“Couldn’t be more different than last summer” — Superintendent Anna Nolin
Superintendent Anna Nolin and all nine members of the School Committee, including Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, met for approximately three hours starting at 4:30PM on July 24 for a summer session to begin to plan the Newton Public Schools (NPS) 2024-2025 school year.
Two new NPS Central Office hires — Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education Dr. Gene Roundtree and Director of Communications and Family Engagement Christina Maryland — were present and conversing with Committee members prior to the start of the meeting before departing. The Fig City News reporter was the only other person present. The meeting was not recorded.
After an initial icebreaking exercise wherein members shared personal values, the Committee discussed a wide range of topics in a more open and conversational manner than in their typical meetings, when the Committee Chair must recognize a member prior to their speaking. Superintendent Nolin generally led the discussion by sharing updates, previewing plans for the coming year, asking for guidance, and answering questions from Committee members.
Communications. NPS communications to the community was discussed, particularly regarding sensitive political and global events. Some members felt that any communication that was not solely focused on what NPS is providing students who are processing world events, but instead was aimed at messaging to the wider community, was inappropriate and would always offend some members of the community not aligned with the message. Other members expressed that the community has been conditioned to expect NPS’s view on major topics, and it would be “callous” to avoid acknowledging when families are experiencing trauma due to certain events. The hypothetical example used was if the assassination attempt of Donald Trump occurred during the school year.
Superintendent Nolin stated the Massachusetts…