Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story referred to three candidates as “NTA-backed” but the NTA has not officially endorsed any candidates.

It’s a rare thing for a mayoral candidate to do in Newton, but Marc Laredo has published a full list of endorsements for School Committee in the upcoming local election.

“As your next Mayor, the Newton Public Schools will be my top priority,” Laredo wrote in an campaign announcement to his email subscribers Friday morning. “As I have stated previously, it is where nearly two-thirds of our tax dollars go; strong schools are good for our property values; and we have a moral obligation—part of our societal compact—to provide an outstanding education to our community’s children, regardless of whether we have kids in the public schools ourselves. Providing an exceptional education is vital to the success and well-being of our entire community.”

It’s an unusual election year for Newton because only two incumbent School Committee members are seeking reelection, and one of those has only been on the committee since April, so she’s still new.

This comes at a time when Newton will also get a new mayor—Mayor Ruthanne Fuller is not running for a third term—and the mayor serves on the School Committee and determines the NPS operating budget amount each year. And the new School Committee will have to deal with whatever cuts come from the federal and state levels.

So, who does Laredo say would help the district provide that “exceptional education” in these strange times?

• Ward 1: Adrianna Proia
• Ward 2: Linda Swain
• Ward 3: Jason Bhardwaj
• Ward 4: Tamika Olszewski
• Ward 5: Ben Schlesinger
• Ward 6: Jonathan Greene
• Ward 7: Alicia Piedalue
• Ward 8: Victor Lee

Laredo did not endorse any of the four candidates who all announced their campaigns together in the spring. One of them, Bruce Hedison, was slated to run for the Ward 7 seat but never turned in his nomination papers. The other three—Jenna Miara, Mali Brodt and Jim Murphy—are still going strong in their respective races.

“In making my endorsements, I have selected strong, independent candidates who will voice their individual perspectives—and at times disagree with one another and with me—while working together collaboratively and effectively to further the best interests of our students,” Laredo wrote.

School Committee seats are voted on citywide, even though candidates come from each ward.

Newton’s local election will be Nov. 4.