Wayland 2022 Candidate Profile: Craig Gruber, School Committee

WAYLAND, MA — In 2022, Wayland voters will get to choose between two new candidates running for school committee: Erin Gibbons and Craig Gruber. Incumbent Kim Reichelt withdrew from the race in March.

Gruber is an executive officer with the U.S. Navy Defense Intelligence Agency and an associate professor at American University. He also served on the Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee in 2017 and 2018 before moving to Wayland.

Wayland Patch sent both Gruber and Gibbons a candidate questionnaire to allow voters to get to know them better. Here's how Gruber responded:

Name: Craig Gruber
Age: 54
Occupation: Professor and military officer
Ties to Wayland schools: Children in 4th, 6th and 10th grades
Experience as an elected official: Former member of Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee.

Why are you running for a seat on the Wayland School Committee?

I want to bring my experience, professional expertise, and background as an educator and psychologist to ensure that Wayland continues to be one of the best and highest performing districts in the Commonwealth

What's the biggest issue facing Wayland Public Schools and what would you do about it?

Respect. It appears that people are not taking the time to stop and listen to each other, but rather making decisions and finding solutions in search of a problem. We need to stop, take time, and listen to all members of the community, and make a special point to reach out to the community, so that we can make thoughtful, informed decisions, keeping in mind the 2nd and 3rd order effects of those decisions.

DESE lifted its mask requirement earlier this year, but coronavirus continues to circulate widely in Wayland and Massachusetts, and there will likely be surges next winter. Would you support bringing back a mask mandate? Why or why not?

I support following the science. We would have to consult with physicians, epidemiologists, and public health professionals to make an informed decision that would be guided by science to ensure a safe, healthy, and productive environment for students, teachers/staff, and families.

If you could snap your fingers and fix or change one thing in the school system, what would it be?

Civility and understanding. I always assume noble intent. If we all expected the best from each other, we would have a more respectful and understanding environment.