Framingham Candidate Profile: Scott Wadland For School Committee

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Two people are running for the District 3 Framingham Schools Committee seat. Incumbent Scott Wadland has served on the committee since April 2017, at first as an at-large member.

Wadland will face off against Leslie Smart, the METCO coordinator in the Needham Public Schools. Wadland, an IT Project Manager at Boston Children's Hospital, says his experience on the committee and working in Framingham schools sets him apart from Smart.

Here's how Wadland answered the Patch candidate questionnaire:

The single most pressing issue facing our school district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Broadly, the single most pressing issue at the present time is inequity within our district. Two specific equity issues that I plan to address are (1) working to implement a comprehensive and fully aligned pre-Kindergarten program for all 4-year-olds in Framingham and (2) pushing the administration to incorporate a new school in south Framingham into our long term facilities plan.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

The critical difference between me and my opponent is that have been actively serving the schools for a number of years, so I have a breadth and depth of experience and knowledge which will allow me to be "ready to go" on Day 1 of the next School Committee term.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

- As Chair of the Policy Subcommittee I helped advance policies that allow participation in athletics regardless of gender identity, that ensure that no child is denied a school meal and embarrassed in front of their peers because of their family’s economic situation, and continue to make enriching student travel opportunities available while complying with strict ethics laws.
- As a member of two contract bargaining teams I worked closely with the Framingham Teachers Association and FPS leadership to negotiate contracts that help ensure that every student receives the same instruction regardless of teacher or school, allow for regrouping by student needs to provide for differentiated instruction and interventions, and provide time for more consistent “check-ins” at the start of the day and “check-outs” at the end of the day which improve social and emotional wellness.
- As a representative to the Fuller Middle School Building Committee I helped make sure that the community had ample opportunities to become informed about this critical project, and as a co-founder of the “Yes for Fuller” campaign I helped formulate the strategy which led to a 6-to-1 margin of victory and a demonstrated commitment to education by the voters of Framingham.