Newton’s School Committee election has another contender entering the ring.

Ben Schlesinger, lifelong Newtonian and AI tech professional, is running to represent Ward 5 on the School Committee. That seat is currently held by Vice Chair Emily Prenner, who is not running for reelection.

“I’m running with one clear priority: putting kids first,” Schlesinger said. “To me, that means keeping students at the center of every decision—and making sure our classrooms are strong, well-supported spaces for learning. That includes providing every student with the opportunity to grow to their fullest potential in an environment where great teaching is supported and all children feel seen, challenged, and encouraged.”

A lifelong Newtonian, Schlesinger attended Cabot Elementary School as well as the Day and Bigelow middle schools before going on to Newton North High School. His father, Alan Schlesinger is an attorney, and his mother, Susan, worked as a medical social worker before she retired.

Schlesinger earned his bachelor’s degree in politics and economics from Brandeis and his MBA from MIT.

He played youth sports as a kid and would later become a coach alongside his dad.

Schlesinger and his wife, Iris, have two kids—son, Noah, age 11, and daughter, Julia, age 8—attending Zervas Elementary School in Waban. Schlesinger served on the advisory committees to find the current superintendent and Zervas principal.

Schlesinger said he wants Newton to have a School Committee “that maintains a mutually respectful relationship with our educators–one that hears their voices and empowers our superintendent to support them effectively.”

“I believe we can foster a culture of collaboration that uplifts both our teachers and our students,” he said.

Schlesinger runs his own tech operations consulting startup company, helping organizations problem solve and grow in a variety of fields including defense and telecommunications.

“I believe those skills—combined with a deep love for this city and a genuine understanding of Newton’s culture and politics—make me uniquely positioned to serve as a thoughtful, effective, and collaborative School Committee member,” he said.

The School Committee has spent a lot of the past two years in the spotlight, with a 16-month teacher contract negotiation escalating into a two-week strike in 2024 and a budget battle this year that pitted the committee between the superintendent  and the mayor.

“Our schools should be a source of pride and unity—not frustration or division. I’m running to help restore that sense of shared purpose and to ensure that Newton’s schools continue to be the heart of this community,” Schlesinger said. “I’m ready to listen, to lead, and to keep kids at the center of every decision we make.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: Ben Schlesinger’s father, Alan Schlesinger, is a member of the Newton Beacon Board of Directors.