A candidate who identified herself only as Molly and said she is running for Ward 6 on the Newton School Committee used public comments to call for stable funding and a renewed focus on student supports and equity in Newton Public Schools.

Molly said she has “nearly 20 years of experience in education” and that she is a parent of three students in Newton Public Schools. She said the community is “tired” of annual budget shortfalls and urged leadership that prioritizes students over short-term financial fixes.

"We are proud of our schools, but we know they can be more, serve more fully, more equitably, and more meaningfully," Molly said. She added that the district should move from "managing decline" to "building momentum." The candidate said she would lead with "compassion, clarity, and courage."

In outlining policy priorities, Molly listed mental-health supports and social-emotional learning; rigorous academics responsive to student needs; digital literacy and wellness; green initiatives to make schools more sustainable; and anti-bias work to ensure all students "feel safe, included, and valued." She framed those items as top concerns raised by families, educators and students.

Molly emphasized the role of budgets in shaping school experience but said budgets alone are insufficient: "Budgets matter, but so does joy, so does trust, so does the everyday experience of being a student, a teacher, or a parent in Newton," she said.

The remarks appear to be a campaign-style statement delivered during the meeting's public comment portion; the transcript shows the speaker identified herself as Molly and uses two different surnames at separate moments, creating ambiguity about a full legal name in the record.

The candidate did not propose specific budget figures, timelines, or formal motions during the remarks. No votes, motions or formal actions related to the speech were recorded in the provided transcript segment.