Chinese Program, Computer Initiative Praised at Forum

First-year Wayland Superintendent Paul Stein has that includes a couple of initiatives residents were eager to praise.

At a Monday night public forum about the proposed school's budget, a number of residents took to the mic to express support of a proposed Chinese language program at the seventh grade level as well as a 1-to-1 laptop to student initiative at Wayland High School.

"[I want to] pledge my support for the Chinese language program,” said Ehrlich Livingston, explaining that China is a "world player" and he would hope Wayland's children would know the language and understand the culture when they do business with China as adults.

Resident Michael Delman echoed the sentiment, saying, "If anything, I'd like to see it [the Chinese language program] bigger."

Residents also expressed support for the 1-to-1 computer initiative designed to put a laptop in the hands of every student at Wayland High School. While most speakers at the forum approved of the effort, Roger Horine said he felt the initiative was a bit out-of-date with today's "Bring-Your-Own-Device" culture.

“I understand the impulse," Horine said, "but the reality is … that model has given way to, 'Hey, bring what you have.'"

The initiatives Stein is proposing fit within the Finance Committee's guidelines for FY13, and represent a 2.35 percent increase over the FY12 budget.

The budget itself was not so much called into question Monday night as was the way in which is it presented.

Donna Bouchard encouraged Stein and the School Committee to explicitly segregate the items that fall under the General Fund line item, a request in line with suggestions from the Abrahams Group's recent review of town finances. In particular, she said she wanted to see all of the items that would be funded by revolving funds to be listed separately under the General Fund line item.

“If we don’t segregate this, it gets so confusing," Bouchard said. "It’s a big budget, but you have to be able to see all the pieces."

Stein said he agreed with Bouchard and noted that the system is in a "state of evolution" during which it's working to make that possible.

“I just want to emphasize that this is a large undertaking, and we’re trying to get there,” Stein said.

FY13 budget documents as well as Stein's presentation are available on the district's website. The School Committee next meets to discuss the operating budget at 7 p.m. on Jan. 12.