Christine Fisher

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’m running because Newton needs leaders with both expertise and presence. With experience in education initiatives and finance, I know how to connect student outcomes to financial priorities. As a parent, I value transparency and communication—families deserve to be heard, informed, and respected. I will bring strong, independent leadership focused on ensuring every child thrives and every family knows their voice matters.

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

The School Committee sets goals & policy, approves budgets, and holds leadership accountable. It should not manage daily operations but must ensure oversight and transparency. Just as important, the role requires showing up by listening to families, communicating clearly, and being present in the community. The School Committee has a role to play in bringing student and parent perspective to data based decision making.

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

Excellence means every student reaches their potential. That requires strong academics, arts, extracurriculars, and supports for all learners. With an equity lens, we can meet individual needs by providing more rigor for those ready for it and increasing supports for those who need them. Excellence is achieved when every child has the tools and opportunities to succeed and every family can see progress toward that goal.

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’ve spent my career helping organizations manage budgets and set priorities. With limited funds, every dollar must be tied to measurable outcomes. Much of the budget is fixed by contracts and inflation, so we must understand where choices exist. Within those areas, I would prioritize investments that most directly impact student outcomes, like class sizes and MTSS. I believe in pairing data with community input and building trust by listening, explaining trade-offs, and communicating decisions clearly.