Wayland Extends Interim Superintendent's Term Into 2024-25 School Year

WAYLAND, MA — Wayland interim Superintendent David Fleishman is taking on a more permanent role in the school district.

The Wayland School Committee during a special meeting Tuesday granted the former Newton superintendent hired in April to take over in the wake of Omar Easy's rocky departure an extension into the 2024-25 school year.

But the school committee isn't saying Fleishman will be the permanent new superintendent, leaving the door open for a wider search in the future.

"The committee feels that a second year with Dr. Fleishman will provide continued stability for the district and allow for a robust permanent superintendent search," the committee members said in a joint statement following Tuesday's meeting.

Fleishman served as Newton's superintendent for 12 years, guiding the district through initiatives like adding full day kindergarten, building renovations and the COVID-19 pandemic. He resigned from the role in April 2022 to become CEO of JVS Boston, one of the largest providers of adult education and workforce development services in New England.

Fleishman took the reins in July after Parry Graham left to be Lincoln's new superintendent. Graham had taken over after Easy was placed on leave in February. Easy has filed a complaint against the district with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. The committee has been discussing the complaint during recent meetings in closed session, but MCAD has not released a decision in the matter.

Although the committee approved extending Fleishman's contract, the extension is still subject to contract negotiations.