Candidate Statement: Donna Bouchard for School Committee

I am excited to enter the race for School Committee to support and sustain our outstanding school system, Wayland’s single greatest asset and single largest taxpayers’ expenditure. 

My husband, David McHarg, and I have lived in Wayland for more than 20 years. Our two children, Rory, a high school senior, and Fiona, a 7th grader, currently attend the Wayland Public Schools.   

As a mother, I appreciate the different learning styles and interests of our children. I applaud our school system for its innovative programs that excite learning, and for the many outstanding teachers who inspire our students to excel. Children in Wayland have the opportunity to receive an outstanding education, both in and out of the classroom. Superintendent Paul Stein has embraced our school culture without missing a beat, and I am grateful for his efforts to maintain the high standards we value and expect.

I am running for School Committee because I believe we can do even more with our resources through improved fiscal management. I am confident that we can sustain excellence in our schools and also provide value to the taxpayers by stretching every dollar to maximize the return on our investment. I am talking about applying 21st-century financial management practices to our 21st-century school system.

I believe we can successfully invest in our children’s future without cutting back on the quality of education. By more accurately and efficiently managing tax revenue—an effort I have championed—we have been able to strengthen our schools while simultaneously reducing tax rates. All that adds up to our being in a stronger position to provide and enhance services, such as the successful high school laptop and Chinese language initiatives.

My professional business and budgeting experience and my strong understanding of municipal finance make me uniquely qualified for the challenges ahead. And my involvement in town government over the past few years has provided me with a solid foundation. I listen to and respect the interests of our entire community. 

I will work to ensure that student achievement and enrichment remain high priorities by reaching out and working collaboratively with administrators, teachers, students and residents and that decision making is based on the careful review of detailed and precise information.

I am committed to making a positive difference.  We have already found millions of unused tax dollars — money we didn't even realize we had in many cases. I am not running on campaign promises, I am running on a proven track record:

• Advocated for an independent review of school and town budgeting process in 2010, unanimously supported by Wayland’s Finance Committee, which resulted in significant tax savings and greater efficiencies with no reduction in services.

• Lead Petitioner for a town meeting article to restate all FY 2011 school expenditures. The restatement, conducted by The Abrahams Group, revealed a surplus of over $600,000, some of which was used to fund the new high school parking lot, and the rest — more than $500,000 — was returned to taxpayers.

• Worked with the school department on the FY2012 budget and found sufficient funds to reinstate two full-time teachers and comply with the recommended class size guidelines at Wayland Middle School without increasing taxes.

• Lead petitioner for 2011 Special Town Meeting, returning $1,000 to the average Wayland household. And, there was NO reduction in services.

• Discovered $500,000 in a fund that had been reserved unnecessarily and was returned to taxpayers at the close of FY2012.

• 2011 MetroWest Daily News “Person of Distinction” award (with three other residents, including Tony Boschetto) for reducing Wayland’s property taxes without impacting services.

• Wayland 2012 Lydia Maria Child Award for Outstanding Public Service (with three other residents, including Tony Boschetto) for “saving taxpayers money by putting $4 million dollars into the town budget from free cash.”

Wayland will continue to face challenges from the economy, reductions in state aid, and growing healthcare and pension costs. I will use my energy, enthusiasm and team-building skills to provide the fiscal leadership and oversight required for a school budget that comprises nearly two-thirds of what we spend as a town. 

Please support my candidacy for School Committee as we together face the challenges and embrace the opportunities to sustain our excellent Wayland schools. I would greatly appreciate your vote on Tuesday, April 2, 2013. To learn more about my qualifications, please visit my website at www.DonnaBouchard.com.

Donna Bouchard
Concord Road