Jason Bhardwaj

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?

My interest developed organically, starting with interest in my children’s academic experience.
Acknowledging every kid’s needs are different, in his early years at NPS, my son liked math at home, but would return from school saying, “I hate math; it’s so boring”. Investigating that as a parent led me to continually find more ways to engage – culminating in a desire to support NPS more broadly in this way.
This was further fueled by both a sense of respect and importance for education, with educators in my family, as well as an energy for representing our community that cares so deeply about NPS.

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

The Committee principally sets policy and priority (not curricula), assesses the superintendent, approves budgets, and negotiates key contracts.
In accomplishing these, I see particular value in being a conduit for voices in the Newton community. I also believe listening to our educators is critical.
Finally, I’d seek to emulate the more impactful board members I worked with as a company CEO. In general, they have a) pushed thinking forward with impactful questions, b) participated actively in balanced and data-driven decision-making, and c) once a collective decision is reached, been incredible “cheerleaders” for the team and organization.

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

Every child is challenged and supported according to his or her needs and abilities. Educators are supported and valued, with best-in-class curriculum, resources, and professional development. Our graduates leave NPS with a love of learning and the confidence and skills to reach their full potential.

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?

None of these are easy trade-offs. It would be hard to call ourselves “excellent” if we made meaningful cuts to any of these areas. So, the key will be to partner with city leadership and our community to ensure a responsible budgetary path to avoid such painful cuts.
I do have particular energy for, once we find a path to a sustainable “level-service” budget, finding additional budget for more nimble, targeted educational interventions (labeled “MTSS”) advocated by our superintendent. Piloted in some of our schools, this has shown the ability to not only drive better educational outcomes, but also reduce higher-cost interventions over time.