Elections

LETTER: Group of Parents Advocate for School Committee Candidate

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Dear Watertown Residents,

We enthusiastically and unequivocally endorse Jessica Middlebrook for Watertown School Committee. Because of her significant experience as an educator and her commitment to equity and inclusion, she is uniquely equipped to represent and champion our community’s educational priorities. She will ensure that our schools foster environments that care for students’ wellbeing, promote learning, and lay the foundation for students’ success. Jessica would add a vital, empathetic perspective to the Watertown School Committee as our community makes policy decisions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other matters that affect the learning and wellbeing of our students. As a school mental health counselor, we are confident that Jessica not only possesses the knowledge and experience to shepherd our schools through turbulent times, but that her perspectives on the School Committee would strengthen our schools and benefit learners for years to come.

Election 2021

LETTER: School Committee Candidate Would be Voice for Parents & Students

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I met Rachel in the playground and my first impression of her was gentle spoken and genuinely kind. While COVID kept students and parents socially distanced, I got more opportunities to connect with her. As a woman of color and an immigrant who did not attend grade school here, I was always reluctant to share my thoughts with anyone. Part of it because I was not familiar with the system, another part of it was the fear of being viewed as “a trouble maker.” Rachel has been selfless with sharing everything she knows about education scientifically, realistically, as well as encouraging me and other parents to share our voice. I support Rachel for School Committee because we desperately need a voice for parents and students, safe guarding the bottom line of “doing the right thing.” Rachel is transparent about what Watertown is good at, and what we can do better, not limited to the K-12 level, but equipping our children beyond the 12th Grade.

Election 2021

See How to Watch the School Committee Candidate Forum Replay

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Watch the candidates for School Committee discuss a variety of subjects at the Oct. 14 candidate forum. The six candidates appeared on the virtual forum co-hosted by Watertown Cable Access TV and Watertown News. Watch the forum on the Watertown Cable website by clicking here: vodwcatv.org/CablecastPublicSite/show/1267?channel=1

Also, mark your calendar for Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. when the forum featuring the District Town Council candidates will be held.

Elections

School Committee Candidate Forum on Thursday, Candidate Interviews Available on Cable

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Charlie Breitrose

Learn about the candidates running for office in Watertown this fall at a live candidate forum featuring the School Committee hopefuls on Thursday, and hear what the people running in all the races during interviews recorded by Watertown Cable. On Oct. 14 at 7 p.m., Watertown News and Watertown Cable Access TV will co-host the School Committee Candidate Forum. The event will be broadcast live by Watertown Cable on the Public Channel (Comcast Ch. 9, RCN Ch.

Election 2021

LETTER: Candidate Has Unique Qualifications for School Committee

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As a parent of two children in Watertown Public Schools, I write to encourage fellow Watertown residents to support Rachel Kay for School Committee. Among the candidates for the open seats, she is uniquely qualified to represent our concerns and to work to improve our schools. The past year and a half of the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of making school policy decisions that are informed by science. As a data scientist with a long and distinguished career in education research, Rachel Kay will expand upon this evidence-based approach to running our schools. As Director of Admissions Research and Data Analysis at MIT, with a PhD in Education Research, Measurement, and Evaluation, Rachel brings a unique skill set to the job.

Election 2021

LETTER: Group of Residents Support Candidate for School Committee

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During her current term as School Committee member, Lily Rayman-Read has demonstrated a desire to work with teachers, administrators, and Watertown families, and advocate for all members of our Watertown school community. She is part of a team responsible for the building of 3 new elementary schools and is in advanced planning stages for a new high school in collaboration with the Massachusetts School Building Authority. The execution of these projects has been impressive, leading to the expected completion of the Cunniff and the Hosmer elementary schools ahead of schedule. Lily has been instrumental in bringing transparency and openness to the Watertown School Committee by providing frequent updates on social media and answering questions from the community whenever possible. This level of engagement is an important and welcome change to the way Watertown families can interact with the School Committee.

Election 2021

LETTER: Former Watertown School Committee Member Makes Endorsement

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Dear Watertown Voters, 

I served for three consecutive four year terms on the Watertown School Committee beginning in the late nineties.  

As a candidate, I made one promise to the citizens of Watertown that I would always ask myself one simple question, “Is my vote in the best interest of Watertown’s children?”

This year, there is a school committee candidate, Jennifer (Holt) Nicholson, who I am confident will be asking that same question. I have known Jennifer since she was born. She has grown into a woman who is passionate about education and fully invested in our community.  She has the drive, intelligence, commitment, and above all, the common sense needed to be an excellent School Committee member. 

Please join me in voting for Jennifer Nicholson for Watertown School Committee. Thank You,Steve Messina