BRODT’S NOTES

the newsletter of Mali’s campaign

May 26, 2025

Content:

• YARD SIGNS AND ENDORSEMENTS

• NPS BUDGET COMPROMISE

• CONVERSATIONS ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

• MAKE A DIFFERENCE

• UPCOMING EVENTS

Yard signs and endorsements

I’m proud to have the endorsement of so many residents that weave the fabric of our community. From volunteers and leaders of non-profits to city councilors and commission members, many fellow parents, professionals, and community members are supporting our campaign. If you haven’t, please consider adding your name to the growing list of endorsers at: https://www.mali4newton.org/view-endorsements

You may also have seen our signs going up across town. I am so grateful to those helping us gain visibility throughout Newton. Although I’m running for the Ward 6 position, all Newton voters can vote for this at-large position (hence the importance to run a city-wide campaign). Yard signs are *free*, and our volunteers deliver; please order yours today at: https://www.mali4newton.org/yard-sign

NPS budget compromise

I want to recognize the work of Chair Breszki, Superintendent Nolin, Mayor Fuller, City Councilors, and especially all the parents and advocates from Fully Fund NPS who made the case for supporting the level-services-plus budget for this year. The compromise reached will result in no teacher layoffs. Bridging the gap relies, however, on monies allocated from Free Cash as one-time funding for items we all know belong in the operating budget. I would have preferred if the Mayor had chosen to make funds available to NPS through contributions to the Stabilization Fund, which would have allowed the School Committee to alleviate the most pressing needs. Instead, protracted negotiations focused on finding projects that could be seen by the Mayor’s office as deserving of the ‘one-time’ label. 

In my view, there are four outstanding issues to tackle: (1) formulate a plan for contingencies currently not funded (such as the kindergarten aides); (2) ensure that NPS budget is correctly accounted and fully transparent such that a base increase for next year’s allocation takes into account the real cost of operating NPS; (3) make the case to our community that there is a systemic funding shortfall that City Hall must address, tackling both cost escalation and—critically— insufficient revenue; and (4) collaborate with City Council, our NTA partners, and the incoming mayoral administration to stay ahead of budget conversations so that we are not, once again, scrambling at the last minute to find funds to keep NPS services intact.

Community advocacy for NPS proved effective and not performative. However, parents and community members are exhausted by having to engage in repeated NPS-funding crises. I look forward to chart a new way forward that focuses on proactively addressing problems and collaboratively working to find solutions to these solvable challenges. 

Conversations on the campaign trail

I continue to hold many conversations centered around these main ideas:

• Newton Schools continue to be excellent, yet there is plentiful work to be done.
• Newtonians want a public school system that allows all students to thrive, that addresses all students’ needs, and that meets multiple measures of excellence.
• My valuable experience in education and my knowledge of school systems and programing allow me to deeply understand the issues and to help formulate viable solutions.
• Schools are important to all residents in our city. They are integral to our reputation, are a reflection of our values, are an investment in our future, and are the foundation of our community. We all care.

I am grateful to everyone who wants to share their perspective. I would love the opportunity to listen to more viewpoints: I’m happy to attend a gathering with your friends and neighbors.

• Forums on the present and future of NPS

  Progressive Newton invited me to participate in a forum with NPS students and other School Committee candidates about solving the challenges our schools face. I was asked to weigh in on a range of topics from academic quality (especially multi-level classrooms), the role of advocacy to ensure adequate funding, my thoughts on the ideal relationship between staff and the School Committee, and the relationship between DEI and excellence in the Trump years. The Newton Beacon reported it some of my thoughts (https://www.newtonbeacon.org/school-committee-candidates-talk-multi-level-classrooms-and-more/).

  

  I want to share my response to one of the questions addressing the mental health crisis:

  Question: In addressing issues such as academic quality, social and learning environments, what do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of NPS? How can we build on our strengths while addressing our weaknesses?

  Answer: “We all talk about the role of social media, but there are a lot of reasons why kids are more anxious today and [have] diagnosable mental health problems. One thing that needs to be addressed in Newton is the need for stronger partnerships between parents and schools. We need to rebuild the trust so that can happen. People depend on the schools. Schools are the main place where kids receive mental health services. In order for that to be effective, we need strong partnerships with families. We need mental health support starting from early grades. We have amazing SEL resources (which most districts do not have) in addition to social workers and school psychologists, but it’s about creating strong and supportive school cultures and climates for those early interventions to be effective.” 

   

  I also attended the last NPS Thrive forum hosted jointly by NTA and NPS administration at the Newton North auditorium. We heard from educators across all levels who are stretched too thin, given the challenges of COVID and its aftermath and the ongoing budgetary pressures. They told us that facilities do not reflect our standard of excellence. We heard that systems of support do work, and they are worth the investment. Finally, it’s clear that schools today play multiple roles different than they did in the past, and that this increased demand must be accounted for in budgeting. 

• Village Day in Waban

I completed the collection of signatures at the Waban Village Day. Thank you!

Newton voters are telling me that NPS is the jewel of our community. Residents care about our schools, recognize the important role schools play in our community, and are invested in its success. I also heard many ideas for what can be improved. People are tired of the negativity and messaging that pits the needs of students against each other or other groups in our city (e.g. seniors). There is a strong desire for stakeholders to work together to address issues and to have that process be more transparent. 

Make a difference

A message from our Treasurer, Lindsey Gulden:

Our grassroots campaign is powered by your donations. Getting the word out takes time and resources.  $100 buys 150 palm cards, or 10 yard signs, or postcards to reach 100 households.

Please consider making a financial contribution by check to 

COMMITTEE TO ELECT MALI BRODT
P.O. BOX 610062
NEWTON HIGHLANDS, MA 02461

Or online at: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mali4newton or using the QR code below

Thank you for your support!

Upcoming events

• Wed. May 28: Mayor Mann’s breakfast

  I’ll be joining city leaders at this Newton tradition.

• Th. May 29: FORJ End-of-year picnic

  I’m looking forward to connecting with Families Organizing for Racial Justice and celebrating their accomplishments this year.

• Sun. Jun 1: Nonantum Village Day

  We love this family friendly event, especially the food.

• Sun. Jun 8: Highlands Village Day

  After attending my twin daughters’ graduation from the inaugural Jewish Story Lab course at the JCC, I’ll stop by to greet our neighbors.

• Th. Jun 19: Juneteenth celebration

  An afternoon of community spirit and unity to mark the special day: 160 years since the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation.

COMMITTEE TO ELECT MALI BRODT
P.O. BOX 610062
NEWTON HIGHLANDS, MA 02461