Newton’s FY23 Budget To Go Into Effect Despite City Council Rejection

NEWTON, MA —Mayor Ruthanne Fuller’s Recommended Budget for FY23 will go into effect July 1 despite rejection from the Newton City Council last week.

According to Fuller, City Councilors voted to reject the entire budget by a vote of 13 to 11, with a majority wanting her to allot an additional $1.4 million of ARPA funds to the Newton Public Schools (NPS).

However, neither state law nor City Charter allows the City Council to reject an entire budget. The votes were therefore symbolic and the budget will go into effect anyway.

"I have consistently prioritized the funding for our schools and our children,” Fuller said in a statement. "I always will. I heard the compassion and concern of our Councilors for our students and our teachers. I understand.”

The mayor noted that she has directed more than $24 million in funding received by the city to NPS in the last two years. That is in addition to the $10.7 million direct federal and state COVID aid awarded to NPS.

However, despite millions in funding the mayor has directed towards NPS, the Councilors argument centered around the mental health of students and the fact that at least 10 middle and high school teacher positions have not been restored.

"This is not the time to take adults out of the middle and high schools," the City Council said in a May 23 resolution. "Rather, this is the time to provide the supports necessary to successfully get kids through this difficult time.”

To watch last week’s City Council meeting, click here.