Unlike Other Districts, Watertown Prepares to Open School With Nearly Full Staff

On Monday, Superintendent Dede Galdston welcomed 42 teachers who are new to the district during the orientation at Hosmer Elementary School. When school opens on Sept. 3, Watertown will be in a position that is enviable to other communities.

According to WBZ Channel 4, there are nearly 4,800 open teaching positions in Massachusetts, and the TV station approached the Watertown Schools while doing the story, Galdston said.

“Our Communications Strategist fielded a request from WBZ to see if we have a comment about staffing shortages. He said ‘I am not sure you want to speak to us because we are doing well,'” Galdston said. “

Since March, the Watertown Schools have hired 42 teachers, and one vacancy remains, Galdston told the School Committee Monday night.

School Committee member Rachel Kay saw the segment.

“It was nice to see you on TV this evening, but it is also nice to know that we are in such a good place with hiring,” Kay said. “We’ve seen and heard about other districts that are really struggling and I just wanted to give my appreciation to you and your team for making sure that both the financial situation and for being such a welcoming district that we are not struggling, for the most part — I know we still have a few openings.”

The atmosphere at the teacher welcome event was very positive, Galdston said.

“I want to share how exciting it is to greet the 41 new teachers at the Hosmer, I hired the 42d teacher Saturday,” Galdston said. “I think this year, more than ever, there is a feeling of excitement for the beginning of the year. Usually when you get 41 new teachers in a room you feel anxiety and trepidation. They were thrilled and smiling and just ready to go.”

One activity the new teachers participated in was a welcoming circle.

“(We want) to make sure the get the first taste of what we are doing in Watertown Public Schools is around the restorative practices and building community, and I think that was a great way to start the next several years that they are going to be with us,” Galdston said.

The rest of the Watertown Schools staff returned Tuesday. School Committee Vice Chair Lily Rayman Read had some words of appreciation for the people preparing for the beginning of school.

“A huge thank you to everyone about to make the 2024-25 school year happen,” she said. “Everyone from Dr. Galdston to the cafeteria workers, to the custodians who are probably there right now frantically setting up to make sure the auditorium, the cafeteria, all the spaces are ready for the teachers to come in for in-service work over the next few days.”

Rayman Read, who teaches in another district, said she knows what it is like to be prepping for a new school year.

“To any teacher who is out there who is probably freaking out as much as I am about walking into that building tomorrow, I am there with you,” she said. “It’s hard. It’s scary. You are going to be amazing. Each and every one of you is going to go in there and make a difference. I am so excited for what Watertown has in store.”

For parents, Rayman Read reminded them to make sure everything is set for their children to start the new year

“Check any communications that you have received,” she said. “If you have gotten any emails about any forms that need to be filled out please fill out your forms.”

The School Committee also approved changes to the School Handbooks for Watertown High School, Watertown Middle School, Elementary Schools, and the whole District.

See the WBZ piece by clicking here.