Dedication, K-12 Experience with Fletcher and Downs on School Committee

Jeanne Downs and Barb Fletcher are the embodiment of traits needed to lead Wayland’s schools - a broad K-12 perspective, dedication, and an appreciation for excellence balanced with fiscal rigor. In the 20 plus years that we have known Barb Fletcher and Jeanne Downs, as parents, town officials, coaches, and committee leaders, they have worked tirelessly to enhance the education and experiences of Wayland’s children.

 As parents of four children each, their understanding of and hours devoted to Wayland schools are unparalleled. They have volunteered in a combined 48 elementary classrooms, led Elementary and Middle School PTOs, and coached dozens of soccer and swim teams. Highly competent, hard-working, and approachable, Jeanne and Barb are pictures of involved, effective community members. We have seen this with Jeanne’s successful efforts to fundraise, renovate, and re-establish a thriving Community Pool. Barb’s nine-year tenure on the School Committee has seen the  opening of our new High School, on time and under-budget, as well as maintenance of a full array of programs and class sizes within guidelines, even amid shrinking Federal, state, and local budgets. Both Downs’ and Fletcher’s backgrounds in finance are invaluable in navigating the budget process and weighing the very real fiscal trade-offs necessary to balance excellence with cost efficiency. 

 Immersed for many years in the management of our schools, community, and their own families, Barb Fletcher and Jeanne Downs truly understand and model the kind of education and support that our children need to become productive, engaged citizens. We urge you to vote in support of Jeanne and Barb for School Committee on April 1, 2014.

Anna & Jack Sommers, Forest Hill Road