October 2024 Newsletter
New development in Newton is good for our schools. Really? Yes.
When new developments are proposed one of the first questions is “What about the schools?” In Newton, the schools are our Crown Jewel, and many families choose to live here so they can send their kids to our schools. We brag about our graduation rates, college acceptance rates, and even our spectacular theater programs.
This is why, when it comes to housing, opponents will call on people’s fears of the impact on the schools.
But, those concerns are simply not true.
Interestingly enough, the threat to our schools comes not from development but from the lack of it. That is, we need housing to attract and develop our two main human educational resources: teachers and students.
Impact of constraining development on teachers
On the teacher side, Newton, and the Boston metro market have grown unaffordable for teachers, who aren’t paid as well as, say, a pharmaceutical executive, and that leads to difficulty hiring and keeping good teachers. After all, it’s difficult to hire a teacher when they can’t afford to take the job.
That said, early in their careers a teacher may choose to rent an apartment with multiple roommates. But people eventually want to live on their own or start a family, which often forces teachers to move farther away, resulting in long commutes. Those commutes often correlate to higher turnover.
A study on teacher housing affordability found that it takes a teacher 13 years to save a 20% down payment, more than three times longer than average.
Teachers who can’t afford to buy a home in their district after 15 or 20 years…may move somewhere they can — whether it’s on the other side of the city, requiring a job at another school district, or in another part of the country.
This can set off a chain of events that ends up degrading the experiences of students, families and the staff who remain, and in some cases, reconfiguring entire communities.
Here in Newton, only 11% of city and Newton Public Schools staff live here in the city.
Building “Affordable” housing is an option, but that requires lotteries and chance rather than creating the true affordability that comes with increased housing supply.
Impact of constraining development on enrollment in our schools
On the student side of things, even with the new developments, Newton has seen declining enrollment that doesn't show signs of coming back on its own. In fact, projections consider all housing projects that have been permitted to date, while many are stalled or stopped due to city processes and the post COVID economy. This means enrollments will be lower than projected.
There are several reasons for Newton’s declining enrollment: lower birth rates are a nationwide trend; the move to independent schools, thanks in part to the pandemic; and Newton’s aging population.
Many older adults wish to find smaller, more accessible housing, but finding few options in Newton, remain in their homes. This locks up real estate making it harder for families with children to move in. In addition, housing costs are out of reach for an increasing number of families who would like to bring students into our schools.
Among our neighbors here in the Boston metro area, only Watertown has seen growth over the last five years. Flush with cash from new residential and commercial development, the city is constructing new schools, including a new high school, without the need for overrides.
Meanwhile, more expensive communities that have dragged their feet on new housing like Wellesley, Brookline, and Belmont have seen enrollments decline significantly.
Lower enrollment can cause program cuts and/or larger class sizes
Lower school enrollment doesn’t mean smaller class sizes and increased individual attention. It means exactly the opposite. According to Newton’s Enrollment Analysis, lower enrollment could lead to program reductions and increased class sizes.
As enrollment shifts, some schools may see underutilized classrooms while others could see increases. In fact, the district would need to make strategic decisions about how to distribute resources, which could affect the quality and availability of programs. Closing an elementary school has even been discussed.
This doesn’t mean that building more housing will solve all of our school problems, but we know that the status quo isn’t helping our schools.
Building more housing options is essential to the health of our schools.
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Deeper dive on school enrollment – A look at the numbers
Take a look at how much Newton’s population is aging. What happens to school enrollment without new development? How does NPS make projections for new students from new development?
Volunteering to Advocate for Diverse Housing
If you would like to find out how you can help advocate for more diverse housing, Let us know
Discover what we are currently reading!
Simple Messaging Increases YIMBY/Housing Supply Support, September 2024. A new study tested the impact of 4 ways to talk about the importance of new housing supply. The winner: A great short animated video, “Cruel Musical Chairs” showing that when supply is limited those who can pay more win out, driving up the cost of homes leaving few or no options for homes for others.
Legalizing Mid-Rise Single Stair Housing in Massachusetts. Boston Indicators, Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies and Utile. October 2024. Mid-rise, single stair buildings would be great on the smaller lots in Newton’s villages. This could make it more viable to build 10-12 unit buildings instead of needing to consolidate lots to build 30 - 50 units.
Upzone Update, A biweekly newsletter from Boston Indicators and Amy Dain, a Newton resident, that tracks and analyzes MBTA-C compliance efforts. Recent articles look at lot sizes and building heights.
State deems Newton ‘conditionally compliant’ with MBTA Communities Act, Newton Beacon.
Accessory Dwelling Unit Zoning Amendments for Newton, Newton Planning Department, 10/5/24. To comply with the Affordable Homes Act, Newton needs to amend its ADU ordinance. For example, Newton needs to allow more square footage on the ground floor making ADUs more accessible. Public Hearing at Zoning and Planning on 11/14/24.
Newton for Everyone is dedicated to promoting housing opportunities for people of all ages, means, backgrounds and abilities in Newton. The housing shortage affects all of us. We believe that diverse housing options are crucial to fostering a thriving community, a sustainable environment and a robust economy.