Wayland School Committee approves $54.9 million fiscal 2026 budget

WAYLAND -- February 3, 2025, Wayland School Committee approves $54.9 million school budget, plans to revisit cuts. The committee voted unanimously Monday for a $54,902,318 fiscal 2026 budget, a 4.32 percent increase, while pledging to restore a full-time Academic Support Center teacher at the high school if the town's health insurance assessment comes in below the 10 percent increase assumed in the plan. Superintendent David Fleischman said each percentage point of health insurance is worth about $100,000 in Wayland and that he expects an answer from town finance director Michael McCall by Friday. Members rejected proposals to cut into an 8 percent facilities increase that business administrator Susan Bothan said is needed for failing doors, HVAC, plumbing and a $4,000 request to replace two clocks tied to a school's bell system. The Academic Support Center serves roughly 105 students, including "95 percent" of non-IEP METCO students. The committee meets again Feb. 26; Town Meeting is April 7.