On Oct. 8, the third Wayland School Committee meeting took place at the Wayland Town Building. All members of the School Committee were present, including Superintendent David Fleishman and Assistant Superintendent Betsy Gavron.
Towards the end of the meeting, the committee discussed collective bargaining with the Wayland Educational Association (WEA). Every three years, Wayland Public Schools (WPS) staff members negotiate their contracts with the town. This year marks the start of a new bargaining cycle. Contract discussions were held during the Executive Session, which the public cannot attend.
Quick Hit One: Public comment
During the public comment section, Wayland High School students and a Wayland parent advocated for Diwali, a Hindu holiday, to be added to the school calendar as a day off for students. This year, Diwali takes place on Oct. 20.
Senior Ved Acharya was among the WHS students who arrived for public comment. Acharya started a petition for Diwali to be a school day off in Wayland, with over 185 verified signatures as of Oct. 15.
“I always knew I wanted to petition for Diwali to be a school holiday,” Archayra said. “Freshman year, my friends and I dressed up in traditional hindu clothes [on Diwali].”
Other public schools in Massachusetts, such as Holliston, Hopkinton and Westborough, do not hold classes on Diwali.
“I’d say we have a strong Indian community here in Wayland, and a lot of people celebrate [Diwali] in Wayland,” Archarya said.
Quick Hit Two: ParentSquare and PowerSchool
This year, the Wayland Public Schools’s (WPS) online grading portal has transitioned from Home Access Center to PowerSchool. Parent Square is a new implementation across WPS that allows WPS staff to communicate to students’ families immediately through notification, email or phone.
Director of Technology for WPS Jenn Judkins presented information regarding the transition to PowerSchool and ParentSquare, including data migration and staff training. The transition was a year-long process, beginning in the fall of 2024.
According to Judkins, WPS will not commit to as large of a transition for another 10-20 years.
“The reason we really needed to make this change [from Home Access Center] was that we were finding the Home Access system simply wasn’t keeping up with us,” Judkins said.
Quick Hit Three: Superintendent’s goals
The School Committee discussed four main goals that Fleishman had for the 2025-2026 year as the superintendent. Fleishman elaborated on what he hoped to work on and accomplish within WPS.
First, Fleishman hopes to continue improving WPS conditions and supporting Wayland school leaders. This will be accomplished by working to maintain a positive and strong relationship between WSP Administration and the School Committee.
Fleishman also aims to create a high functioning partnership between town officials and the School Committee to resolve any district problems. This collaboration and connection is expected to be reached through various meetings, along with team retreats.
Secondly, the School Committee hopes to maintain a large focus on improving curriculum and other educational systems, accommodating all types of learners. The School Committee intends on further educating teachers on K-12 development, along with evaluating current curriculum and educators in order to successfully better education.
Third, Fleishman hopes to work productively with WPS staff members and families to strengthen their engagement with Wayland schools and to better communication between the Wayland school district and parents and guardians.
Finally, Fleishman hopes to continue to develop and work on operational goals, regarding facilities and finance within the district. This entire plan includes working with the Facilities Advisory Committee, the Director of Finance and Operation, the School Committee and other various town partners. Fleishman hopes to develop a budget for the 2026-2027 school year, create a master plan blueprint for rebuilding and improving WPS facilities and negotiate a WEA contract approved by the School Committee.
