SCHOOL COMMITTEE
(2 seats available - 3 year term)
In addition to supporting the core values, vision and mission of the Wellesley Public Schools, the Committee’s responsibilities are to: develop and manage school policies; support the allocation of resources by overseeing budget & facilities; hire and review superintendent of schools; advocate for the school district.
Linda Chow
Q1. As you know, Town Meeting passed the Select Board’s Resolution to Address the Impact of Climate Change in 2020. How do you envision this resolution being carried out by the School Committee during your term?
A1. WPS is in year one of its latest strategic plan which places strategic importance on strengthening the District’s sustainability efforts by: a) encouraging more environmentally friendly school transportation by phasing out transportation fees over the next five years, partnering with Safe Routes to School, and investigating opportunities for electric vehicles; and b) continuing partnerships related to sustainability goals, e.g., partnering with CAC and other Town boards and staff to make progress on the Town’s sustainability goals. To understand how the School Committee will help carry out the Town’s Resolution to Address the Impact of Climate Change, it might help to look at what the Schools are doing within the three major sectors tracked by the Climate Action Committee in terms of GHG emissions, namely, buildings, transportation and waste.
Buildings: With the new Hunnewell and Hardy Elementary Schools slated to open this year, the Town will be able to showcase its municipal sustainable building guidelines which, as I understand it, were largely based on the process followed for making sure both of these buildings would be net zero ready. Moreover, the Town will greatly benefit from the significant reduction in carbon emissions when both of these buildings come on-line and two of the much older buildings are taken off-line.
Transportation: please see response to Question 2.
Waste: Our food service partner, Whitsons Culinary, remains committed to maintaining and expanding upon the Town’s sustainability efforts, as outlined in their food service contract with WPS. This includes: eliminating single-use plastic bottles and beverage containers (using aluminum cans instead), composting food preparation scraps and plate waste, and reducing waste. In the current year, one of the priorities for WMS is to establish composting for post-consumer waste for Grade 6 and Grade 7 students and WMS Kitchen scraps. These efforts will be expanded to Grade 8 in FY25. Through the years, we have seen a number of student-led initiatives around the reduction of waste, often in partnership with Wellesley Green Schools and/or the SEC/CAC, e.g., Bates launched a recycling and food diversion project in 2016-17. As noted above, continuing partnerships related to sustainability goals remains a strategic goal.
Q2. The School Committee has been engaged in the Town’s sustainable mobility plan; looking into electric busing, aiming for free busing to get more cars off the road; participating in safe routes to schools, etc. As transportation emissions make up 32% of our GHG emissions, what do you suggest as ways to accelerate these efforts and what do you see as next steps moving forward?
A2. While I can appreciate just how impactful it would be if we could accelerate the reduction of transportation emissions, which make up 32% of our town’s GHG emissions, it is hard to ignore the reality of trying to do so within the financial constraints of the Town, while at the same time balancing the competing priorities of multiple stakeholders. I would say having strategic goals and initiatives (such as the ones you noted in Question 2), that are aligned with the Town’s sustainability goals, is an important first step. Electric buses: The Administration has started to explore clean, zero emissions (ZE) buses (see this memo from Cindy Mahr which the SC reviewed and discussed at the meeting on 12/20/22 (advance to 1:29:28)) but the current model of contracting out bus transportation presents a number of challenges, not the least of which is the lack of necessary infrastructure to own and maintain ZE buses. Possible next steps to accelerate us towards making ZE buses a reality include advocacy at the state level to adapt incentives and programs for a community such as Wellesley. Elimination of bus fees: The goal is to eliminate bus fees altogether, but the district can only afford to reduce those fees over time. The SC-voted FY25 budget reflects a reduction in bus fees (by another $100) which should help further increase bus ridership which is important from both a sustainability and equity standpoint. Other initiatives / partnering with others in Town to make progress on the Town’s sustainability goals: SC’s engagement in the Town’s mobility committee has led to, among other things, WPS’ participation in Safe Routes to School. We should also mention that, when asked by the Wellesley Police Department, School Committee has unanimously supported the addition of EV chargers to the Calvin St. parking lot – we were asked to consider installing additional chargers as recently as our 1/30/24 meeting. The Committee has also been asked to consider the proposed Zero-Emission-Vehicle-First Fleet Policy by Mary Beth Martello - I believe this will be discussed/voted at our next meeting on 2/13.
Niki Ofenloch
Q1. As you know, Town Meeting passed the Select Board’s Resolution to Address the Impact of Climate Change in 2020. How do you envision this resolution being carried out by the School Committee during your term?
A1. The School Committee can impact the town’s climate goals primarily through buildings and transportation. The School Committee has demonstrated its commitment to these goals with the construction of two net-zero ready school buildings that will come online this year. Over the next three years, we will be looking at the future of PAWS. Any new PAWS facility should also incorporate the most current sustainability features.
Transportation is the other major driver of greenhouse gas emissions. My ideas for addressing transportation are covered in the next question.
There are additional ways in which WPS can impact climate goals, such as food waste reduction. WMS has a successful composting program that has been implemented by grade and will migrate to WHS as the students move into the high school. Elementary schools also have food waste reduction programs that continue to be improved year over year.
And finally and most importantly, we are educating the next generation of climate scientists and climate-conscious citizens. Sustainability is, and should continue to be, part of the WPS curriculum. Some examples of this include:
I will continue to support, and advocate for, incorporating climate education into the WPS curriculum.
Q2. The School Committee has been engaged in the Town’s sustainable mobility plan; looking into electric busing, aiming for free busing to get more cars off the road; participating in safe routes to schools, etc. As transportation emissions make up 32% of our GHG emissions, what do you suggest as ways to accelerate these efforts and what do you see as next steps moving forward?
A2. Increasing bus ridership should be a top priority. There are three areas in which I would focus efforts:
The move to electric buses is also important. Wellesley does not own our buses, but we should continue to research feasible options for contracting with electric bus providers and to advocate for incentives for bus companies to move to electric options.
(2 seats available - 3 year term)
In addition to supporting the core values, vision and mission of the Wellesley Public Schools, the Committee’s responsibilities are to: develop and manage school policies; support the allocation of resources by overseeing budget & facilities; hire and review superintendent of schools; advocate for the school district.
Linda Chow
Q1. As you know, Town Meeting passed the Select Board’s Resolution to Address the Impact of Climate Change in 2020. How do you envision this resolution being carried out by the School Committee during your term?
A1. WPS is in year one of its latest strategic plan which places strategic importance on strengthening the District’s sustainability efforts by: a) encouraging more environmentally friendly school transportation by phasing out transportation fees over the next five years, partnering with Safe Routes to School, and investigating opportunities for electric vehicles; and b) continuing partnerships related to sustainability goals, e.g., partnering with CAC and other Town boards and staff to make progress on the Town’s sustainability goals. To understand how the School Committee will help carry out the Town’s Resolution to Address the Impact of Climate Change, it might help to look at what the Schools are doing within the three major sectors tracked by the Climate Action Committee in terms of GHG emissions, namely, buildings, transportation and waste.
Buildings: With the new Hunnewell and Hardy Elementary Schools slated to open this year, the Town will be able to showcase its municipal sustainable building guidelines which, as I understand it, were largely based on the process followed for making sure both of these buildings would be net zero ready. Moreover, the Town will greatly benefit from the significant reduction in carbon emissions when both of these buildings come on-line and two of the much older buildings are taken off-line.
Transportation: please see response to Question 2.
Waste: Our food service partner, Whitsons Culinary, remains committed to maintaining and expanding upon the Town’s sustainability efforts, as outlined in their food service contract with WPS. This includes: eliminating single-use plastic bottles and beverage containers (using aluminum cans instead), composting food preparation scraps and plate waste, and reducing waste. In the current year, one of the priorities for WMS is to establish composting for post-consumer waste for Grade 6 and Grade 7 students and WMS Kitchen scraps. These efforts will be expanded to Grade 8 in FY25. Through the years, we have seen a number of student-led initiatives around the reduction of waste, often in partnership with Wellesley Green Schools and/or the SEC/CAC, e.g., Bates launched a recycling and food diversion project in 2016-17. As noted above, continuing partnerships related to sustainability goals remains a strategic goal.
Q2. The School Committee has been engaged in the Town’s sustainable mobility plan; looking into electric busing, aiming for free busing to get more cars off the road; participating in safe routes to schools, etc. As transportation emissions make up 32% of our GHG emissions, what do you suggest as ways to accelerate these efforts and what do you see as next steps moving forward?
A2. While I can appreciate just how impactful it would be if we could accelerate the reduction of transportation emissions, which make up 32% of our town’s GHG emissions, it is hard to ignore the reality of trying to do so within the financial constraints of the Town, while at the same time balancing the competing priorities of multiple stakeholders. I would say having strategic goals and initiatives (such as the ones you noted in Question 2), that are aligned with the Town’s sustainability goals, is an important first step. Electric buses: The Administration has started to explore clean, zero emissions (ZE) buses (see this memo from Cindy Mahr which the SC reviewed and discussed at the meeting on 12/20/22 (advance to 1:29:28)) but the current model of contracting out bus transportation presents a number of challenges, not the least of which is the lack of necessary infrastructure to own and maintain ZE buses. Possible next steps to accelerate us towards making ZE buses a reality include advocacy at the state level to adapt incentives and programs for a community such as Wellesley. Elimination of bus fees: The goal is to eliminate bus fees altogether, but the district can only afford to reduce those fees over time. The SC-voted FY25 budget reflects a reduction in bus fees (by another $100) which should help further increase bus ridership which is important from both a sustainability and equity standpoint. Other initiatives / partnering with others in Town to make progress on the Town’s sustainability goals: SC’s engagement in the Town’s mobility committee has led to, among other things, WPS’ participation in Safe Routes to School. We should also mention that, when asked by the Wellesley Police Department, School Committee has unanimously supported the addition of EV chargers to the Calvin St. parking lot – we were asked to consider installing additional chargers as recently as our 1/30/24 meeting. The Committee has also been asked to consider the proposed Zero-Emission-Vehicle-First Fleet Policy by Mary Beth Martello - I believe this will be discussed/voted at our next meeting on 2/13.
Niki Ofenloch
Q1. As you know, Town Meeting passed the Select Board’s Resolution to Address the Impact of Climate Change in 2020. How do you envision this resolution being carried out by the School Committee during your term?
A1. The School Committee can impact the town’s climate goals primarily through buildings and transportation. The School Committee has demonstrated its commitment to these goals with the construction of two net-zero ready school buildings that will come online this year. Over the next three years, we will be looking at the future of PAWS. Any new PAWS facility should also incorporate the most current sustainability features.
Transportation is the other major driver of greenhouse gas emissions. My ideas for addressing transportation are covered in the next question.
There are additional ways in which WPS can impact climate goals, such as food waste reduction. WMS has a successful composting program that has been implemented by grade and will migrate to WHS as the students move into the high school. Elementary schools also have food waste reduction programs that continue to be improved year over year.
And finally and most importantly, we are educating the next generation of climate scientists and climate-conscious citizens. Sustainability is, and should continue to be, part of the WPS curriculum. Some examples of this include:
- Elementary students are introduced to environmental topics in their science classes, as well as in interdisciplinary units in their Spanish classes
- Eighth grade students complete a project-based learning unit in which they work in teams to design an eco-house; they learn about sustainable building features and the science behind them from experts in the community
- WHS offers environmental science courses at multiple levels, including an Advanced Placement course
I will continue to support, and advocate for, incorporating climate education into the WPS curriculum.
Q2. The School Committee has been engaged in the Town’s sustainable mobility plan; looking into electric busing, aiming for free busing to get more cars off the road; participating in safe routes to schools, etc. As transportation emissions make up 32% of our GHG emissions, what do you suggest as ways to accelerate these efforts and what do you see as next steps moving forward?
A2. Increasing bus ridership should be a top priority. There are three areas in which I would focus efforts:
- I would like to see free bus transportation for all Wellesley Middle School students living more than 1 mile from the school. Currently, only 6th grade students can qualify for free bus transportation and they must reside more than 2 miles from school.
- As a full district, I would like to work on increasing the number of students eligible for free transportation by focusing on those living the furthest from their schools.
- I would like to explore ways to utilize excess capacity on buses that could also build awareness and promote bus ridership to those not yet taking advantage of it.
The move to electric buses is also important. Wellesley does not own our buses, but we should continue to research feasible options for contracting with electric bus providers and to advocate for incentives for bus companies to move to electric options.