Schools

Proposed Watertown School Budget Cuts Multiple Positions, Increases Athletics, Busing Fees

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Watertown School officials, with the guidance of the School Committee, have reduced a shortfall of $2.5 million and came up with a budget that would have a $700,000 surplus, according to the presentation made Monday by Superintendent Dede Galdston. The total Watertown Public Schools Fiscal Year 2027 budget is $64.59 million, a $2.48 million or 4% increase from FY2026. The budget provides a level services budget from the current school year, which means that the district provides the same programs and generally includes the same staffing levels, although some positions have been eliminated and others added in the budget. The School Committee will discuss the proposed budget and vote on it at a meeting on Thursday, March 26 at 5:15 p.m. to be held remotely. See details here.

Around Town

Watertown Group Providing Musical Accompaniment to Boston Area Protests

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Rosie and the Resister performed at a No Kings Rally in Boston in March. (Contributed Photo)

Rosie and the Resisters have hit political protests big and small around the Boston area, and will appear at a pair of No Kings III protests including one in Watertown. Rosie is not a signer or even musician, she is Watertown resident Thomas Michel’s red accordion. “She, and I, accompany a strong group of singers from Watertown and neighboring communities,” Michel said. “Rosie and the Resisters were on stage at the big No Kings Rally on Boston Common back in March, and will be back on the Common on Saturday to lead songs at the rally.”

Government

City Has $4M Left from Elementary School Projects, Which Will Go to High School & Middle School Projects

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Cunniff Elementary School is one of three elementary schools in Watertown to be rebuilt or renovated. The projects closed out with a combined surplus of $4 million. The new school opened in 2021. (Photo by Watertown Public Schools)

Watertown’s elementary school building projects finished with a surplus of more than $4 million, which will allow the high school construction project to stay on budget, and fund designs for a potential new middle school. On Tuesday night, the City Council approved transfers of the $4,052,660 left over from the construction of the new Cunniff and Hosmer elementary schools, and the renovation and expansion of Lowell Elementary School.

Government

Members of Congress Get a Look Inside Watertown’s School Lunch Program, School Farming Class

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Congresswoman Katherine Clark and Congressman Jim McGovern have lunch with Hosmer School second-graders Maya and Daphne. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A pair of enthusiastic Hosmer Elementary School ambassadors showed two members of Congress around their school Wednesday, ending with a meal cooked up by the school cafeteria staff that featured produce grown in Watertown High School’s hydroponic farm. Congressman Jim McGovern and Congresswoman Katherine Clark visited Watertown as part of McGovern’s End Hunger Now Tour of Massachusetts, in support of the bill he filed on Capitol Hill to increase the amount of federal funding for school breakfasts and lunches. Hosmer second-graders Maya and Daphne guided the two members of Congress through the hallways, into classrooms, through the media center, up and down stairs, and finally through the lunch line in the cafeteria. Watertown City Council President Mark Sideris, left, speaks with Congresswoman Katherine Clark and Congressman Jim McGovern during their tour of Hosmer Elementary School, led by Maya and Daphne.

Charity

Buzz Off Comedy Night Will Raise Money to Fight Kids Cancer

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The Buzz Off fund raiser for One Mission Helping Kids Fight Cancer in Watertown will feature Comedian Will Noonan. The Buzz Off will be on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Hibernian Hall, 151 Watertown St., Watertown. Doors open at 6 p.m. and show begins at 7 p.m.

Noonan was named  “Boston’s Best Comedian” by The Improper Bostonian magazine in 2018. Following the comedy, music will be provided by Dean Corsi. The event will be hosted by Watertown’s Brady Gleason,

The Buzz Off features a cash bar, a 50/50 raffle, and pizza and other food will be available for purchase.

Around Town

Contractors Coordinating with East End Businesses Ahead of Sidewalk Replacements

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Kristopher Surette of Tighe & Bond shows the plans for the Mt. Auburn Street Project to members of the Coolidge Square business community. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Businesses in Coolidge Square will face some disruptions from the construction taking place over the spring, summer, and fall of 2026. Sidewalks will be ripped up and replaced as part of the Mt. Auburn Street Project.