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Back Row, L to R: Sharon Clarke, Joanne DaSilva Moreira, Linda Chow, Illana Nissenbaum. Front Row, Christina Horner (L), Niki Ofenloch

What’s New

RECENTLY UPDATED POLICIES

Voted at the November 18 Meeting:

POLICIES UNDER REVIEW: JECA –  and

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: At its meeting the School Committee received an . The update included details of three system options – VRF (full building A/C), heat pumps, and window units. Information on cost, electrical requirements, sustainability considerations, annual operating costs, pros/cons of each option and project schedules is included in the presentation. 

At its meeting, the School Committee voted unanimously to move the feasibility study forward with window unit option for all four buildings. Additionally, on a parallel track, the Committee stated it would continue to investigate a larger HVAC project at Bates that would include all electric heating and cooling systems. This was discussed as a possible project due to the age of the Bates school and routine HVAC work that is currently planned.

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 2025-26: The School Committee is pleased to offer office hours virtually, once a month during the school year. Office hours provide the community an opportunity for engagement with one or two members of the Committee.The next office hours will be February 3, 2026 at 9:00-10:00 AM. Sign up . º£½ÇÖ±²¥ members who wish to engage with the Committee are also encouraged to participate in Public Comment at 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, ChairTerm Ends 2027
Sharon Clarke, Vice ChairTerm Ends 2026
Illana Nissenbaum, SecretaryTerm Ends 2028
Linda Chow, MemberTerm Ends 2027
Christina I. Horner, M.Ed., MemberTerm Ends 2026

METCO Representative to School Committee:  Dr. Joanne DaSilva Moreira
Student Advisory Committee 2025-26:  Alex Budson-McQuilken, Stephanie Xia, 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