Newton School Budget: Technology, School Space Top List of Resident Concerns

Technology, health care costs and school building projects were the key concerns among residents Thursday night at a brief public hearing on the Newton School Department's fiscal 2014 budget. 

The hearing lasted roughly a half an hour, with only eight residents standing up to speak. 

Waban parent and PTO member Josh Weiss addressed the committee about technology funding in the schools, and a need for a more "strategic" funding plan to get devices into classrooms.

"My feeling is that there really is an infrastructure crisis in Newton," Weiss said. "What is missing is a consideration of educational infrastructure and it needs to be funded appropriately."

Technology funding has also been a consistent concern with Ward 1 committee member Geoff Epstein, who abstained in the budget straw vote last week.

"I'm happy with 98 percent of the budget," Epstein said during last week's straw vote. "It's a problem for me when we're going ahead into the digital education age...and we keep funding digital infrastructure at a 50 percent level."

. The committee is poised to take a final vote on the $187.7 million budget tonight at 7 p.m. in the Education Center.

Although there were some concerns brought up Thursday, there was also much praise for the School Department during the hearing, as parents commended officials on the budget priorities. In particular, parents commended the funding for extra classroom space as well as the expansion and restructuring of the district's special education programs. 

"This budget reflects the investment that we need to be making in our schools and in our students," said Vernon Street resident and School Committee candidate Ellen Gibson. 

Despite the praise for some added classrooms, several residents also stood up to voice concerns about long-term space plans in Newton.

Newton Upper Falls residents Mark and Maxine Bridger spoke to the committee about the School Department's plans for new schools as it handles increased student enrollment. 

Maxine Bridger shared her concerns about the way Upper Falls students are bused "all over the place" (to different schools), as the village's former Emerson School was closed a few decades ago.

"I support Newton schools, I support this budget, but I think the children in Newton Upper Falls are not getting a fair deal in this situation," Maxine Bridger said.

As the School Committee considers its long-term planning for student enrollment, Maxine Bridger suggested building a 16th elementary school in Upper Falls. Or, she suggested the possibility of moving a rebuilt Zervas Elementary to Upper Falls.

Mark Bridger also encouraged the committee to do a "serious study" the costs of rebuilding Zervas where it is today, or if it is feasible to find land for it in Upper Falls.

In terms of space, Newton Corner resident Norman Wirtz also brought up the possibility of using space at the former Aquinas College, and encouraged the committee to consider the former school for future classroom space.

"It just seems to me [Aquinas] ought to get into the plan somewhere," Wirtz said.

Wirtz also shared his concerns with the amount the School Department spends on health care, and encouraged officials to look closely at the costs for its health insurance program. 

What do you think about the possibility of a 16th elementary school in Newton Upper Falls? What about relocating Zervas? How should technology funding be addressed in the budget? Share your ideas in the comments section below.

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