In my weekly newsletter (see Gmail – Amy Sangiolo’s Newton Community Update (06_01_20), I report that the City Council will hold a special, informal, virtual meeting on Wednesday, June 3rd at 4:00 p.m. to hear Matt Hills’ assessment of NPS Finances. To view this meeting, use this link at the above date and time: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86583074356 . This should be very interesting, given the hundreds of layoffs just announced in Brookline…..
City Council invites Former School Committee Chair to give assessment of NPS Finances
by Amy Sangiolo | Jun 1, 2020 | Newton | 10 comments
This could be really interesting. And an excellent idea to get some broader input into the budget review process. Note this excerpt from a recent State House News story. If he’s right, then the current budget proposal from the Mayor is insufficient with regard to the amount of money that needs to be cut to achieve a balanced budget.
“Hills said his view is that it’s ‘probably beyond crazy for individual districts to think there’s going to be any increase in Chapter 70 and circuit breaker funding over last year.’
“‘I don’t know what level, but realistically, when the state’s expenses are ballooning and revenue’s sort of dramatically declining, it probably means that large budget accounts are likely to go down, unless money just falls from heaven or from the federal government,’ he said. ‘Is that a pessimistic view or a realistic view, understanding we just don’t know?'”
Superintendent Fleishman just announced the hiring of Kathy Lopes, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Does anyone know whether this a new position?
It’s a new position per my contact at Tab who received fleishman email with announcement. Which based on NPS cutting jobs this new position doesn’t look good. Who am I to speak.
Amy, this meeting has been canceled since you posted this, just as a head’s up.
@Bill Humphrey –
Any insight on who cancelled and why????? I was really looking forward to tuning in as Matt is not only a former Newton School Committee chair but has since been appointed by Gov. Baker to BESE (Board of Elementary and Secondary Education).
Fred – do you know that NPS is cutting jobs? While this seems like an obvious thing to do, especially since they and the mayor are laying the foundation for keeping the kids home from school in the fall, the email I got indicated we would not be following Brookline’s lead.
Go here: http://www.newtonma.gov/civicax/filebank/documents/103567
to review the FY2021 Proposed School Department Budget. See pages 20-23 to see what has increased or decreased.
Someone got their “under’s” and “over’s” mixed up …
“The impact of COVID-19 for our students, staff, and families cannot be underestimated”
Budget looks pretty flat. FTE change looked minor. Granted it was only a quick skim but are there points of concern? Is this budget set or are reductions coming?
Enrollment down slightly, total budget up 2.9% while the city’s finances (I assume) are headed towards a big Covid19-caused hole. Doesn’t sound too realistic. That said, I’ll be the first to admit I know next to nothing about city finances.