As enrollment drops, Newton might open schools to students from other districts

James Vaznis:

In an effort to address declining enrollment and raise additional revenue, the Newton School Committee is debating whether to open the city’s schools to students from Boston and other districts through the state’s school choice program.

The first year of the program could bring in up to 70 students and roughly $276,000 or more in additional per-student state aid, filling empty seats in existing classrooms, according to a Newton Public Schools analysis.

The program would operate separately from Metco, the voluntary racial integration program that allows Boston students to attend Newton and other suburban districts, potentially providing unsuccessful applicants for that program another way into Newton.