Nearly three years ago, during the previous round of collective bargaining for the 2023-2026 Wellesley educators and school staff, WEA membership voted 94% “No Confidence” in the leadership of the Wellesley Public Schools under Dr. David Lussier. Educators cited the district’s failure to adequately staff schools to meet students’ emotional, cultural, and creative needs; value the time and expertise educators invest in delivering high-quality instruction; ensure equitable employment practices for classroom and specialist teachers; provide modern parental leave; and invest in competitive compensation that attracts and retains both new and veteran educators.

Three years later, as the WEA once again negotiates a contract with the district and the School Committee considers renewing Dr. Lussier's contract, educators and school employees continue to express overwhelming concern and a lack of confidence in his leadership. Their concerns are reflected more broadly across the community. A survey of 260 residents delivered to the School Committee in May found that 85% of respondents opposed renewing Dr. Lussier’s contract, while a recent data-driven analysis by World of Wellesley highlighted the district’s limited progress toward its stated diversity and equity goals.

In Dr. Lussier's recent tenure, the community and the WEA have witnessed common themes: significant administrative bloat; high employee turnover; a lack of transparency and vision; diminishing staff morale and widening distrust among staff. Despite multi-year appeals for collaboration and proposals from the union, no progress has been made at the collective bargaining table to develop a mutually respectful evaluation tool for management.

We call on Wellesley educators, parents, and community members invested in strong public schools to join the WEA in calling on the Wellesley School Committee not to renew Dr. David Lussier’s contract and to begin the search for new leadership that reflects the values of the Wellesley community.