Budget Guidelines The Newton School Committee has directed the administration to prepare a budget that should align with system-wide goals, prioritize closing achievement gaps, provide adequate support for special education programs, develop foundational skills in math and reading, maintain infrastructure, manage class sizes, plan for long-term financial stability, develop a multi-year plan for district-wide special education programs, and encourage continuous improvement and educational excellence. Transparency, accountability, and trust among stakeholders are essential, with a summary of proposed changes and their rationale included in the budget. In creation of the FY26 Budget, the budget committee placed priorities on the following objectives: Continuous Improvement and Educational Excellence: To enhance educational excellence, the district should compile innovative ideas from the educational team as an addendum to the budget. This fosters a culture of continuous improvement and encourages collaboration among educators to drive student success. Alignment with Goals and Transparency: The budget must align with the Newton Public Schools (NPS) system-wide goals, ensuring all financial allocations support these overarching objectives. A detailed estimate reflecting only shifts in enrollment will clarify the budget's context. Transparency is essential, so the budget should include a summary of proposed changes from the previous year, articulating the rationale behind each adjustment. This fosters accountability and trust among stakeholders. Student Services and Support: Significant emphasis should be placed on closing the achievement gap in reading proficiency across all student groups. Implementing Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), along with intensive small group tutoring and targeted educator training, will help every student reach their highest potential. Additionally, proper staffing and resources for special education programs must be maintained, ensuring reasonable staff-to- student ratios to enhance program effectiveness and support the narrowing of achievement gaps, including in social-emotional learning (SEL). Foundational Skills and Curriculum Development: The budget should prioritize the continuous development of foundational skills in math and reading, emphasizing early intervention to equip all students for success. Updating curricular materials and providing corresponding professional development are crucial for aligning with these goals. Curriculum development should be seen as essential to alleviating educator burden while enhancing the quality of educational programming. Infrastructure and Maintenance: Maintaining the physical infrastructure of schools is imperative for providing safe and conducive learning environments. A comprehensive list of required expenditures for building maintenance should be included as an addendum to the budget. Additionally, the integration of technology as a foundational element of learning should be prioritized, recognizing its critical role in preparing students for a rapidly evolving workforce. Class Size Management: Managing class sizes remains a crucial priority, and the budget should highlight projected increases or decreases in class sizes and their impact on educational
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