Wayland Select Board votes 5-0 against teachers union special town meeting article

WAYLAND — November 13, 2023 — Wayland Select Board unanimously declines to recommend $994,664 teachers union warrant article. The 5-0 vote at Monday's remote meeting rejected a citizens petition to fund first-year cost-of-living raises under the Wayland Teachers Association's 2023-2025 contract at the fall special town meeting. Member Tom Fay read contract language committing the school committee to seek the transfer "at the earliest time Wayland town meeting convenes during fiscal year 2024," and said using a petitioned special town meeting to accelerate payment was not "good faith negotiation." Chair Bill Whitney and member Carol Martin said they would support the appropriation at the May annual town meeting. Town Manager Michael McCall said Town Counsel found the article legally sufficient but warned that broadening it to cover the WISA unit could trigger the moderator's 10 percent rule. The $994,664 figure, from school administrator Susan Bottan, covers only FY24 contract costs.