Around Town

LETTER: Watertown Parent Endorses School Committee Candidate

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Rachel Kay is a tireless advocate for Watertown students and parents. On her website, she has a small section on what she likes to do in her free time, but I doubt she actually has any free time! You know her name because she is involved in so many things. Whether it be formally in her role as an officer of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) or with the Commission on Disability, or informally when she attends various school forums or events or just watching her son’s baseball games. You may also see her actively involved in many Facebook group pages.

Around Town

LETTER: Fair Share Amendment Committee Members Back School Committee Candidate

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As members of Watertown for the Fair Share Amendment Committee, we very happy to write in support of Rachel Kay for School Committee. 

For over a year and half, a small group of us worked to successfully promote the passage of the Fair Share Amendment. Rachel understood early the value of the FSA to local schools and jumped in with enthusiasm. Voters of Massachusetts voted in favor of it in November 2022. The 4 percent tax on incomes over one million is projected to bring in over $2 billion every year. This revenue will support improvements to schools, higher education, early education, vocational training and adult education, plus transit. The Watertown for the Fair Share Amendment Committee organized forums, canvases, information campaigns, and did outreach to residents and community groups. We also asked the city council to join other Massachusetts councils in endorsing the Fair Share Amendment, which it did. All of these efforts led to the additional funding for our schools and learners.  

Rachel contributed more than hard work and steady diligence to this project. She stepped up when needed; taking initiative, facilitating communication, informing decision-making. Rachel is well organized, a fast learner, a good communicator and a strong collaborator.

Government

Pair of Candidate Forums to be Hosted by Watertown News, WCA-TV

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Come hear from the candidates in contested races in the 2023 Watertown Election during a pair of candidates forums.

Watertown Cable Access Television and Watertown News will team up to host a pair of in-person forums. The public is invited to attend, and the forums will be broadcast on Watertown Cable. The forum for the Council President candidates on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. in the Watertown Free Public Library’s Watertown Savings Bank Room. Incumbent Mark Sideris is being challenged by former Council President Clyde Younger. The library is located at 123 Main St.

Around Town

LETTER: Resident Supports Rachel Kay for School Committee

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I’ve been a Watertown resident since 2019 with my husband. As a queer Asian immigrant, I enjoy the diverse culture of Watertown communities, but also feel the city still has a lot of work to do to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for newcomers like me. I believe that starts at school, with the next generations. I met Rachel, in person, a year ago through World In Watertown , a long standing non-profit civic organization that protects and promotes non-discriminatory practices in this city. The board was looking for a clerk and I received many recommendations for Rachel because of her work in Watertown SEPAC (Special Education Parents Advisory Council), and the Commission on Disability.

Schools

LETTER: School Committee Member Seeks Re-Election

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School Committee member Kendra Foley seeks re-election. My name is Kendra Foley. I have served on the Watertown School Committee for eight years, the last two as Chair. I am running for re-election on November 7th and I am asking for one of your three votes for School Committee. I’m running for re-election because I love this community and I believe in the power, value and promise of public education.

Schools

School Committee Gives Superintendent High Marks

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The following School Committee Update was provided by Kendra Foley, the Chair of the Watertown School Committee:

The Watertown School Committee has been active this summer, meeting monthly to prepare for the upcoming school year and to address routine business. At our July meeting, the School Committee presented its annual evaluation of Dr. Galdston’s work as Superintendent. The review found that Dr. Galdston is meeting her goals, with all 7 members of the School Committee giving her a proficient or exemplary rating in her overall job performance. You can read the full review, with comments from each member of the committee, here. The committee is grateful for the Superintendent’s steady and thoughtful leadership. We are lucky to have her leading the Watertown Public Schools.

Government

2023 Watertown Election Features Races for Council President & School Committee

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The candidates running for City office in 2023 have been set, and Watertown voters will have to choose from the current and a former City Council President, and will elect at least one new School Committee member. The deadline to file to run in the Nov. 7 Watertown City Election was Monday at 5 p.m.

Council President

Mark Sideris, the Council President since 2010, will face the man he defeated to become President in 2009. Clyde Younger filed to run on Monday. He served as Council President from 1997-2004, and 2006-2009, and also has been elected to the Council, School Committee, and Town Meeting, before Watertown went to the Council-Manager style of government.

Around Town

LETTER: Mother, School Social Worker Announces Her Bid for School Committee

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Lisa Capoccia

Dear friends and members of the Watertown Community,

My name is Lisa Capoccia and I’m excited to share this announcement of my candidacy for the Watertown Public Schools (WPS) School Committee. My decision to pursue this seat is based on a strong desire to advance WPS efforts to be responsive to the changing and increasingly complex needs of its student population. This decision follows ten years (starting when my daughter began the Lowell pre-K) of collaborating and advocating on behalf of students, families, and staff in the district. I thoroughly enjoy this work which is rooted in my strong commitment to equity and belief in the impact public education has on our collective future. It compliments my current position as a school social worker/adjustment counselor in Newton Schools and past work in public health.