The Newton School Committee voted to not adopt a new advisory panel that some saw as opposed to diversity initiatives. Some school leaders said the meetings aren’t as confrontational as they were at the height of the pandemic, though the public comment period during a recent public forum got heated over a discussion on student mental health.ĭisruptions to school leadership and political clashes have placed a spotlight on other Massachusetts school districts in recent months.

“We’ve had the police presence several times in our meetings just because of the flavor out there with some people who were so angry.” “What was sort of startling to me was the anger,” White said. They approve the district’s budget, help shape education policy and hire a superintendent. School committees are usually made up of volunteers, elected by the community’s residents.

Residents sent harsh emails over policies and public comment periods became combative, she said. White, who served on the school committee since 2017, said she felt the temperature rise during the coronavirus pandemic. “I’m ready to pass the torch to the next generation of people who will be carrying this work forward.” “It probably did play some role,” said Rosmarin, former chair of the committee. But they also acknowledged that the tone during some school committee meetings turned more negative recently, and public sentiment may have influenced their decision not to seek reelection. They each took nearly 50% of the vote, according to the town’s unofficial results.īoth White and Rosmarin said they were ready to retire. Loring and Qiu won their bids for a three-year term in an April 25 election, defeating two other candidates. Mark Loring and Bao Qiu filled two of the six seats opened by the departures of Elizabeth White and Ada Rosmarin, who stepped down after six years each on the board. The district has an entirely new school committee than it did at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, officials said. The schools face overcrowding, and recently caught the attention of a right-leaning nonprofit critical of its extra-help program for students of color. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)įresh off a school committee election, Milton education officials said they hope the district can cool from a period of anxiety and tackle a slate of contentious issues. Facebook Email The Pierce Middle School in Milton.

Milton township 2018 candidates