Brookline schools are facing an estimated $6 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2026, according to the latest projections from town and school officials, adding significant financial pressure that could lead to more cuts in a school system already struggling to meet some students’ needs. The projected deficit was first made public in December, as… Continue reading Brookline schools facing $6m budget deficit
Category: Schools
School Committee notes: Town, committee to audit special education procurement, district makes progress in fulfilling delayed contracts
In December, Brookline.News reported that some Brookline students have not been receiving legally-mandated special education services. Public Schools of Brookline superintendent Linus Guillory and School Committee leaders shared updates regarding the procurement of student services at a School Committee meeting on Jan. 9. School Committee to audit purchasing practices The School Committee announced it will… Continue reading School Committee notes: Town, committee to audit special education procurement, district makes progress in fulfilling delayed contracts
Public school enrollment still below pre-pandemic levels, but BHS hits all-time high
The number of students in Brookline’s public schools remains below pre-pandemic levels and is slightly lower than last year’s enrollment, according to data released in December by the state. Brookline’s student enrollment for the 2024-25 school year is 7,023 students — not quite as many as the 7,039 enrolled for 2023-24. This year marks the third… Continue reading Public school enrollment still below pre-pandemic levels, but BHS hits all-time high
Back home after prep school stint, Alan Shi powers Brookline basketball to strong start
Alan Shi collected a pass just above the right block, rising up for an effortless right-handed dunk to finish up the first go-around of the three-man weave warmup. The second time through, a thunderous two-handed slam, then a reverse jam. It’s the first drill of a Brookline High School boys’ varsity basketball team practice at… Continue reading Back home after prep school stint, Alan Shi powers Brookline basketball to strong start
Seven stories that shaped Brookline in 2024
Our first full year as Brookline’s local news outlet was eventful and busy. It was at once challenging and joyful for myself and our team at Brookline.News. Here are some of the stories that shaped Brookline in 2024: Middle East conflict felt deeply in Brookline The Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023… Continue reading Seven stories that shaped Brookline in 2024
Why a retired Pierce School teacher sends birthday cards to 450 of his former students each year
Phoebe Williams, now in her forties, moved out of Brookline at 17. But each year on her birthday, she receives a little slice of home in the mail: a birthday card from her first-grade teacher, David Weinstein. “There are many years where I don’t get birthday cards from some of my best friends, or some… Continue reading Why a retired Pierce School teacher sends birthday cards to 450 of his former students each year
Baker School teacher, three family members die in N.H. carbon monoxide incident
Matthew Goldstein, an eighth-grade teacher at the Baker School, died of carbon monoxide poisoning in New Hampshire on Wednesday along with three members of his family, according to authorities. Goldstein, a 52-year-old Newton resident, was found dead at a home in Wakefield, N.H., according to a statement from the state of New Hampshire’s division of… Continue reading Baker School teacher, three family members die in N.H. carbon monoxide incident
Brookline schools failing to provide some required services for special education students, employees say
For the last year, Brookline students with impaired vision have not had access to legally-mandated special teaching meant to help them navigate classrooms and the world. It’s one of several key services for students, particularly those with special education needs, which have been left in limbo because of recent administrative problems within the Public Schools… Continue reading Brookline schools failing to provide some required services for special education students, employees say
Middle schoolers get their day in court as part of mock trial program
Seventh grader Yarden Garfinkel and his classmates spent nine weeks studying the justice system and learning to make a compelling argument in court. On Dec. 12, they tested their skills at Brookline District Court in front of a jury of their neighbors — and a judge. Garfinkel is one of several dozen middle schoolers from… Continue reading Middle schoolers get their day in court as part of mock trial program
High-ranking school official to resign, alleging financial mismanagement
A top Brookline school official is resigning, alleging financial mismanagement that she said has led to a “hostile work environment.” Liza O’Connell, deputy superintendent of student services for the Public Schools of Brookline, wrote in a Dec. 6 letter to the School Committee that she is planning to depart her position on March 15, 2025.… Continue reading High-ranking school official to resign, alleging financial mismanagement
By grocery shopping for seniors, Brookline teens bridge a generational gap
Approaching the deli counter at Stop & Shop on Harvard Street, Alaina Bodine, 16, asks for the “usual.” The quarter-pounds of turkey and cheese are not for herself or her family. They’re for Miriam Bronstein, 66, a Brookline senior for whom she grocery shops every week. Along with classmates Meeka Dagieli and Priscila Hill, also… Continue reading By grocery shopping for seniors, Brookline teens bridge a generational gap
Town heads to court to try to free up $3 million in BHS scholarship funds from century-old will
Town and school leaders in Brookline are preparing to head to court to deal with an unusual problem: too much money on their hands. A scholarship fund for female Brookline High School students, created by a resident’s 1920s will, was so limited in its use that it has grown faster than it can be dispersed,… Continue reading Town heads to court to try to free up $3 million in BHS scholarship funds from century-old will
Town leaders push to put police officers back in Brookline schools
A group of Brookline town leaders — including the police chief, Select Board members and several school principals — is pushing to restore the practice of assigning police officers to schools. If implemented, the move would undo a decision made in 2021 during the backlash to the murder of George Floyd at the hands of… Continue reading Town leaders push to put police officers back in Brookline schools
After best season in four decades, BHS girls volleyball team loses to Newton North in state championship
BILLERICA — The Brookline High School girls volleyball team reached the state championship for the first time in nearly 50 years, but fell short in the final Saturday in three sets against a dominant, top-ranked Newton North. A five-set victory in the semifinal against Acton-Boxborough on Wednesday set the stage for the Warriors first finals… Continue reading After best season in four decades, BHS girls volleyball team loses to Newton North in state championship
BHS boys cross country team wins third straight state title
The Brookline High School boys cross country team won its third straight Division 1 title on Saturday, with two star senior runners leading the way. Altamo Aschkenasy finished in third place in the individual standings and Lysander Duffield in ninth, to lead the team to victory ahead of second-place Boston College High School at Willard… Continue reading BHS boys cross country team wins third straight state title
How a teacher-led curriculum revamp at BHS brought the fun back to physics
In an icebreaker activity on his first day of ninth grade physics class last year at Brookline High School, Ilya Tagiev told his classmates he hates physics. “It was true, I did hate physics,” said Tagiev, now a 10th grader. “I was expecting physics to be really hard, and then I went to Ms. Kissel’s… Continue reading How a teacher-led curriculum revamp at BHS brought the fun back to physics
Unified Basketball team at BHS forms friendships and sparks school spirit
When Brookline High School student Raya Weintroub started playing basketball last year, she felt a bit worried about playing a new sport alongside new teammates. But after dozens of practices, scrimmages and a handful of games in front of packed crowds, that feeling has turned into excitement. “Last year, I got a little nervous because… Continue reading Unified Basketball team at BHS forms friendships and sparks school spirit
Largest after-school program in Brookline schools suspends operations over rent dispute
The largest after-school program in Brookline, a nonprofit enrichment program that served 362 students at the Ridley School last year, has temporarily closed as its leaders negotiate about a rent increase put in place by the Public Schools of Brookline. The decision caught school officials by surprise and sent parents scrambling for alternate arrangements. The… Continue reading Largest after-school program in Brookline schools suspends operations over rent dispute
Local educators, experts weigh in on MCAS ballot question
A statewide ballot initiative may not impact graduation rates at Brookline High School, but some advocates and education experts in Brookline are arguing that it will boost equity within the district and across the state. The initiative, which is Question 2 on voters’ ballots across Massachusetts, aims to replace the state’s current MCAS graduation requirement… Continue reading Local educators, experts weigh in on MCAS ballot question
High schoolers from around the country show off coding skills at competition started by BHS students
High school coders from around the country gathered at the Brookline Teen Center on Saturday to put their skills to the test in a competition started by three Brookline High School seniors. The Massachusetts Computer Science Olympiad started with 278 participants from 182 schools competing online. The top 50 competitors met in Brookline to face… Continue reading High schoolers from around the country show off coding skills at competition started by BHS students