What’s New
RECENTLY UPDATED POLICIES
Voted at the August 18, 2026 Meeting:
Voted at the March 24, 2026 Meeting:
POLICIES UNDER REVIEW
FEASIBILITY STUDY – AIR CONDITIONING
Wellesley Town Meeting unanimously approved Article 18 at the 2025 Annual Town Meeting, appropriating up to $182,000 for a comprehensive study of options for air conditioning at the Bates, Fiske, Schofield schools and Wellesley Middle School.
Update on Feasibility Study: Following small-scale classroom pilot installations that outperformed expectations, the School Committee voted unanimously in May 2026 to support a plan that would upgrade electrical systems and utilize window units in classrooms and libraries. The Committee plans to request design funds at the Fall Special Town Meeting.
Additional background: December 9, 2025 []
Current Project Timeline
- Currently In-Progress: Project Feasibility Study
- Fall 2026: Request Design Funds at Special Town Meeting
- Fall 2027: Request Construction Funds at Special Town Meeting
- Late Fall/Early Winter 2027: Town-wide Debt Exclusion vote (this assumes funding will require a debt exclusion)
- Summer/Fall 2028: Construction
The following background materials have additional information on this project:
OFFICE HOURS 2026-27: The School Committee is pleased to offerÌýoffice hours virtually, once a month during the school year.ÌýOffice hoursÌýprovide the community an opportunity for engagement with one or two members of the Committee. The next office hours will be on Sepetember 15 from 9:00 – 10:00 am. Sign up . º£½ÇÖ±²¥ members who wish to engage with the Committee are also encouraged to participate inÌýPublic CommentÌýat a future meeting, or email the Committee and the Superintendent at school_committee@wellesleyps.org.
About the School Committee
The School Committee is a legislative body comprised of 5 members elected during town elections in March and who serve 3-year terms. In addition to supporting the core values, vision and mission of the º£½ÇÖ±²¥, the Committee’s responsibilities are to:
- Develop and manage
- Support the allocation of resources by overseeing budget & facilities
- Hire and review superintendent of schools
- Advocate for the school district
School Committee Members (see bios and ):
| Niki Ofenloch, Chair | Term Ends 2027 |
| Dr. Costas Panagopoulos, Vice Chair | Term Ends 2029 |
| Illana Nissenbaum, Secretary | Term Ends 2028 |
| Linda Chow, Member | Term Ends 2027 |
| Robert Sullivan, Member | Term Ends 2029 |
METCO Representative to School Committee: Dr. Joanne DaSilva Moreira
Student Advisory Committee 2026-27: Peter Livingston, Daniel Luo, Ben Mahoney, Sanah Goenka, Maria Hammel, Janelle Albert
To send a message to the School Committee & Superintendent, please email: School_Committee@wellesleyps.org. To send a message to individual members, click their name above for their direct email address.
Core Values
- Academic Excellence
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
- Commitment to º£½ÇÖ±²¥
- Value and Respect for Human Differences
- Caring and Cooperative Relationships
Meetings & Materials
Meetings are held primarily on Tuesdays remotely online via Wellesley Media. Please check the and for up-to-date information on meeting dates and agendas. Refer to Agendas, Presentations & Minutes for materials from meetings that have already taken place.
Watch School Committee meetings , on Comcast channels 8 & 9, or Verizon channels 39 & 40.
School Committee Outreach
Members of the School Committee participate in many different forms of community outreach & engagement during the school year, including:
- Monthly Office Hours
- Participation in monthly Central Council of PTO meetings
- “School Committee Conversations” at each school, and/or visits to school PTO meetings (advertised via school newsletters)
- Participation in districtwide initiatives (e.g., the Future of Preschool Task force, the Academic Calendar Task Force, and others)
- Additional outreach to groups and individuals as needed