Meet Kate Sambuco, Incoming Wayland School Committee Member

WAYLAND, MA — There are no contested races in Wayland's 2024 school committee election, but voters still have an opportunity to get acquainted with the candidates who will help to run the school system over the next few years.

Kate Sambuco and Elizabeth Cullen are the only two candidates in a two-way race, with four-term incumbent Ellen Grieco not seeking reelection. Member Jeanne Downs was appointed in 2023 after former member Jessica Polizotti resigned, but Downs, who previously served three terms on the committee, is not running for a full term in 2024.

Wayland Patch asked Sambuco and Cullen to answer two questions to help voters get to know them better. Here's how Sambuco answered:

Can you tell voters a little bit about yourself and explain why you're running for a school committee seat this year?

My name is Kate Sambuco, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to run for Wayland School Committee. I have been a Wayland resident for 8 years and have three elementary-aged children. I’ve had the privilege of volunteering for many community organizations, including 4 years as the Loker School PTO President, 2 years as the Townwide PTO President, 4 years on the Wayland Public Schools Foundation board, and 3 years on the Wayland Children and Parents Association board. I have also recently joined the newly formed SPIRIT Council. My responsibilities in each of these organizations have been to foster communication, partnership, and growth in our community, and I aim to continue this on the School Committee.

Inclusive education is a topic that is incredibly important to me personally and professionally. For 15 years I have worked at the Institute for Community Inclusion, a nonprofit organization that advocates for the inclusion of people with disabilities in education, employment, and community life. As an instructional designer, I work with subject matter experts in disability policy to write, produce, and support online learning, educational video, and multimedia content that supports inclusive practices in all areas of life. When I began this work, I quickly learned the importance of creating environments where every individual is valued, respected, and included. Our personal family journey has reinforced my dedication to advocate for inclusive education and greatly contributed to my desire to become a School Committee member.

I’m running for School Committee because I want to use my community and professional experience to advocate for budgeting, policies, and initiatives that promote equity and a sense of belonging in our schools.

Wayland schools have undergone some notable turmoil over the last year (and even further back) related to racial issues and the former superintendent. What do you think about what's happened over the last year, and how do you think the district should move forward?

The challenges our community has faced over the last year are painful and complex. It’s essential that we acknowledge these challenges and make a commitment to addressing them with empathy and a dedication to positive change. We all have a responsibility to create an environment where every student, family, and staff member feels valued, respected, and included. I’ve seen the many ways that the School Committee and district employees have worked hard this year to create a sense of transparency, open communication, and collaboration within the community. As a School Committee member, I’m committed to supporting these efforts.

Serving on the Committee provides an opportunity to actively shape and support policies that ensure all students have access to the support and resources they need to thrive in our schools and community. There are many opportunities for growth in Wayland, including ensuring that special education services are equitably aligned across all buildings, fostering an environment where all students and staff feel safe and supported, consistently offering diversity, equity, and inclusion programming across all grade levels, and ensuring that school staff receive the professional development opportunities necessary to effectively meet the diverse needs of our student body.

I'm eager to continue serving our community and collaborating to create a more inclusive and supportive educational environment for all.