Benjamin Schlesinger

Questions and Answers

Question 1: What prompted you to run for School Committee? Was your motivation to run for office prompted by an issue that has personal resonance for you or your neighborhood?

I care deeply about our children and the future of our community. I'm a product of NPS, I've coached youth sports here since 1997 and I’ve been involved at Zervas for years. In watching the School Committee, I’ve come to believe I can contribute in meaningful ways. As a proud Newton North graduate, I know the potential of our schools. With an outstanding superintendent and committed educators, if we surround them with a School Committee of collaborative problem solvers committed to delivering the highest quality education, we can strengthen and elevate the reputation of our schools.

Question 2: What is your understanding of the role of the School Committee in the operations of Newton Public Schools?

The School Committee has five responsibilities: 1) Hire and review the superintendent; 2) Review and approve the budget; 3) Determine educational goals and policies; 4) Manage collective bargaining; 5) Communicate with the community. The superintendent runs the schools. On the School Committee, I will start every topic by listening and asking questions; of the superintendent, her team, our families, our educators, and the community. The School Committee is at its best when its members are able to take in all that feedback and synthesize it into guidance that helps the superintendent build and operate the system that our community wants.

Question 3: How do you define educational excellence in the Newton Public Schools?

Excellence means creating an environment where every student can thrive. Our schools must recognize that students have different needs, abilities, and potentials—and meet them with opportunities that challenge each child in healthy ways. Excellence balances academic rigor and care: holding high expectations while supporting students’ well-being, so every NPS graduate can succeed in a complex world. Excellence means having outstanding educators, energized about helping our students reach their goals. And it means measuring outcomes by achievement of data-driven goals, so we can be certain we are doing what we set out to do.

Question 4: In tight budget years, how would you prioritize funding allocations with respect to class sizes; funding of music, arts and languages; breadth of programming at the high schools; student’s mental health; and competitive salaries for teachers and staff? What other budget priorities do you think are important?

I would prioritize manageable class sizes, because strong relationships between teachers and students are the foundation for learning, and because layoffs are demoralizing to our educators. Our various interventionists, both behavioral and academic (MTSS) are critical - our students require more support than ever, and investing early pays long-term dividends. I would also protect core programs that define a Newton education—music, arts, and world languages. And if we want to have the best schools, we need to have the best educators, so we must ensure our total compensation package allows us to attract and retain the best educators.