Wayland candidates debate superintendent, taxes at League forum

WAYLAND — April 13, 2023 — Wayland candidates split on suspended superintendent at League of Women Voters forum. Three of four School Committee candidates — Craig Gruber, Christina Rodrigo and Dovey King — indicated they would not support reinstating Superintendent Omar Easy, while Erin Moller said she has had a "positive experience" with his programs but called a return "difficult." King noted the committee and two members are under investigation by the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and criticized a $30,000 taxpayer-funded probe of Easy whose findings remain undisclosed. In the Select Board race, Vice Chair David Watkins said real estate taxes have climbed roughly 40 percent over 10 years; challenger Ann Brinsley pointed to interest accruing on an $11 million community center loan before construction has started. Former selectman William Whitney called a former Whole Foods site housing proposal "nearly twice the density" of Alta Oxbow. The April 25 election follows.