On Tuesday, March 14th, Newton voters will decide on an override proposal that would provide $4.5 million to the Newton Public Schools (NPS) operating budget.

NPS presented a Budget Preview for the 2023-24 school year to the School Committee on Monday January 23rd to show how the proposed operational override impact NPS. The presentation included two budget scenarios. One budget reflected the impact of supporting the school budget with $4.5 million via approval of the override. The other budget showed the impact on the budget if the override is NOT approved and the additional $4.5 million is not available to the district.

You can review the power point presentation here and can watch the School Committee presentation on NewTV here. (The budget presentation begins at the 38 minute mark.)

Additional information and updates regarding the impact of the override on NPS can be found on the NPS Override Page.

For more information on the override visit:

• The City of Newton website, meetings and presentations
• Vote Yes for Newton  (Instagram or Facebook)
• Newton Beacon (“an independent, nonprofit, and nonpartisan digital news organization reporting exclusively on Newton, Massachusetts”)
• League of Women Voters

Newton Neighbors is organizing another Drive for Five for the Newton Community Freedge.

Check your pantry, ask a neighbor, pick something up next time you go to the store! Help us stock the Freedge with these five high-demand items:

1. Individually wrapped snacks (any kind of snack, granola bars, cereal bars or protein bars, goldfish, pretzels, etc.)
2. Pasta and sauce
3. Dried beans or rice (chickpeas, black beans, wild rice, etc.)
4. Cooking oil
5. Soaps (hand soap, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, etc.)

Drop off donations from Tuesday, January 31 – Thursday, February 9 at the following addresses:

• 174 Oliver Road, Waban
• Fulfilled Goods, 612 Washington Street, Newtonville
• Cork and Board, 1207 Centre Street, Newton Centre
• Just Next Door, 327 Auburn Street, Auburndale

To learn more about the free 24-hour community refrigerator and pantry at 420 Watertown Street in Nonantum, join the Newton Community Freedge Facebook group.