Brookline school committee hopefuls emphasize supports, transparency and decline union campaign money

Three first-time candidates for the Brookline school committee — Laura Bain Walsh, Faiza and Elit Shults — presented largely aligned priorities at a public forum hosted by Brookline Interactive Group, centering on classroom supports, academic standards, and transparent fiscal decisionmaking.

The candidates framed the race around two recurring themes: ensuring students receive both rigorous instruction and appropriate supports, and making budget and policy choices through clear, data-driven processes. ‘‘Support and rigor are not opposites,’’ Laura Bain Walsh said, summarizing her view that differentiated services and high expectations must coexist.

Why it matters: The winners will help set district priorities as Brookline faces a structural budget gap and community debate over academic tracking, calendar changes and staffing. The forum also surfaced consistent ethics positions: all three candidates said they would not accept direct campaign support from the Massachusetts Teachers Association during a contract negotiation year, citing potential conflicts of interest.

On curriculum and leveling, the candidates diverged on emphasis but not on principle. Faiza urged patience pending ‘‘data’’ about the effects of de-leveling and said some subjects may be appropriate for mixed-ability classrooms while others may not. Laura, a history teacher, defended leveling for certain courses as a means of meeting students ‘‘where they were’’ and ensuring skill growth: she described teaching a leveled 11th-grade course where students subsequently progressed into advanced courses.

Calendar decisions drew similar calls for process changes. Candidates said selecting additional holidays requires a transparent framework, measurable criteria and stakeholder input. Laura noted that extreme weather and schedule changes have pushed the school year late into June and argued for an ‘‘open and transparent’’ methodology tied to clear metrics; Faiza and Elit urged consistency and inclusion of diverse voices so decisions do not disproportionately disrupt families with fewer resources.

On the budget, candidates acknowledged painful trade-offs. Elit and Faiza said the committee should ‘‘work upstream’’ with the superintendent and subcommittees (such as E&R) to shape budget priorities rather than react after a proposal is produced. Laura said she would ask ‘‘tough questions’’ about specific cuts and represent ‘‘the entire district, every single child’’ when evaluating staff and program reductions; she specifically raised concern about the possible loss of a middle-school guidance counselor at Dress School as an example of a painful reduction.

Ethics and campaign finance: When asked whether they would accept financial or in-kind support from the Massachusetts Teachers Association — which the Boston Globe reported intends to spend in municipal races — all three candidates responded that they would not. Elit answered succinctly: ‘‘I would not. Full stop.’’ Laura and Faiza echoed that position, framing acceptance as a potential conflict or at least an appearance that could undermine trust during contract negotiations.

What remains unresolved: Candidates repeatedly called for more and clearer district data on outcomes tied to de-leveling and other policy changes; several said decisions should be contingent on that evidence. None of the candidates proposed specific budget offsets beyond general references to revenue and cost-savings work by the E&R committee.

The forum concluded with closing remarks and a reminder that the school committee election takes place on May 5; Brookline voters will decide which priorities the next committee will pursue.