Wayland School Committee approves METCO expansion to preschool

WAYLAND -- November 30, 2022, Wayland approves first-in-state METCO expansion into a certified preschool. The School Committee voted 5-0 Wednesday to enroll Boston resident four-year-olds at The Children's Way starting in 2023-24, reserving five seats and funding the first year through a state pandemic-recovery grant at no district cost. METCO Director LaToya said three current METCO families with preschool-aged siblings are ready to apply and warned the committee that the commitment must be permanent: "You can't be lukewarm with it. You have to decide that you're all in." Superintendent Dr. Omar Easy framed the move as fully integrating METCO into a pre-K-12 district. The same meeting drew heavy public comment on pedestrian safety after a Loker student was struck in a crosswalk Nov. 8; Police Chief Berman is short two crossing guards, and a blinking yellow light would cost roughly $14,000. DPW Director Tom Holden reported PFAS levels at non-detect since June treatment came online.