As Brookline’s schools face major budget problems, the town is moving to assert itself more in the school system’s financial processes. The budget process for fiscal year 2026 started with an $8.2 million gap between the superintendent’s initial budget proposal and the town’s allocation of funding for the schools. The shortfall has since been whittled… Continue reading Town officials seek greater oversight of school finances amid budget crisis
Category: Schools
School Committee eliminates Office of Educational Equity, rejects hybridization of food services
The School Committee voted Thursday night to eliminate the district’s Office of Educational Equity, delivering a blow to equity initiatives that were expanded as recently as last summer. The cut is the latest of dozens made by the School Committee in the past two weeks, in its efforts to close what started as a roughly… Continue reading School Committee eliminates Office of Educational Equity, rejects hybridization of food services
New School Committee candidates cite budget problems as reason for running
A slew of new candidates are running for School Committee this year, prompted by widespread concern about fiscal problems in Brookline schools. In early February, eight Brookline residents had indicated they were considering running for three seats. As of March 10, five candidates are still in the race: incumbents Helen Charlupski and Valerie Frias, former… Continue reading New School Committee candidates cite budget problems as reason for running
School Committee approves $3m in cuts, rejects arts reductions as hundreds pack Town Hall
At a packed School Committee meeting on Thursday night, the committee rejected some of the most unpopular cuts proposed by the district, agreed on about $3 million in reductions and left many decisions to be made in the coming weeks. About 200 people, many clad in green or red t-shirts, crowded the fifth floor of… Continue reading School Committee approves $3m in cuts, rejects arts reductions as hundreds pack Town Hall
Brookline alum in the running for a global marathon record
James Redding is getting a head start on spring break. The 19-year-old Boston College sophomore flew to Japan a few days ahead of his mid-semester break to take his spot among 37,500 people who ran the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday. The Brighton teenager, who grew up attending Brookline schools and is now an assistant varsity… Continue reading Brookline alum in the running for a global marathon record
Photos: The ‘fizz factor’ of bath bombs, turning food waste to paper, and a giant whale at the Hayes School Science Fair
More than 70 Hayes School students gathered at the school’s gymnasium on Saturday to show off their science skills, along with parents, teachers, scientists — and a giant whale. Joining the young experimenters was a team of scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who research marine life in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine… Continue reading Photos: The ‘fizz factor’ of bath bombs, turning food waste to paper, and a giant whale at the Hayes School Science Fair
Former schools administrator tapped for interim deputy superintendent role amid budget, special ed controversies
The School Committee has hired Karen Shmukler, a former long-time administrator in the district, to temporarily fill the role left by Liza O’Connell, the deputy superintendent in charge of special education who is resigning after alleging financial mismanagement in Brookline schools. The committee voted unanimously on Wednesday night to name Shmukler interim deputy superintendent of… Continue reading Former schools administrator tapped for interim deputy superintendent role amid budget, special ed controversies
With schools in financial crisis, questions mount about superintendent’s performance
Public Schools of Brookline Superintendent Linus Guillory is under intense pressure as the school district faces a deep budget crisis and proposed sweeping cuts in services ranging from the performing arts to classroom instructional aides. As the district and School Committee wrestle with alleged financial mismanagement leading to gaps in special education services, and a… Continue reading With schools in financial crisis, questions mount about superintendent’s performance
BHS boys basketball team eyes a state championship run built on defense
Johnny Williams admits it’s a cliché, but the Brookline High School boys basketball team’s coach believes the Warriors postseason fate depends on their ability to defend. After a one-year hiatus from the MIAA Division I tournament, the Warriors (16-6) posted a resurgent season and secured the No. 13 seed in a 39-team field. If Williams… Continue reading BHS boys basketball team eyes a state championship run built on defense
Inside Brookline’s school police debate: As BPD allies push for officers to return to schools, critics raise alarm over lack of data
A months-long push to reinstate Brookline’s school resource officer program is coming to a head this spring. So far, Brookline’s Select Board and police chief have recommended that the School Committee bring back police officers assigned to Brookline’s schools, who were removed in 2021 during the backlash to the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis… Continue reading Inside Brookline’s school police debate: As BPD allies push for officers to return to schools, critics raise alarm over lack of data
Brookline High sees some improvement amid nationwide student mental health decline
Young, developing minds on social media. Post-pandemic rebuilding of social connections. Academic pressure in a big school. These all play roles in how Brookline High School students are experiencing issues that are part of a nationwide mental health crisis, students and staff say. Of 904 Brookline high schoolers surveyed in May 2023, 28% reported feelings… Continue reading Brookline High sees some improvement amid nationwide student mental health decline
District leaders propose sweeping cuts to address $8 million school budget deficit
In the face of an $8.2 million budget deficit, Public Schools of Brookline administrators proposed sweeping cuts — including slashing the district’s performing arts program and removing half the instructional aides in first grade classrooms — at a School Committee meeting Thursday. At the request of the School Committee, district leaders put forward about $9 million worth… Continue reading District leaders propose sweeping cuts to address $8 million school budget deficit
‘It’s not like a job’: Meet the retiree trying to maintain order at one of Brookline’s busiest crosswalks
Thomas Gibbons presses the button on the illuminated walk sign, then runs back and forth to help people cross. He raises his hand high to signal drivers. As the children and their parents reach the other side, he calls out “Take care!” or “Have a nice day!” The 69-year-old wakes up at 5:20 a.m. every… Continue reading ‘It’s not like a job’: Meet the retiree trying to maintain order at one of Brookline’s busiest crosswalks
Pierce School principal stepping down to take position in Newton
Pierce School principal Jamie Yadoff announced Tuesday she is leaving her position at the end of the school year to take a job in Newton. Yadoff will be principal at Memorial-Spaulding Elementary School in Newton, she told Brookline.News. She declined an interview. “I believe our Pierce community is the very best school in Brookline,” Yadoff… Continue reading Pierce School principal stepping down to take position in Newton
Maimonides School finalizing deal to sell one of its buildings to real estate developer
The Maimonides School is finalizing a sale of one of its buildings to a developer who plans to turn it into a residential building. In an email sent to parents on Feb. 5 which was shared with Brookline.News, the Jewish private school’s leaders said that they have entered into an agreement to sell their former… Continue reading Maimonides School finalizing deal to sell one of its buildings to real estate developer
Election update: Ehrenberg bows out of School Committee reelection as eight candidates line up to run for three seats
The town election on May 6 could see a crowded race for School Committee, as eight candidates so far have notified the town clerk that they intend to run for three seats. Of the three current members who are up for reelection, two are running and one is not. Helen Charlupski, who has served on… Continue reading Election update: Ehrenberg bows out of School Committee reelection as eight candidates line up to run for three seats
School Committee notes: FY26 budget deficit grows, Pierce project under budget, committee drafts mobile device policy
Recent meetings of the School Committee and Pierce School Building Committee provided more information about the progress of the Pierce School renovation, the district’s projected budget deficit and a policy dictating the use of personal electronics in Brookline schools. Schools’ projected budget deficit increases The projected budget deficit for the Public Schools of Brookline in… Continue reading School Committee notes: FY26 budget deficit grows, Pierce project under budget, committee drafts mobile device policy
Brookline High squash teams prepare for national championships
Members of Brookline High School’s squash teams find their way to the sport in myriad ways. Frederik Schreiber-Wacnik discovered the game through his childhood friend, Marty Shapiro, who took to the sport after watching his older brother thrive. Eva Forman discovered squash while living in Bermuda. Now, all three are co-captains of Brookline High School’s… Continue reading Brookline High squash teams prepare for national championships
Town aims to increase equitable early education access with new initiative
The town will soon launch a four-year initiative which will provide free early education for dozens of low-income families and give professional development to early education providers. Brookline’s Select Board chose Trust Early Learners, a Brookline-based preschool that delivers formal education to children as young as 3 years old, to partner with the town and… Continue reading Town aims to increase equitable early education access with new initiative
What to know about the Pierce School demolition and construction
Demolition of the Pierce School technically began in August, but now that the building’s exterior is coming down, the project has become much more visible – and potentially disruptive – to neighbors, commuters and other community members. Brookline.News spoke with Lap Yan, the town’s director of capital construction, to try to answer some of your… Continue reading What to know about the Pierce School demolition and construction