Wayland Teachers Association Q&A

Can you please introduce yourself, explain what has brought you to run for School Committee and provide examples of your experience and qualifications for this role?

Hello Wayland Educators:

My name is Erin Mueller and I am volunteering to serve the students, families, teachers and administrators as a member of the Wayland School Committee. Should I be elected to serve in the role, I will work hard to earn your trust.

My husband, Bryan, and I moved to Wayland in 2006 prior to having our three children. We tirelessly searched for a home in Wayland due to the excellent reputation of our school system. The reputation has certainly lived up to its promise as Wayland is one of the top school districts in Massachusetts.

As an active member of the Wayland Community for 17 years I have a unique perspective that combines a multi-generational pulse on community needs, three children that will soon span high school, middle school, and elementary school and a reputation for being a trusted sounding board amongst my peers. I hold this responsibility in the highest regard, and it is what drives my campaign for School Committee.

Professional Experience

I have more than 20 years of sales, marketing, recruiting and executive level business and management experience. I am adept at forging collaborative working relationships and bringing people to the table, inspiring critical thinking, constructively evaluating information and building consensus. I currently provide management consulting for a pediatric neurologist in the Boston area whose innovative practice focuses on serving the neuro-diverse population in a collaborative multi-disciplinary care setting. I’ll focus on a few key areas below.

Recruiting

With growing concerns over district departures, my experience in recruiting is particularly relevant. I recently served as a recruiter, hiring for both interim and permanent placements. I applied recruiting best practices while building connections to better understand personal experiences and demeanor. I relied on the analysis of the evaluation tools, but also on the candidates’ ability to connect, accept feedback, and respond critically while maintaining composure.

Management: Establishing Trust and Managing Conflict

I have several years of professional management experience. I regard trust as the most critical component of effective management. It is my approach to establish connections early and earn trust by getting to know each person both personally and professionally. I foster continuous relationship building with both an open door policy and recurring check-points to garner candid feedback. I proactively listen for trends in frustrations and external pressures to actively solve problems, instead of allowing them to grow.

Maintaining the Mission Focus

"The mission of the Wayland School Committee is to support the Mission Statement of Wayland Public Schools by Setting Policy, Hiring and Overseeing the Superintendent of Schools, Recommending an appropriate budget that delivers a high-quality curricular educational program to the children entrusted to our care.” My professional experience allows me to navigate complex conversations between organizational needs and budget constraints. The foundation of the Wayland School District is strong. Together, we will identify key changes in policy that will benefit our district and bring these programs into alignment with our current practice to improve learner outcomes.

Service to Wayland

Serving on the board for the Wayland Public Schools Foundation for the past five years I have gained valuable insight into the demands on the school budget and the needs of you, our educators. I am always incredibly impressed by the professionalism and thoughtfulness that goes into each grant that you compose. Annually, your grant requests are geared toward enriching the core curriculum, providing new technology, and cutting edge programs that would otherwise go unfunded. I am proud to be part of the solution in coordinating events to raise awareness and donations, alongside networking with our educators to serve as a resource during the grant process. I am also actively involved in school and community initiatives including serving as a room parent, library volunteer, 5th grade activities coordinator, compost educator and “Just Like Me” program volunteer. I co-coordinated the DCF Holiday Gift drive, founded the Happy Hollow “Spirit Wear” program, fundraised for Wayland Youth Lacrosse, and chaperoned the Nashoba Ski Program. In short, when there is a need I show up and get the job done.

I have personal experience, deep respect for our teachers and community. I bring business acumen in the areas of recruiting, management, and oversight which will compliment the existing skill sets on the committee as well as the other three candidates. I will lean on my sales experience to lead key stakeholders to the table, evaluate all information and drive collaboration and consensus. I am running for the Wayland School Committee to support students, families, teachers, and administrators of the Wayland Public Schools. My promise to the Wayland community is that I will ask the hard questions, carefully consider all information, and work transparently to develop solutions that provide a high quality education to each student.

In your opinion, what is the greatest single challenge facing our school district? Once elected, how would you address it?

While building new programs are not in the purview of the school committee, identifying a Superintendent that is qualified and experienced in special education programming is a priority. Special Education is one of our largest district wide challenges. Given the transition of our Special Education Director and Interim Director of Special Education Services, it would be imperative to establish a permanent Director for the district.

As an example, I focused on language based learning differences below. Special Education expands beyond this one area of focus.

In anticipation of DESE 603 CMR 28.03 (f) Early Literacy Screening Policy., Effective July 1, 2023, DESE will mandate “each school district shall at least twice per year assess each student's reading ability and progress in literacy skills, from kindergarten through at least third grade, using a valid, developmentally appropriate screening instrument approved by the Department. Consistent with section 2 of chapter 71B of the general laws and the Department's dyslexia and literacy guidelines, if such screenings determine that a student is significantly below relevant benchmarks for age-typical development in specific literacy skills, the school shall determine which actions within the general education program will meet the student's needs, including differentiated or supplementary evidence-based reading instruction and ongoing monitoring of progress. Within 30 school days of a screening result that is significantly below the relevant benchmarks, the school shall inform the student's parent or guardian of the screening results and the school's response and shall offer them the opportunity for a follow-up discussion.”

Without language based learning programs in place, the Wayland School District will be at greater risk for out of district placements, placing further strain on our budget and community of educators and learners.

Great news is that we have evidence of the success of the language based classroom as piloted at Claypit Hill School. I fully understand the program was launched without all considerations, however, we have proven that we have the talent and ingenuity within our walls to accomplish big things.

I personally know many of the special education champions in our district. Your experience, education and heart are second to none. If appointed as a member of the school committee, I will see that the superintendent works hand and hand with the teachers to identify internal champions and educators that have the key certifications to provide the necessary intervention for all children and learners. Collaboratively, determine what skillsets are needed to hire for and work together when considering re-appropriating existing educators to best serve our students.

Fiscal year 2024 will be left holding the bag of our post pandemic learning gaps. Out of district placements for special education is one of our largest budget increases for FY2024. The FY2023 budget was $3,618,949 with a projected budget of $5,361,886 for out of district placements. This is a 48% increase due to unforeseen out of district placements.

There is a lot of work to repair our Special Education department district wide. If we invest in leadership and programming within our district to meet our children in their most formative years, we can meet the ultimate goal of keeping our students in the district with programs that support the whole child.

What do you plan to do as a member of the school committee to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in Wayland public schools?

The Wayland School District has been making strides towards embedded diversity and equity into our policies and programs. We will continue to build on the good work that Caroline Han, the HRDEI Committee, the teachers and children have done district wide. I am proud of the great work our district is doing to reduce hate in sports, diversify staff and provide age appropriate anti-racism programs. Our current school committee unanimously adopted an Anti-Racism Resolution which “states our unequivocal commitment to dismantling racist policies and practices that are deeply embedded in our educational system and disproportionately harm Black and Brown students.” The above mentioned are just a few examples of our ongoing commitment to a more diverse and equitable district to which everyone belongs.

Within the purview of the school committee there are impactful changes that do not have implication on the budget. Such as:.

Participation of a more diverse group of people at the school committee meetings. For example: An appointed high school student, METCO family representative and a WTA representative as non-voting members for the upcoming AY 2023-2024 and consideration for the future.
With all of the recent reports of vandalism, racism and bullying, it is essential that we seek to clarify, modify and establish more diligent processes and policies for reporting, investigating, responding to harassment and discrimination district wide.
Continue our ongoing cadence between the school committee and the HRDEI committee and community to ensure that policies, procedures and needs are aligned.

From a budgeting perspective, I recognize the request and need for an Equity Audit and strategic plan along with the support of a full-time DEI Director as being a benefit to the community.

It is my whole hearted belief that every single person holds a responsibility to embrace our human differences. The greatest challenge I have seen recently in Wayland is that we have been unwilling to accept a difference of opinion, priorities, and are unable to communicate effectively. We lack respect and trust in one another. It should be our priority to create an environment for our students where each learner feels heard, respected and supported, regardless of our differences. Our students learn from the examples of their caregivers, teachers, administrators and peers. It is our responsibility to emulate our own ability to respect one another. We are adults - we can do better.

How would you encourage the school committee, administration, and the WTA to work together? What actionable steps would you take to repair fractured relationships/ communication breakdowns?

My three children were born here and continue to grow up in this town. Elle is in 8th grade, Avery in 7th grade at Carroll and Griffen is in 2nd grade at Claypit Hill. I know the character of the teachers in our town, I know how deeply you care for our children, the love, the attention, the sleepless nights and responsibility you have for each of them. No one has a greater role in our childrens educational journey than the teachers. You are the boots on the ground and the heart and soul of our schools. The demands on teachers and students are ever increasing and I understand that.

I regard trust as the most critical component of every relationship. It is earned not given. I know many of you personally and professionally and have been listening to stories of broken trust. I understand, I feel it too. I will foster continuous relationship building with both an open door policy and recurring check-points to garner candid feedback. I will proactively listen for trends in frustrations and external pressures to actively solve problems, instead of allowing them to grow. With much talk about transparency, there is little action. As an example, I have found Dr. Graham’s communication to be clear and helpful in our time of transition. I will seek the same clear communication from the superintendent going forward.

It is imperative that the school committee, teachers and administrators sit at the same table whenever our students, programs, and new administrators are discussed. While members of the WTA don’t currently have a vote on the School Committee, your insight and feedback is imperative for sound decision making when it impacts our children.

Describe your leadership style in the decision-making process regarding district policy decisions pertaining to contracts, working conditions, job descriptions, student discipline, evaluations, and safety for example?

We need consensus and input from the district to define but also embrace the policy. My leadership style when working to define policy is to first review what has already been established. Next, work with the key stakeholders, including members from the HRDEI committee and appointed educators, to understand what in the current policy is outdated and/or needs to be established based upon the absence of policy. For example: Per the WPS Policy Manual we have written Policy on Student Discipline (last updated in 2017). I would suggest this policy be reviewed and updated. Determine if the policy is at the discretion of the individual schools or applicable district wide. Policy is then drafted, reviewed by the stakeholders and presented to the educators and administrators for feedback. The final written policy is then brought to the school committee for an educated and informed voting process to be amended into the district/school committee policy and procedures.

How would you include teacher feedback in your evaluation of the superintendent and other administrative personnel?

The School Committee is responsible for hiring the Director of Finance and Superintendent and oversees the Superintendent. The emphasis on selecting the most qualified, collaborative and transparent leader has never been more important. This cannot be accomplished without the review and input from the teachers.

I will lean into my professional recruiting and management experience. I recently served as a recruiter, hiring for both interim and permanent placements. I will ensure that we apply recruiting best practices while building connections to better understand personal experiences and demeanor. I will advocate for teachers to utilize the same formal evaluation tool which will allow the committee to analyze your feedback in an actionable and peer weighted manner.

Our formal process will safeguard our requisite qualifications, experience and interpersonal skills that are mandatory for the candidate to advance through the recruitment and annual review process.

Wayland is ready to welcome a long term leader and superintendent. We will have the opportunity to slow down, carefully consider, dig deep into references and offer opportunities in-district for both the educators, families and administration to interview and get to know the candidates, but also for the candidate to get to know us. Our district would benefit from a long–term stable leader with whom we are all invested in. Together we will provide constructive feedback to all parties, fostering a stronger working relationship. Over time, through thoughtful leadership and transparent communication trust will rebuild and we will move forward.

Looking at prior years funding by the town, we have noticed a steady decline in per pupil spending despite Wayland’s financial surplus. How would you as a school committee member advocate for the restoration of prior years funding levels?

Our town’s strongest asset is our schools and our teachers. One indicator of our strength as a district is the per pupil spend and teacher salary. I am aware that the school committee was required to cut 1.2 million dollars from our FY-2024 recommended budget. The taxpayers are projected to see a 5.93% tax increase due to increased debt service, special education costs, town and school contract settlements among other things.

When comparing the per pupil spend over the past 5 years according to DESE, Wayland’s per pupil spend has increased annually. (https://profiles.doe.mass.edu/statereport/ppx.aspx)

2022 $21,579.26

2021 $20,613.54

2020 $19,497.07

2019 $19,443.73

2018 $18,750.94

2017 $18,470.31

As mentioned in points above, one of the key areas to reduce out of district spending is by building the programs to support required intervention into the district. Notice the FY 24 spend on out of district placements are up 48%, with a service increase of $1,742,937. As we prepare for greater demand on the budget, establishing long-term solutions will best position our district to remain committed to investing in both our students and teachers.

Given the loss of so many of our district leaders in the past 18 months, what plans do you have to make Wayland attractive, and to retain the current administrators and teachers and to attract quality candidates for the openings?

Given the recent departures many question how we are going to bring people to the table and ensure they remain committed to the WPS? While it’s true that Wayland has lost some of our leaders with incredible institutional knowledge, our district remains rich with collaborative, highly skilled and dedicated teachers and leaders. It is evident through the qualified applicants we have received that Wayland continues to be an attractive district.

We will identify internal champions that will be advocates amongst peers and part of the rebuilding process. Next, we further assess the skills we will need to recruit for and hire. I will lean on my professional experience to evaluate the current recruiting framework, suggest ways to strengthen our screening process and rely on best practices that bring in the most qualified leaders to move us into a new era. I appreciate Dr. Graham's interim leadership solutions. They allow the district time to thoroughly evaluate the most qualified candidates both objectively and subjectively that will serve as leaders for years to come.

Establishing connections and earning rust are the most critical steps in building and maintaining a team. People excel when they believe in their leaders and colleagues. It’s important that we bring back a culture where we feel personally invested in one another and each team member feels their opinions are valued and considered. Personal investment, professional respect and collaboration need to be evident from the bottom up and the top down.

Once we have our leaders in place we will nurture the school community by listening to the needs of our students, families and educators. We need to provide professional development that empowers our educators and offer an open-minded and constructive environment that considers all information before making policy changes.

I have the mindset that leaders are only successful when they truly empower others. Quite simply, we all need to come together with the next Superintendent, offering guidance, feedback, support and insight. It is our responsibility as a community to create an environment where they can lead our district successfully.

Thank you very much for your time. Please feel free to reach out to me directly if you have any additional questions.

Best,

Erin

Wayland SEPAC

Hello Special Education Parent Advisory Council:

Thank you for inviting me to share my journey to run for school committee and my sincerest appreciation for each member of your committee.

I have three children, Elle is 14 in 8th grade, is a Dyslexic learner and receiving Org Skills and Reading and Writing support at the Wayland Middle School. Avery is 12 and is newly enrolled in the Carroll School for 7th and 8th grade, receiving intensive intervention for Dyslexic learners and Griffen, age 8, was selected to join the newly formed Language Based Classroom (LBC) at Claypit Hill. All three on an IEP since first grade.

I have to start by acknowledging that my family would not be positioned to provide our children with more targeted intervention without many members of this committee. You are incredibly educated, personally experienced and stop at nothing to make sure that other parents and kids benefit from your lessons learned.

In the first SEPAC meeting I attended I was quickly put in my place and pressured when I stated that my kids were receiving excellent support. I was cautioned to not confuse Support with Intervention. We were getting so much support, but my kids were not getting the right intervention to establish a solid foundation to prosper. I get it now!!! After that meeting I am pretty sure I cried myself to sleep, woke up and took action. I went on walks and reached out to those people who opened my eyes. I met with the educators and felt empowered with new questions. I pursued new programs to support my kids. I took drastic measures because of the power of the members of this committee-you know who you are! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Each candidate was just asked by the Wayland Teachers Association what is the greatest single challenge facing our school district? Hands down, I feel that Special Education is our largest district wide challenge.

In 2022-2023 Special Education accounted for 7.67% of the Education Budget which served 18.29% of our student population. We currently have 494 students in Wayland receiving special education services and/or are placed out of district to receive essential intervention. Without appropriate interventions in place, the children of the Wayland School District have been at greater risk for learning challenges and deficits, placing further strain on self esteem, families and educators.

We have a lot of work to repair Special Education district wide. If we invest in leadership and programming within our district to meet our children in their most formative years, we can meet the ultimate goal of keeping our students in the district by providing the correct interventions and programs. We can bring more inclusive services into the classroom, and support the whole child - EVERY CHILD.

Please keep reading if you're interested in a bit more about me, my professional background and my commitment to the community as a candidate for the Wayland School Committee.

My husband, Bryan, and I moved to Wayland in 2006 prior to having our three children. We tirelessly searched for a home in Wayland due to the excellent reputation of our school system.

My family and I continue to find ways to give back to the programs, services, teams and schools that connect us to our community. Serving on the board for the Wayland Public Schools Foundation for the past five years I have gained valuable insight into the demands on the school budget and the needs of our educators. Annually, Wayland teachers submit grant requests geared toward enriching the core curriculum, providing new technology, and cutting edge programs that would otherwise go unfunded. I am proud to be part of the solution in coordinating events to raise awareness and donations, alongside networking with our educators to serve as a resource during the grant process. I am also actively involved in school and community initiatives including serving as a room parent, library volunteer, 5th grade activities coordinator, compost educator and “Just Like Me” program volunteer. I co-coordinated the DCF Holiday Gift drive, founded the Happy Hollow “Spirit Wear” program, fundraised for Wayland Youth Lacrosse, and chaperoned the Nashoba Ski Program. In short, when there is a need I show up and get the job done.

Professionally, I have more than 20 years of sales, marketing, recruiting, executive level business and management experience. With several years of professional management experience, I am adept at forging collaborative working relationships and bringing people to the table, inspiring critical thinking, constructively evaluating information and building consensus. I currently provide management consulting for a pediatric neurologist in the Boston area whose innovative practice focuses on serving the neuro-diverse population in a collaborative multi-disciplinary care setting.

I am running for the Wayland School Committee to support students, families, teachers, and administrators of the Wayland Public Schools.

What I bring is:

Action-oriented and results-driven approach
Extensive experience in business development which will complement the existing board and foster strong collaboration
Enthusiasm and skillset to anticipate the needs of our district and unite team members to achieve our common goals
Perspective that will lead to successful committee decisions
Commitment to sensible policy, responsible hiring practices and fiscal responsibility

My promise to the Wayland community is that I will ask the hard questions, carefully consider all information, and work transparently to develop solutions that provide a high quality education to each student.

I am Erin Mueller and I am asking for your vote on Tuesday April 25th for School Committee.

I invite you to visit my website to learn more about me, ways to support my campaign and to connect. https://erinforwayland.com

Wayland Teachers Association Q&A

Wayland SEPAC

Hello Special Education Parent Advisory Council:

This website uses cookies.