“In my 44 years [in government], this is the most irresponsible, destructive motion that I have ever seen,” said Finance Chair Gentile about the resolution presented by Councilor Oliver at the City Council meeting on May 15.

The motion called for arbitrary reductions to almost all other city departments summing to the amount of the NPS budget shortfall. Councilor Lucas opined: “I don’t like this resolution, I love it. This is what we need to do more.”

Although the motion was soundly rejected, it demonstrates the insidious appeal of DOGE-style cuts, and it furthers the specious narrative that funding some city services requires cutting others.

More financial savvy is urgently needed at City Council so that Newton can effectively use available financial instruments to relieve budget pressures, meet obligations, and preserve our credit rating.

A governing approach reminiscent of management consultancies has dominated our School Committee for the past decade. Its focus on cost-cutting and ‘efficiencies’ has not worked and is inconsistent with Superintendent Nolin’s vision of a thriving NPS. Public schools are long-term investments, not profit centers demanding ‘efficiencies.’ Short-term thinking and drastic service cuts have hurt students and will negatively affect our city’s future.

Superintendent Nolin needs the financial support of City Hall and the support of a School Committee with experience-based understanding of policies and practices that restore public school systems to thriving and enable students to excel.

We need more finance professionals elected to City Council and more public education experts elected to our School Committee.

Enrique Rosero
NPS Parent
Newton Centre