At its April 10th meeting, the PTO Council voted overwhelmingly in support of the following statement:

After careful consideration and reflection, Newton PTO Council has voted to support the override on May 20th. 

Newton schools provide a wonderful learning environment for our children.  The strong community surrounding the schools is part of what makes Newton a special place to live and raise children.  Unfortunately, we are now in a position where the resources needed to maintain the schools require an override.  This is not unique to Newton.  More than 50 cities and towns will vote on overrides this spring mostly due to rising costs of energy, health insurance, and state mandates.  An override will provide elected officials with time to develop and implement more difficult and complex long-term solutions to the structural deficit. 

This override will help keep class sizes small enough for children of all abilities and ages to receive individual attention.  Social workers can continue to provide services important to supporting families and students.  The school buildings can be cleaned and maintained at a reasonable level.  The literacy and math curricula can continue to improve with support from specialists at the elementary school level.

We cannot ignore the anger of many parents and community members over the cost of Newton North and the effect of this anger on override support.  However, our community must understand that whatever the outcome of the override vote, the new high school has been approved and will be built.  Those voters who vote against the override to send a message about Newton North will only hurt the students, particularly those who are most vulnerable.

We have a responsibility as a community to do what it best for our children, as others have done in past generations.  Our city has a wonderful legacy of high quality education.  Help us maintain it by voting YES on May 20.