Wayland School Committee unveils 16 facilities options topping out near $919 million

WAYLAND — February 25, 2026 — Wayland School Committee unveils 16 facilities options ranging from $490 million to $919 million. Consultants Lori Coles and James Lieben presented draft scenarios A through D — keeping five schools, consolidating to four or three buildings, or splitting elementary grades into pre-K-2 and 3-5 — all assuming Massachusetts School Building Authority funding and sequential projects through roughly 2063. Superintendent David Fleischman flagged an enrollment risk: "We're going to have an elementary school next year under 300 students," noting MSBA rarely approves projects below that threshold. Chair Erin Gibbons emphasized "this is not a present once" decision; a community meeting is set for March 4. Separately, the committee voted 4-0-1 to back a $2.5 million Phase 3 athletic field project paired with a $2 million wastewater leach field replacement, with roughly $250,000 in shared excavation savings; member Betsy abstained, citing unanswered questions about busing costs of $10,000-$15,000 per varsity baseball season.