NCSD schedules master planning town halls Aug. 15, 21

Newton Community School District has scheduled the two town hall meetings to further discuss the master planning proposals, but times and locations have not yet been determined. Information released by the school district said the town halls would be held Tuesday, Aug. 15 and Monday, Aug. 21.

School board members decided the town halls were necessary after responses from a community survey said residents needed clearer information before the district made any final decision on facility reconfiguration plans, which could ultimately close two elementary school buildings.

The school district publicly announced its master planning timeline on June 28. At the same time, administrators sought input from residents in the form of a Google survey, which resulted in about 119 responses, superintendent Tom Messinger said. Online responses from residents were mixed.

Some seemed surprised by the announcement, although the school district had been seriously working through the master planning process for the past year. Survey responses proved there were clear concerns about the proposed reconfiguration, which was estimated to start in 2024 and end in 2027 or 2028.

In July, a number of residents showed up to a school board meeting to offer feedback about the proposal, which many admitted that no matter what officials ultimately decided on not everyone would be happy with the decision or outcome. Jordan Bell acknowledged that sentiment in her comments to the board.

“As uncomfortable as this time is, and as much as no one wants to see change in the district, it’s necessary for the overall health and quality of our schools,” Bell said. “This is our chance to be innovative, to keep students in our district and to draw new families into Newton.”