Wayland School Committee pauses superintendent search to court Fleischman

WAYLAND — October 10, 2024 — Wayland pauses superintendent search to pursue interim David Fleischman for the permanent job. The School Committee voted unanimously Thursday to authorize its chair to gauge Fleischman's interest in a permanent appointment and scheduled an Oct. 16 meeting expected to move into executive session for possible contract negotiations. A 414-response community survey found 69 percent of residents and 77 percent of district employees say Wayland schools are headed in the right direction, with respondents ranking experience in a high-performing district and retaining strong educators as top priorities. Caroline Higgins of the Wayland Community Action Network, speaking for 40 residents, called Fleischman "collaborative, thoughtful, strategic and wise" and urged the committee to skip a national search. Members said an experienced superintendent does not "walk through the door every day" and cited 50 percent turnover among building administrators as a reason to seek continuity.