The latest episode of Inside Watertown focuses on the Watertown Public Schools during COVID-19, and what’s going on with the school construction projects.
Superintendent Dede Galdston and Town Council President Mark Sideris joined co-hosts Charlie Breitrose and John Airasian via Zoom to talk about the schools.
Galdston discussed the evolution of remote learning in Watertown after the COVID-19 outbreak closed the schools. She also touched on planning for next fall, when she hopes students and teachers will be back in their classrooms.
Meanwhile, the construction of the new Cunniff and Hosmer schools are moving full speed ahead. The episode was filmed before the School Building Committee approved the $103 million contract with Brait Building Corp. to build both schools. The Town Council must still approve funding of the project, which will be paid for through Town’s operational budget.
There is more uncertainty about the Watertown High School construction project, which is being done through the Massachusetts School Building Authority program. The Coronavirus outbreak has slowed progress on that project.
View the episode below, via the Watertown Cable website:
Dear Charlie, John, Dede, and Mark,
Bravo! This segment of Inside Watertown is excellent and a “must see” for everyone in Watertown. It’s informative, positive, and highlights how everyone is pulling together to figure out the “new normal”. Great job on the part of parents, students, teachers, WPS admin, the School Building Committee, Town officials, WCA-TV, Ai3, and the OPM team in recalibrating around so many issues – teaching, student outreach, public safety, the launch of our school building projects, the budget, and so much more – with thoughtfulness, humor, grit, and transparency. Yes, there will be ongoing hiccups and more unforeseen readjustments. That’s pretty much guaranteed in this new era. Our community resiliency, creativity, and collaborative “smarts” will serve us well as we move forward.
Given what is going on at the national level, this interview provided a very bright spot in my week. Heartfelt thanks to all. Onward we go.
Elodia