School Committee

Like many families, we chose Wayland because the community has a deeply ingrained commitment to public education. My husband and I moved here three decades ago, and our four children grew up in the Wayland Public Schools. It has been a privilege and joy to serve for two terms on the School Committee, and I have decided to run for a third because there is so much more I would like to see happen for our children and schools. My motivation is the same as it was the first time I ran: I remember the beautiful example my mother set when she served on the School Board in our town for many years. I saw firsthand the grace, diplomacy and tact she used on a daily basis to advocate for a good education for all children, not just for the three of us. I’ve worked in Wayland with two superintendents, many staff members, and other committee members—all of whom, like my mother, keep the education of our town’s children continually in the forefront of their minds.

During my tenure on the School Committee, which includes serving as the chair for two years, I have had the opportunity to be a part of many new initiatives. We have seen Loker School become a K-5 school, implemented the Spanish Immersion Program, changed school start times, approved and constructed the High School Athletic Outdoor Complex Renovation, and hired a district wide Diversity and Equity Coordinator. I have seen firsthand how our teachers and administrators work every day to combine social and emotional learning (SEL) and academic achievement in our schools, knowing that both priorities are deeply connected.

For the past two terms, I have worked in partnership with others to steward our school budget and have learned to push for a budget that is innovative, forward-thinking, and meets the needs of our students while at the same time respects our town’s fiscal constraints. We must ensure that every dollar is spent wisely as we support the development and advancement of our public education system. I want to help our community accomplish that goal.

As we embark on new programs, I believe that I can add value. I’m a strong believer that every child deserves a chance to shine, and our schools offer Wayland’s students that chance. Whether it be in academics, athletics, the arts, or other activities, children in our town have the opportunity to find their passions and pursue them. When they leave the school system and begin the next chapter of their lives, our goal is that they leave as articulate, well-educated, and well-rounded young people. This only happens with the excellent teachers, administrators, staff, academics, and programs in our schools. I will continue to advocate for all of those in the future.

I am deeply committed to the mission of the Wayland Public Schools, a mission that serves all students, echoing the values ingrained in me by my mother when I was a child:

“Personal and civic responsibility, love of learning, and empathy for others: these are the qualities that the Wayland Public Schools seek to instill in its students. At its core, our mission is to provide a rigorous and stimulating academic environment that promotes the acquisition of knowledge and skills. Yet we deem it equally important to nurture self-confident, collaborative, and conscientious individuals. We strive to create a climate where risk-taking is safeguarded, open expression is encouraged, and free association is protected. Our goal is to advance our students’ growth into principled, informed, and capable citizens who will help guide a democracy that follows humanitarian principles in the global forum, and shape a just society where individuals may reach their full potential.”

I love this town deeply and would be honored to serve another term as a member of the School Committee. My background in business, my leadership roles in the schools and other organizations in town, and my experience already on the School Committee give me what I need to serve our community well. I hope that you will vote for me on June 9th. Together, let’s work to keep this valuable asset—our excellent schools— as the cornerstone of our community.

Amanda Miles - Candidate Statement

I am running for School Committee because I am passionate about the field of education and I believe my background in this field can help support Wayland teachers, staff and students. Education is paramount to our family and my husband and I have devoted our careers to the field of education. My husband is an English teacher at Winchester High School and I am Associate Director of Admission at Dana Hall School in Wellesley. With a B.A. in Psychology from Trinity College and a Masters Degree in Education from Harvard University, I have committed my work to learning about school systems, educational philosophy, and variations in learning environments, always with the goal of helping children be successful. I have worked at three different schools, including one international school in Switzerland, and have traveled extensively around the world to learn about educational systems and families' educational needs. I am excited about bringing my experience in these areas to School Committee discussions about how we continue to support and challenge a broad range of students. In addition, it is important to think about what resources our students need to be successful and how we define that success.

Like many Wayland residents, my husband and I moved to Wayland almost eight years ago because of the excellent reputation of the public schools. As the parent of a rising third grader and sixth grader, I will have the unique perspective of being able to represent families at both the elementary and middle school levels, and I am committed to listening to the ideas and concerns of parents, teachers, students, and staff. I understand the value of open and clear communication and have witnessed its importance during my volunteer work at Happy Hollow. Throughout my sons’ years at Happy Hollow I volunteered as a room parent for five different classrooms and served two terms on the Happy Hollow School Council. During my four years on the School Council I worked directly with Jim Lee, former Happy Hollow Principal, school staff, teachers, and other parents. In our monthly meetings we worked together to be creative and forward thinking, always asking the question of what is best for the students. I also witnessed the importance and impact of the collaboration between school principals, teachers, staff, parents, and the Town. These groups all need to be heard and valued by the School Committee in order for Wayland schools to be at their best.

I am focused on ensuring all Wayland public school students continue to have the best possible resources, teaching, curriculum, and overall experience. I would be honored to have the opportunity to represent you on the School Committee. In the next few years, Wayland’s School Committee will be asked to tackle issues of great importance to both our children and our Town’s budget. I want to bring to bear my 20 years of work experience in middle and high schools to ensure that we do right by Wayland’s children in a fiscally responsible way. As a member of the School Committee I will bring my creative thinking and problem-solving skills, along with my passion for education. I look forward to advocating for our schools, families, and town. Thank you for your support!

Chris Ryan, Candidate Statement

Dear fellow Waylander,

Even though our lives have changed dramatically over the past couple of months, as a candidate for Wayland School Committee I have been thinking of you and the challenges ahead for our town and the education of our children.

One of the primary responsibilities of the School Committee is to formulate and then recommend an appropriate school budget for approval by the entire Wayland community. Especially in these times, I understand the need for budgeting responsibly and efficiently to achieve the greatest impact with what may prove to be more limited resources.

For the past 4 years, I have had the privilege of serving on Wayland’s Audit Committee as the School Committee’s appointee. In that role, I have been able to analyze and gain a greater understanding of the town’s overall finances. Based on the results of recent audits, it is essential, starting now, that the town and school department adopt a more coordinated and centralized approach to financial operations by implementing the internal controls that ensure the town’s funds are allocated correctly.

Another one of the important responsibilities of the School Committee is the selection and oversight of the Superintendent of Schools. We have all heard the recent news that, after just three years, the School Committee will be embarking again on a search for a new Superintendent of Wayland Public Schools at one of the most challenging times in education. I want to be a part of that selection process. Wayland needs a Superintendent who is a unifier, a visionary, and a collaborator. Our schools deserve a leader who is passionately committed to the long-term goals of our district. She should be thoughtful, intelligent, transparent, possessing cutting-edge knowledge, to guide our school community on a path into a future where we are a leading school district.

For me, the one essential question that always remains the same when making decisions for the schools is: What is in students’ best interests? This question will ground each decision that I make as a member of the School Committee.

I am committed to open communication and transparency whether in my chosen profession as a certified public accountant, an employer, a friend, parent, spouse, coach, or town committee member. I believe that is the only way to build and maintain trust among people. In addition, I am a diligent researcher who believes in learning from neighboring communities before making decisions.

Even before having children, my wife Jen (who is an elementary public school teacher in Sherborn) and I moved to Wayland because of the outstanding reputation of the Wayland school system. That was 13 years ago. We now have three young boys just starting school at the elementary level. Coaching our children’s teams and helping at their schools is an important part of our lives. Our family is excited about becoming even more a part of the team that provides a quality curricular program for all of Wayland’s children at a realistic cost to taxpayers.

Please share this statement with others that you know and I ask that you cast your vote for me, Christopher Ryan, for School Committee and do it on or before Tuesday, June 9 to help ensure that our children get the education they deserve.

Recreation Committee

Wayland Dads endorsement – we are fortunate to have somebody with the skills and passion as Leanne Mason running for Recreation Commission. Wayland Dads is proud to endorse and support Leanne.

Leanne Mason

My name is Leanne Mason and I am running for a seat on the Wayland recreation commission. I have lived in Wayland for almost seven years with my husband and 12-year-old son who is a seventh grader at Wayland Middle School, as well as my parents. Currently, I am a professor of Political Science and International Relations at Simmons University in Boston, where I have conducted research on athletics, gender, and American Politics for almost twenty years. I also was Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Simmons, where I managed 150 personnel and supervised budgets exceeding $1.5 million. Here in town, I serve as the president of Wayland Youth Basketball and have coached both youth soccer and basketball in Wayland.

I am running for this seat for a number of reasons.

1 - I believe in the mission of the Wayland recreation department - to provide programs, facilities, and services designed to enhance the individual and community values of physical, social, creative, cultural and intellectual growth and development. A successful recreation program is more than just spaces to play sports; it provides opportunities for community members to come together through cultural enrichment programs, it supports our children through activities like swim lessons and nature campus, and helps maintain all of the various properties where these activities take place. If elected, I would make it a priority to support the recreation department staff and commission in the development of short- and long-term planning for all of our programs. Questions of utilization and participation as they relate to cost and benefits should be constantly discussed in order to make decisions that are based on a strategic recreation plan, not just a one off here and there.

2. - It is imperative that our facilities be in compliance with state and federal law for all of our residents. For example, I was heartened to learn that the recreation commission and staff were moving quickly to make sure our elementary school playgrounds would be ADA compliant so that all students can participate in the holistic educational programs that they are promised through law. I would work hard to make sure that we are making fact-based decisions around all of our projects and not be influenced by normative arguments. I would also use the position to educate Wayland residents about recreational accessibility at all of our public sites.

3. - I would continue to support the Recreation Commission decision to renovate the Loker recreation site to include an environmental sound *as has determined by State and local EPA officials* synthetic field. This property development is not only imperative for our youth sports programs to continue, it is an opportunity to best use what is now abandoned land for continued community development.

My life long participation in organized sports (through the collegiate level), my professional knowledge of the workings of state and local government, and my passion for serving the Wayland community all add up to make me uniquely qualified to serve in this position. I would be honored to receive your vote and I look forward to answering any questions you might have tonight.