Meet Elizabeth Cullen, 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 Cullen answered:

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

I am Betsy Cullen, a full-time working mother of three terrific daughters, ages 6 to 10, who are all students in our schools. For the past 17 years, I have been a lawyer focusing first in private practice at a large law firm and then providing general advice as a Vice President & Assistant General Counsel for two different companies. Before law school, I began my professional career in the arts and then as a classroom teacher at an Independent School where I had the joy of teaching 8th and 9th grade English and 12th grade Media Criticism. I also completed a Masters Degree at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education with a concentration in Administration, Planning & Social Policy.
My diverse background has enabled me to hone my natural curiosity to ask good questions, my innate motivation to understand what works to solve problems and my desire to feel inspired by what we, as people, are capable of making and achieving together. I am running for School Committee because:

• I believe in the importance of public service. My own parents volunteered in our town government when I was growing-up, and I wish my children to see by example that we can roll-up our sleeves, despite scarce time and work together to improve our collective futures.
• I believe public education is the largest and most important investment we make as a society, and I am committed to its power to be a great equalizer, builder of equity and source of safety and inspiration for all students–no matter their background, personal challenges and diverse strengths.
• I believe, even with Wayland’s impressive educational track record, there is always room for continued improvement, advancement & learning, and I stand ready to collaborate with my fellow committee members, our amazing faculty & staff and our citizens to continue to make Wayland’s schools work well for all our students.

You can learn more about me at Betsyforwayland.com.

Wayland schools have undergone some notable turmoil over the last year (and even farther 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?

Racism is a tragic and unavoidable aspect of the world and our nation’s history that should not be ignored but rather confronted head-on. The acts of racist graffiti targeting diverse groups and allegations of racist conduct in recent years have been heartbreaking. Out of that heartbreak, I have proudly participated in and observed a swell of community action aimed at increasing our understanding of bias, educating our children and ourselves, celebrating diversity, and speaking out against acts of hate in our town. My hope and belief is that we collectively possess a greater willingness to confront the existence of racism, inequity and bias along with a commitment to improve together. Continued awareness, inclusive discussions, and responsive action are needed as we move forward. I believe we all share a responsibility to set an example of such action for the next generation, and I look forward to joining the members of the School Committee, administration, faculty and our broader community in continuing the good work already underway.

READ: Meet Kate Sambuco, Incoming Wayland School Committee Member