The start of the 2026-2027 school year is over five months away, but administrators in the Newton School District are already working to finalize personnel assignments for the next school year. Director of Business Services Tim Bloom says a lot of decisions need to be made with the district going down from three elementary schools this year, to two in the coming school year.

“We are posting for Instructional Coaches. Once we get those positions hired, we will meet with the teachers’ union to allocate the rest of the teachers to each of the locations so we can communicate with the teachers by the end of the month, where they will be teaching next year.”

Emerson Hough and Woodrow Wilson Elementary Schools will be closed next school year, as all Newton elementary students will either attend Aurora Heights or Thomas Jefferson Elementary Schools. Both have been added onto and renovated. Earlier this week, the Newton School Board approved the appointment of Assistant Principals for both elementary buildings next school year. Current Emerson Hough Instructional Coach Brittany Vail will have that position at Aurora Heights Elementary, while Berg Middle School Assistant Principal Jen Wiebel will have that same job at Thomas Jefferson Elementary.