Latest Update -
October 2025
We appreciate the ongoing community conversations about the future of our school buildings. The recent update from the city indicates that we have some time before any changes are expected, with 2034 as the soonest target date. This gives us a wonderful opportunity to stay informed and actively participate in the planning process. We know how passionate our school community is, and we encourage you to join the meetings in person or virtually if possible.
The Newton School Committee along with Dr. Anna Nolin and her team will share information about the facilities long range plan update, the MSBA process, and will provide an opportunity for community input regarding submission of a Statement of Interest (SOI) to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for renovation, replacement or consolidation of Ward and Underwood Elementary Schools.
Special Hybrid School Committee Community Meeting-October 23 & October 28, 2025
Dates:
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: In person at Bigelow Middle School
48 Vernon Street, Newton, MA in the Auditorium &
Remotely: via ZOOM
Public Hearing Notice Newton School Committee on November 6
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: In Person at Education Center, 100 Walnut Street, room 210 & Remotely: via ZOOM
Archived Update - July 19, 2024
Dear Ward & Underwood Communities,
For the last several months, the School Committee has been discussing the state of our elementary school facilities and how to manage future renovations and replacements of buildings. We understand the working groups formed pre-pandemic and again in 2022-23 to study the future of Ward and Underwood schools has created some anxiety in your communities. Therefore, as part of our deliberations on this matter, the Committee felt it appropriate to make a statement to the Ward and Underwood communities: While we cannot yet say for certain how the City and NPS will ultimately manage the replacement and/or renovation of aging facilities such as Ward and Underwood, we expect each of these buildings to remain open for at least the next five years.
The current work being done at Lincoln-Eliot, Horace Mann, Countryside and Franklin will consume the City's financial and logistical capacity for at least that time period. While this may provide certainty for some, we understand it may trouble others that it will be at least five years until there are major improvements. We understand that the conditions of both Ward and Underwood are below what we expect from NPS facilities. The Committee is committed to developing a path forward for your communities as soon as practical. These discussions will continue into the fall.
Please reach out to the School Committee or NPS administration with any questions or concerns. Thank you and enjoy your summer vacations.
Newton School Committee