>> School Committee: Beth Butler

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Town Service:

Appointed Member: Youth Advisory Committee to Wayland Youth and Family Services, 2005 – present

Professional Career:

Mediator and Arbitrator, JAMS – The Resolution Experts, Boston, MA, 2008 – present
Mediator and Arbitrator, Private Practice, 2004-2008
Trial Judge, Massachusetts Superior Court, Boston, MA, 1990-2003
Litigation Partner, Morrison, Mahoney & Miller, Boston, MA, 1987-1990 (Litigation Associate, 1983-1987)
Litigation Partner, Grabill & Ley, Boston, MA, 1980-1983 (Litigation Associate, 1977-1980)
Assistant District Attorney, Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office, Cambridge, MA, 1975-1977

Educational Background:

J.D., Boston College Law School
B.A., Smith College

Candidate Statement:

I decided to run for the open seat on the School Committee this year when I learned that Deb Cohen, a lawyer, was completing her term of dedicated service to the town. In addition to the crucial task of preparing the schools’ annual budget, the School Committee will be facing many issues in the coming three years which will benefit from review by a member with legal knowledge and experience: negotiation and implementation of upcoming employment contracts, oversight of the high school building project, and ensuring compliance with existing and new laws and regulations, including those concerning bullying, to name just a few. As a lawyer myself, and a practicing mediator and arbitrator, I believe that, if elected, I will be able to contribute in a meaningful way to the challenging work of the Committee. I also believe that my experience as a Massachusetts Superior Court judge for thirteen years honed skills that are equally applicable to this kind of work: listening carefully, weighing evidence in highly complex matters, understanding legal issues, treating parties and advocates fairly, and making difficult decisions, while encouraging respectful discussion of the issues in an open and fair manner.

Like so many other people in this town, my husband, Jim Grumbach, and I were drawn to Wayland by its reputation for excellent schools. As a member of the School Committee, I will continue my commitment to maintaining that excellence. I’ve been directly involved in the Wayland schools since 1995 when our daughter started kindergarten, and I continue now, with our younger son at the high school. (My older son, also a lawyer, lives in a neighboring town with his wife and three children.) And, like many parents, I’ve supported and actively participated in many of the programs offered by the school department, the PTOs, WaylandCares, the Wayland Public Schools Foundation, and Wayland Youth and Family Services.

As a product of a public education myself, I realize that one of the keys to an excellent school system is community involvement. Wayland is fortunate in having so many involved and informed residents working to better the town and its schools in myriad ways. I believe that thoughtful, informed decision-making and effective communication by the School Committee encourages community support for the educational goals of our school system.

Since Jim and I moved to Wayland in 1988, we have been committed to working for the public good. We have voted and attended town meetings consistently. I’m active with many organizations including the Friends of the Wayland Library and the Wayland Historical Society. For the past five years, I’ve served as an appointed member of the Youth Advisory Committee, which works directly with Wayland Youth & Family Services. That organization, staffed by licensed professionals, provides services, referrals and programs to Wayland’s youth and families. Last year, Jim completed a nine year period of service on the town’s Zoning Board.

I have a deep appreciation for the work of previous generations of elected and appointed officials, employees, volunteers, and citizens who have made this town a special place to live. I would be honored to serve you, the residents of Wayland, on the Wayland School Committee, and I respectfully ask you for your vote on Tuesday, May 11, 2010.