Wayland HRDEI Committee backs schools civility series, seeks $3,430

WAYLAND — December 16, 2025 — Wayland HRDEI Committee unanimously backs four-part schools dialogue series and seeks $3,430. The Human Rights, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee voted 7-0 to co-sponsor "Conversations Not Confrontations" with the Wayland Public Schools, led by facilitator Jamil Adams and developed with district diversity director Caroline Hahn, with funding sought from the Lydia Maria Child Fund. Chair Karen Blumenfeld tied the program to "tone" and "lack of respect" on the Wayland community forum after an Oct. 30 high school incident. The committee also approved co-sponsoring the Feb. 7 Lunar New Year celebration with the Wayland Chinese American Association, a $200 stipend for Adams, and a $200 reimbursement split between Marianne Borkowski and Asma Khan for Human Rights Day costs. Recreation Director Catherine Brenna's cell-phone ping analysis pegged 2025 Wayland Festival attendance above 6,000, with town center businesses reporting "their best day ever."