Erin Gibbons (incumbent)
ADDRESS: 25 Mitchell Street
OCCUPATION AND/OR PREVIOUS SERVICE TO THE TOWN: Attorney and currently serving as Chair of the School Committee
CAMPAIGN WEBSITE AND/OR SOCIAL MEDIA, IF ANY: None for current campaign
With costs increasing, especially for special education services, and enrollment declining, what steps can the SC take to contain or reduce the school budget?
To address increasing costs, especially in the areas of special education and out of district transportation, and in light of an expected decline in overall enrollment, the School Committee should be working with Administration to consider cost-containment measures, resource reallocation, and strategic partnerships, while focusing on data-driven decision- making and community engagement.
The School Committee and Administration have been working closely together to increase the collection of data as well as the ease in use of collected data to make the best decisions for our District. The District is working to analyze data to most effectively and efficiently provide early intervention to students. The District is also looking at expanding the reach and impact of existing staff by streamlining processes and shifting resources.
We should also be looking to take advantage of grants and other funding sources to supplement the school budget.
Candidate Statement
Background: I’ve lived in Wayland for almost 20 years. I have four (4) children that currently attend Wayland Public Schools although one (1) is graduating this year. I am currently employed as in-house counsel for EG America.
Prior or Current Service: I am currently finishing out my first term on the School Committee, serving as the Chair. I have also served on the elementary, middle school and high school School Councils and coached Wayland Youth Soccer.
Motivation for Running: I am running for School Committee for a second term, because I believe in the importance of ensuring that all students have access to the resources they need to succeed and in the value of a quality education. Fiscal responsibility is a critical aspect of being a member of the School Committee; we must align the District’s goals with budget priorities to best serve students.
Key Issues: The key issues facing the School Committee in the coming years are extremely tight budgeting especially in the face of inflation, maintenance and upkeep of the District’s facilities, and how to best support our students’ social and emotional wellbeing putting them in the best position to thrive as successful and positively contributing members of the greater community.
Relevant Accomplishment: During my first term, the School Committee hired a new Superintendent and collaboratively settled new contracts with the different unions that our school personnel are members of.
Best Advice: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Ghandi. I hope by continuing to be a member of the School Committee that I can make a positive mark on the education of our students as they truly are our future.
Additional Information: I look forward to continuing to partner with the community to do what’s best and what’s right for our students and their families.
Favorite Free Day: My favorite way to spend a day is getting some fresh air, sunshine, and having time to read or listen to a book!
Enjoying/Relating to the Community: I spend most of my free time watching my children participate in a variety of activities around town, but I always start the day with a tea from the Starbucks in Cochituate. Always happy to run into familiar faces and catching up!
