Wayland School Committee approves Panama trip and Pegasus tuition increase

WAYLAND -- January 8, 2025, Wayland School Committee approves Panama trip and first Pegasus tuition hike in four years. Members on Jan. 8 unanimously backed a 5 percent increase for the Pegasus summer program, which new Wayland School Community Programs Director Niagara Vieira said amounts to "two and a half to three and a half dollars per day" against accumulated inflation of 13.51 percent since November 2021, roughly $200,000 in deferred COVID fringe obligations, and a 23 percent staff wage increase. Vieira reported the BASE after-school program has cleared its waiting list and added 77 students. The committee also approved a $4,200-per-student February 2026 trip to Panama for up to 20 students. Assistant Superintendent Betsy told members all current seniors except one have met graduation requirements following the November vote eliminating MCAS as a graduation gate; Wayland itself rejected Question 2 by 4,765 to 3,970.