In March, the School Committee was tasked with closing a roughly $8.2-million budget gap for fiscal year 2026, which starts July 1. After weeks of deliberation — and not without controversy — the School Committee closed the gap on May 1. Beginning in March, administrators including Superintendent Linus Guillory and Brookline High School Head of School Anthony… Continue reading Here is every cut the School Committee has made to next year’s budget
Author: Vivi Smilgius
A gas leak, a lost job, and a legal fight: How a Brookline special education teacher ‘disappeared’
A natural gas leak at the Lincoln School. A slew of medical complications — and later, life-changing diagnoses. A job lost, then a position eliminated, allegedly leaving students without special education services. And now, complicated and drawn-out legal battles with the state and the district. These events encompass the past year and a half for… Continue reading A gas leak, a lost job, and a legal fight: How a Brookline special education teacher ‘disappeared’
Deputy superintendent Jodi Fortuna to depart at end of school year
Jodi Fortuna, Brookline’s deputy superintendent of teaching and learning, will depart from her position at the end of June, becoming the third high-ranking administrator to leave the school district in the last six months. Fortuna is leaving to take on the role of superintendent of the Lunenburg Public Schools in central Massachusetts, she told Brookline.News.… Continue reading Deputy superintendent Jodi Fortuna to depart at end of school year
Three new principals set to lead K-8 schools next year
Public Schools of Brookline Superintendent Linus Guillory recently selected two interim principals and one outside candidate to fill open principal positions at the Baker, Pierce and Ridley schools. The vacancies are filled at a tumultuous time in Brookline schools’ leadership. In the past six months, multiple administrators — including Guillory himself — have resigned from their posts.… Continue reading Three new principals set to lead K-8 schools next year
School Committee cautions educators against using MTA’s ‘offensive’ teaching materials on Israel-Palestine
Brookline’s School Committee “strongly cautioned” the district against using the Massachusetts Teachers Association’s recommended instructional materials regarding Israel and Palestine and expressed its intent to create an “instructional materials policy” in a resolution passed on May 1. The resolution was proposed by School Committee Member Jesse Hefter and came after the MTA — a union representing… Continue reading School Committee cautions educators against using MTA’s ‘offensive’ teaching materials on Israel-Palestine
School Committee closes budget gap by tapping ‘circuit breaker’ funds
The School Committee on Thursday made the final adjustments needed to close an $8.2 million budget gap projected for fiscal year 2026, which begins July 1. The committee unanimously approved a $142,148,452 budget for the Public Schools of Brookline, moving one step closer to the end of a months-long budget process. Next, Town Meeting must… Continue reading School Committee closes budget gap by tapping ‘circuit breaker’ funds
A popular adult education nonprofit faces an uncertain future amid schools budget crunch
The School Committee voted to pause funding at the end of the summer for Brookline Adult and Community Education, a public education nonprofit that offers a wide array of courses to adults, children and seniors in Brookline. The School Committee previously voted to help fund BACE — which serves thousands of people but has not… Continue reading A popular adult education nonprofit faces an uncertain future amid schools budget crunch
Schools superintendent Guillory will resign on June 30
Public Schools of Brookline Superintendent Linus Guillory will resign from his position, he announced Monday morning. Guillory, who became superintendent in 2021, will remain in the role until June 30. “Serving the students, families, staff, and community of Brookline has been one of the most meaningful and rewarding chapters of my professional life,” Guillory wrote… Continue reading Schools superintendent Guillory will resign on June 30
The Brookline schools equity office is in limbo. Here’s what its work looks like.
The removal of Brookline’s Office of Educational Equity is one of many cuts made to narrow the schools’ $8 million budget gap. Now, with fundraising underway to reinstate the office and a School Committee torn about how to respond, the office is in limbo. A divided School Committee voted 5-4 on March 13 to eliminate… Continue reading The Brookline schools equity office is in limbo. Here’s what its work looks like.
Following the money: See how much candidates for Select Board, School Committee raised and spent ahead of town election
Candidates for town office in Brookline have raised more than $114,000 in political fundraising ahead of the May 6 election, when voters will choose new members of the Select Board, School Committee and other local government bodies. The campaigns for townwide positions reported their financial activity to the town in late April, as required by… Continue reading Following the money: See how much candidates for Select Board, School Committee raised and spent ahead of town election
Thousands of competitors stream through Brookline as crowds cheer them on in Coolidge Corner, the ‘perfect spot’ to watch the race
With colorful posters held aloft and cowbells clanging, hundreds of people packed Coolidge Corner on Monday to watch Boston Marathon runners enter the final stretch of the race. Dan Verderamo, who lives on Beacon Street, is hoping to start a tradition of tailgating the race. He and a group of friends spent the day route-side… Continue reading Thousands of competitors stream through Brookline as crowds cheer them on in Coolidge Corner, the ‘perfect spot’ to watch the race
Ways to vote in the May 6 town election
Local election day is May 6 in Brookline. Winners will be declared in contested races for the School Committee, Select Board and Board of Library Trustees, and Town Meeting members will be chosen in each precinct across town. Brookline.News has published in-depth candidate profiles for the School Committee, Select Board and Board of Library Trustees… Continue reading Ways to vote in the May 6 town election
Fire that destroyed Craig Place home and injured firefighters was caused by ‘smoking materials,’ officials say
Six Brookline residents were displaced after an apartment fire caused by discarded smoking materials destroyed their Craig Place triple-decker, according to state and local authorities. The March 28 fire, which turned into a three-alarm blaze that injured two firefighters, was caused by “careless disposal of smoking materials,” according to Brookline Fire Chief John Sullivan, citing… Continue reading Fire that destroyed Craig Place home and injured firefighters was caused by ‘smoking materials,’ officials say
Five candidates face off for Board of Library Trustees, aiming to address library system upheaval
This year’s election for the Board of Library Trustees is contested for the first time since 2017, as turmoil in Brookline’s public libraries pushes new candidates and incumbents to step up. In Brookline, the Board of Library Trustees is a 12-person elected body with four seats up for election each year. Trustees are responsible for… Continue reading Five candidates face off for Board of Library Trustees, aiming to address library system upheaval
School Committee notes: FY26 budget gap reduced to $1.7 million
The School Committee continued to reduce Brookline schools’ fiscal year 2026 budget gap on Thursday, but some of the most controversial cuts were rejected or postponed. By the end of Thursday’s School Committee meeting, the district’s projected budget gap was reduced to about $1.7 million, down from roughly $8 million earlier this year. The gap,… Continue reading School Committee notes: FY26 budget gap reduced to $1.7 million
Meet the candidates in a crowded race for School Committee
This year’s race for Brookline’s School Committee is the most competitive since 2018, with six candidates, including two incumbents, running for three open seats in the May 6 election. Most new candidates cited the district’s cyclical fiscal problems as a top reason for running — particularly the $8-million budget gap for fiscal year 2026, which the… Continue reading Meet the candidates in a crowded race for School Committee
Gastonart and Frame set to close Putterham Circle store in April
After six years in Brookline, Gastonart and Frame will close its Putterham Circle location on April 26, the business announced Friday morning. Owner John Gaston said that, despite the closure of the Putterham location, the custom framing business is “strong and growing” at its other locations. The company could not come to an agreement with… Continue reading Gastonart and Frame set to close Putterham Circle store in April
Brookline group aims to fund equity positions cut by School Committee
A coalition of Brookline groups is raising money to fund equity-focused positions across the district that were eliminated by a divided School Committee on March 13. Jodi Fortuna, the district’s deputy superintendent of teaching and learning, announced at a School Committee meeting Thursday that the coalition, coordinated by the Brookline Community Foundation, has raised about… Continue reading Brookline group aims to fund equity positions cut by School Committee
Brookline Housing Authority taps state public housing official as next executive director
The Brookline Housing Authority has hired Benjamin Stone, a state housing official, as its next executive director. Stone, a Dorchester resident who is currently the undersecretary of public housing and rental assistance at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, will begin his new position on March 31. “I look forward to leading a… Continue reading Brookline Housing Authority taps state public housing official as next executive director
Brookline resident hit by car, hospitalized
A Brookline resident was hospitalized with serious injuries after being hit by a car on University Road on Saturday night, according to Brookline police. Robel Tadele, a 24-year-old Cambridge resident, was arrested Saturday night on one count of operating under the influence of alcohol, one count of speeding and one count of negligent operation of… Continue reading Brookline resident hit by car, hospitalized