Wayland schools propose 4.32 percent budget, cut seven positions amid enrollment drop

WAYLAND — January 27, 2025 — Wayland schools close a $1.3 million gap with a 4.32 percent budget and seven net job cuts. Superintendent David Fleischman told the School Committee on Monday that the fiscal 2026 plan eliminates two kindergarten classrooms, two teaching assistants, three special education teachers, a middle school English position, a half-time high school special ed role, a human resources administrator and a part-time assistant student services director, while adding a data specialist and a testing teacher at The Children's Way. Next year's kindergarten class is projected at 139, what Fleischman called a historic low. Out-of-district tuition rises 5 percent and building maintenance gets an 8 percent bump after years of level funding. "We are really worried about the year after," Fleischman said of fiscal 2027. The committee also unanimously approved raising the middle school boiler replacement from $434,000 to $1.32 million.