Wayland School Committee pledges April 10 action plan on after-school care

WAYLAND — March 27, 2024 — Wayland School Committee pledges working group to tackle after-school care shortfall. Acting Superintendent David Fleischman told a packed meeting Wednesday that a community working group, led by Loker Principal Brian Jones, will be named by April 10 to expand after-school offerings after seven parents described waitlists, lottery anxiety and the prospect of leaving jobs. Parent organizer Amanda Shaw said 98 children remained on the BASE waitlist; Caitlin Phillips called the status quo a choice "to force parents to either leave the workforce or employ screens as babysitters." BASE Director Pat Keefe, who retires Sept. 30, cited a 9-to-1 staffing target and a recently approved 20 percent pay raise. The committee also unanimously backed Warrant Article W extending a Loker solar power purchase agreement to 25 years for more than $100,000 in projected savings, approved its Student Opportunity Act plan, and appointed Ronnie Kessler Director of Student Services effective July 1.