient and responsible way.
10. Next year, the NTA will be in the last year of a three-year contract between the Newton Public Schools and the Newton School Committee, and we will be negotiating a new contract with the School Committee to begin the following year. If you are elected Mayor, you will play an important role in these negotiations. What would your priorities be in these negotiations?
Our public employee unions are partners in providing the high-quality education and city services our residents have come to expect, and I look forward to continuing that relationship as Mayor.
While I understand negotiations are between the NTA and the School Committee, there needs to be a tone and a tenor that is instituted prior to any negotiations beginning. This is where I feel I can be part of the dialogue and be most effective. One of my top priorities in this campaign has been the importance of communication. When negotiating new contracts, communication is key. I will strive to begin the negotiation process by first putting people at the table so they can talk with each other and not at one another. This will give everyone an opportunity to understand what the parameters are, what our needs are, and how the city must balance them. If everyone can understand the big picture and where we are trying to get to it only helps upcoming negotiations. We can then clearly understand each other’s expectations, exchange information and then enter into negotiations working towards the same goal of a stable contract and what is best for the teachers, Newton’s taxpayers and most importantly our students.
11. If there is anything else you consider pertinent to your candidacy that you would like to share, please feel free to do so.
Overall, I envision a Newton government that is financially sound, responsive, transparent and interactive with residents and businesses. In terms of our school system, I have a very unique perspective as a graduate, long-term Councilor in leadership, parent of a young student and as
Mayor responsible for the school’s performance.
I envision strong collaboration between our employees throughout all levels of city government.
My goal is to make people proud to call Newton their home or where they work. It starts with
Leadership. I want a Newton that:
> Respects differences and works together by talking with one another and not at one another to solve problems;
> Develops and challenges young minds to the best of their abilities as they continue to grow to be well-rounded adolescents and young adults. I want them prepared for life beyond Newton;’
> Residents feel safe and secure in every day;
> Respects our environment and couples that respect with new ‘outside-the-box’ initiatives;
> Promotes vibrant village centers where residents want to live, work, and spend time in while traveling safely regardless of whether they are walking, biking, or driving;
> Provides our residents with parks and recreational areas that are accessible, well-cared, for, and showcase our community;
> Maintains its reputation as a leader in the arts and culture that can serve everyone, and finally;
Working together we can write the next chapter of Newton’s bright future!
Thanks Councilor Lennon.
I received several emails from Jane Franz this evening, who as most folks here know is a Newton teacher and member of the Newton Teachers Association and a regular on this site.
Jane tells me that one of the school candidates who has posted on Village 14 has submitted answers to the NTA survey that are different than the ones actually submitted to her union.
Problem is Jane won’t tell us which candidate it was, except to say that it wasn’t one of the mayor candidates.
Jane told me that this is Village 14’s “problem,” not her union’s because we’re allowing candidates to post these statements.
“You got yourself into this one. The NTA had nothing to do with the mess you’ve created,” she wrote.
I disagree but I’m interested in hearing what others think.
I think this is “on” whoever changed his/her answers. I s this an official NTA position to not share who changed his/her response? Can you determine if the change is material? That would be important to me.
OMG, Greg.
Candidates received specific instructions from NTA that the questionnaires would be shared with members only and is standing by that commitment to them. I asked Greg to print a disclaimer that the questionnaires that are printed on V14 may or may not be the ones NTA received. End of story. Except the in-between emails that were quite amusing.
Meanwhile, I hear there are some local elections coming up…
Jane you are saying that one of our school committee candidates is being dishonest but you won’t tell us which one. That’s a really irresponsible position for you and/or your union to take.
Claire-The official NTA position for years has been that it shares answers with its members. Candidates are informed of this in the instructions they receive before they decide whether to fill out the questionnaire. The NTA is committed to maintaining this policy as it was stated to candidates.
@JaneFrantz Makes sense
Greg is doing an incredible public service. Thank you!
The NTA has a policy problem, but it can be fixed. Going forward they should tell candidates that that they will be transparent and release all answers. If they don’t, this could turn into a public relations disaster. The silver lining is they won’t have to spend as much money on “Support our Teachers” yard signs.
Jane still has not answered the question of whether or not she agrees with their policy. Isn’t NTA transparency better? As Louis Brandeis said, “Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants…”
Is Jane still out there? I am worried. I hope she is OK.
I am extremely impressed with Anping Shen credentials indicating not only a personal interest in Newton Schools, but a professional commitment to education. Bonus that he will bring diversity to the School Committee. I think he has my vote!
Telling someone that a candidate changed their answers when posting to V14 from those they gave the NTA, but not telling who it is, is preceptating a rumor. These situations require not telling anyone, not my choice, or telling the whole truth. If Jane brought this up to Greg, then she has an obligation to tell who it was and provide proof. Otherwise it just breeds suspicion of everyone except the mayoral candidates.
It’s definitely not Greg’s problem for inviting candidates to post their answers. It’s the fault of the candidate who chose to give one set of answers to the NTA and another to the public. Why should only the members of the NTA know who changed their answers and not the rest of the voters? Do they want a candidate to win who would do such a thing?
This predicament illuminates the problems with a secretive policy. Obviously a candidate thought certain answers to the NTA questionnaire might sway an endorsement but different answers might sway other voters.
It also warrants a policy change.
@Marti and Jeffrey: Yes it would be great if the NTA changed its policy next time. But I think they — and we — have a MUCH BIGGER problem right now.
Jane says one of the candidates is being dishonest but won’t say who. I don’t understand how the union can ethically stand by and allow a candidate to get away with that just because they have a policy of not releasing these surveys.
What’s more important that policy or the integrity of our school committee members and, now also, the integrity our teachers who are allowing this to occur on their watch.
Just wanted to tell everyone that Anping Shen posted his answers to the survey on the earlier thread about the NTA endorsing Ray-Canada and Miller.
Anping Shen’s responses can be found here.
Full Disclosure
When my husband and I adopted our oldest kids in 1994, our social worker gave me a great piece of advice. She said that when you make mistakes- and you will- the most important thing is how you handle it, because that’s what your children learn from.
I made a mistake. In responding to the Village 14 request for a copy of my answers to the NTA survey, I sent a version that I had made minor changes to, with what I believe are minor editorial revisions. In the spirit of full disclosure, here they are:
1. In the first sentence, I submitted, ” I am the proud product of public education from Stony Brook, New Yrok, where my mother was a teacher…”
If you are the child of a teacher, the thought that you accidentally misspelled your home state’s name, in a sentence referencing Mom, in an endorsement request to a teacher’s association, is a horrible, cringe-worthy mistake, so I corrected that.
2. On question 3, the original response began, ” I promise that I have said this publicly many times, and I’m not being sycophantic- the backbone of our school quality is the excellence of our teaching.”
After I submitted my questionaire, I attended the Ward 3 debate. I spoke about how Betsy DeVos gave a speech at Harvard last month, and called people who support public education “Sycophants of the system”. Someone suggested to me that candidates should refrain from using words that some people may not understand, so I asked my two teenagers- recent NPS graduates- and neither could define sycophant. (Merriam Webster defines it as a servile, self-seeking flatterer) So I changed the sentence in my working draft to, ” I have said this publicly many times- the backbone of our school quality is the excellence of our teaching.”
I truly do not believe that either of these changes altered the tone or the intent of my statement, and I hope that I am not the candidate who was referred to. I apologize to anyone who feels misled by my statements.
Eileen Sandberg
Thanks Eileen. You did the right thing.