At the first in-person school committee meeting of the academic year, committee members reflected on the year past as well as upcoming policy issues, including the use of artificial intelligence and the presence of immigration enforcement activity in Newton.
Superintendent Anna Nolin introduced Christina Maryland as the district’s new chief of access and engagement, a role that will encompass DEI-related responsibilities that were cut in half by budget cuts made last spring. Maryland’s previous role as the director of communications for the district will be handled by a new part-time employee.
The committee discussed the state’s new legislation known as the PROTECT Act, preventing federal immigration and customs enforcement from conducting arrests without a warrant or court order at courthouses, public schools, childcare centers, health care facilities and on state property.
Mayor Marc Laredo pushed to adopt the act in Newton, essentially codifying what the city already does in practice, according to the school committee. The motion passed unanimously.
Nolin also gave a presentation showing promising data on NPS students’ test scores. Notably, 84% and 78% of kindergarten students tested as meeting or exceeding expectations in literacy and math, respectively. The gap between test scores across elementary schools also decreased, demonstrating greater curriculum alignment, according to the district.
“I just want to say how proud I am of our teachers and of the results that we have made,” she said. “I think it’s important for us to note this because we spend a lot of time talking about the things that need to be fixed in the system.”
Nolin also highlighted the district’s Community Connections program, which provides students ages 18 to 22 with volunteer opportunities and vocational training, as well as 18 NPS programs that took place this past summer.
Gene Roundtree, assistant superintendent of secondary education and special programs, presented proposed changes to the Newton North High School and Newton South High School student handbooks for the upcoming academic year.
Artificial intelligence use without teacher approval and consultation will now be considered academic dishonesty, and students who are more than 20 minutes late to class will be considered absent, down from 30 minutes.
Tyler Vazquez, student member of the school committee and a senior at Newton North High School, questioned several aspects of the handbook, including the classroom cell phone ban.
“Students will feel better being in a school environment without their phones when a school environment is provided where they don’t have to worry about school shootings,” he said. “That’s not necessarily in our jurisdiction right now, but I do want us to keep in mind that there are a number of different concerns.”
Vazquez also brought up the closing of school buildings 20 minutes after the end of the school day, except for those participating in an extracurricular activity, which sometimes leaves students outside in the cold waiting for a ride home. He additionally expressed concern about the possible racial profiling of students who are questioned by teachers and staff for being in the hallways during class time.
The committee will vote on the proposed handbook changes on Sept. 28.
The committee approved the creation of an interest-bearing account to house a $25,000 scholarship fund donated by the class of 1963 for Newton high school students, and heard an update from the principal of Horace Mann Elementary School, Mark Nardelli, who gave the new building a stellar review.
“It’s bright. It’s just bathed in sunlight, no matter where you go,” he said. “The library media center, when you walk in, is just a place where you can see yourself cozying up with a book or engaging with the new technology that we have. It’s really incredible.”
Mayor Marc Laredo is hosting one of his “Laredo Listens” sessions at the school at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, giving community members an opportunity to see the new renovations.
Laredo said the city is soon to begin feasibility studies on renovating Newton South High School and the Ward and Underwood elementary schools. The city is also exploring purchasing the old Family ACCESS building for the Newton Police Department after the family services nonprofit closed in May.
Nolin shared that a number of facilities projects took place during the summer:
- Burr Elementary School roof, sinks, cabinets, elevator tank and air conditioning wiring
- F.A. Day Middle School toilet room, ceilings, freezer and refrigerator and LED lighting
- Peirce Elementary School lockers, driveway paving, wiring
- Williams Elementary School toilet room floors, service toilet room floors
- Mason Rice Elementary School wiring, corridors, LED lighting
- Ward Elementary air conditioning wiring
- Oak Hill Middle School music room, auditorium carpet
- Brown Middle School ceilings, cameras, office space, corridor doors
- Newton South High School locker rooms, vinyl flooring, roofing
- Education Center nurses’ office, bathrooms
Nolin added that a bee infestation at both Burr and Bowen Elementary School were also addressed.
A team from F.A. Day Middle School presented their proposal to rename the school’s gymnasium after Head Custodian John Carvelli, who worked for the district for more than 52 years before retiring in June.
Health and physical education teacher Adam Lunin said Carvelli’s dedication to maintaining the gym and helping to set up for events has impacted thousands of students over the years.
“The programs that we run at Day don’t exist without the work that John Carvelli and his staff does,” Lunin said.
The committee will take up the proposal again at the next meeting to give the community time to share their opinions on the potential naming of the gym, in accordance with district policy on the naming of school facilities.
The school committee will next meet on Sept. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Education Center on Walnut Street.