Summary of meeting with
Superintendent Fleishman
Superintendent
Fleishman and school committee members Margaret Albright and Bridget Ray Canada
presented an update on key initiatives for the system for this year. Two topics
— redistricting and moving to the Carr building on Nevada Street — were of great
interest to those there. Here are some bullet points from our discussion;
- The planned move for September, 2019, is 90 percent certain. The name of school will remain the same, Horace Mann Elementary.
- Redistricting will be decided by September 2018 and will go into place September 2019. To get updates about the redistricting and to be able to comment on the proposed scenarios, visit www.newton.k12.ma.us or email SAWG@newton.k12.ma.us. You can sign up there to receive email updates from the Student Area Working Group.
- The move and the redistricting will not affect current students or their siblings. Students currently enrolled will also stay on their current track for middle school, regardless of redistricting.
- Phase two of redistricting will look at new transportation including, buses and crossing guards.
- The issue of whether or not we can move the playground with us is up to Parks and Rec.
Other
notes from meeting:
The
school committee has been dealing with facilities for years. In the last ten
years, the student population has grown by 1,500.
The
school committee believes the elementary level has plateaued. They have moved
some district lines on the South side and are now going to adjust some lines on
the North side.
Challenge
for North side is that population is very dense. In addition, the schools are
all close together, giving neighbors options for schools.
The
goal for redistricting is to fill the new school to 90 percent capacity.
Next
year’s budget is being considered, and will focus on staffing at the high
school. Reinstating the library staff to full-time is not being considered for
next year.
Dr. Fleishman was
thanked for his support of FORJ. He mentioned how important initiatives on
equity in the classroom really are, and how much effort is now going into
building a systemic response to bias so that education is ongoing.
