Looking Back on 2011: Newsworthy Stories in Newton Schools

Throughout this week, we'll be looking back at some of the most read stories from the year gone-by. Today, we're recapping the top five Newton school-related stories that brought you, the readers, to our site.

If you're new to Newton Patch, these recaps will be a way to familiarize yourself with what Patch has been up to during 2011. If you're a longtime reader, this is your chance to reminisce. The stories below are in no particular order.

1.  Schools, Newton Teachers Association agree on contracts
After a year without a contract , the Newton Teachers Association (NTA) in late October. The contract was officially signed on Oct. 31 and

2. The sprinkler curveball
After deciding in late 2010 to add four modular classrooms at three crowded elementary schools and expanding F.A. Day Middle School, the School Committee . The law, which requires sprinkler systems to be installed throughout buildings that undergo renovations, , which was initially budgeted at $5 million. Mayor Setti Warren has said the city's Capital Improvement Plan will and  

3. Trinity Catholic announces merge with Mount Saint Joseph Academy
On Sept. 28, . The two schools will form Saint Joseph Preparatory High School, which will open on the Mount Saint Joseph Academy campus in fall 2012.

4. Newton Public Schools' fiscal 2012 budget
Facing one of its toughest budget cycles in recent history, the Newton School Committee . The committee was forced to make tough decisions on what to cut, . Moreover, the committee , hoping to put back $1 million into the budget. Eventually, with some state aid coming back to the schools, . 

5. The future of Angier Elementary
the aging Angier Elementary School was (and still is) on the minds of many school and city officials. With , Mayor Setti Warren announced in November that . However, Warren said the city will have to find an additional revenue source for the project, . 
 

Check out other 2011 recaps we've done this week:

• The 
• The  in Newton
• The 
• The 
• The