District news

Air conditioning approved for older schools, paid first from school funds

Newton Public Schools · By Ben Guzovsky · Published Oct 25, 2026, 7:02 PM UTC · Board record: Jul 20, 2026

Facilities

Excerpt from Newton School Committee Meeting, July 20, 2026 — 7_20_26 School Committee Retreat Meeting- Minutes.docx.pdf for Air conditioning approved for older schools, paid… — Official source excerpt: Newton School Committee Meeting, July 20, 2026 — 7_20_26 School Committee Retreat Meeting- Minutes.docx.pdf; editorial caption by Our School Board · source-evidence

What happened

At its July 20 retreat the committee voted 8-0 (mayor abstaining) to let the city install air-conditioning upgrades in older schools, including Bigelow, Bowen, Brown, Burr, Mason-Rice, Memorial-Spaulding, Peirce, Underwood, Ward and Williams. School maintenance money pays first, and the mayor will ask the City Council to repay it.

Why it matters to families

Many older classrooms get very hot in May, June and September. A September update said window units are planned at 11 schools, with installation expected by May 2027.

The evidence

The July 20 retreat minutes record the 8-0-0 vote, the school list, and the financing plan; the Sept 28 facilities memo reports wiring progress and a May 2027 target.

The source

July 20, 2026 School Committee retreat minutes

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