Tonight: Newton Forum on Charter School Ballot Question

NEWTON, MA – Newton will host a forum tonight on the highly contentious Question 2, the ballot question that would lift the charter school cap to allow for expansion in the state.

The Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action, Progressive Newton and the Newton Democratic City Committee will hold a public discussion with parents, teachers and school committee representatives at the Eliot Church from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Charter schools are independently run public schools funded by taxpayer money. Many believe if the cap is lifted, more funding will be devoted to charter school expansion as opposed to local public school systems.

Among those in attendance at tonight's meeting are:

• Margie Ross-Decter, Newton School Committee Member
• Shawn Fitzgibbons, Chair, Newton Democratic City Committee
• Dr. Nancy Zollers, Special Education Consultant and Researcher
• Joe Golding, Newton South HS English Teacher
• Malikka Williams, Boston Public School Parent
• Carlos Rojas Álvarez, Outreach Field Director, Save Our Public Schools
• Barbara Gutman, Director of Advocacy, Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action
• Susan Davidoff, Board President, Progressive MA, Progressive Newton

Feel strongly about the charter school question? Come out tonight and make your voice heard.

The Eliot Church is located at 474 Centre St. in Newton.

Editor's Note: The announcement for this meeting was submitted by Save Our Public Schools, an organization opposed to lifting the charter cap. However, it is a public forum, and those on both side of the issue are invited to attend.

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