Schools

School Committee Update: Support of LGBTQ Students & Staff, Possible Budget Shortfall

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The School Committee update was provided by the School Committee Chair Kendra Foley:

The Watertown School Committee has had a busy start to 2025, with three meetings in the last six weeks that have been filled with reports, votes, and action items.

In the face of executive orders that threaten the safety, security, health, and humanity of the LGBTQ community, our committee unanimously reaffirmed our 2018 resolution supporting LGBTQ students and staff. Every student and staff member of the WPS community is entitled to an environment that feels safe, respectful, and welcoming, in which they can learn and work free from bullying, harassment, intimidation, threats, and violence. The WPS School Committee is committed to providing such an environment, and it will stand up to actions made by individuals or institutions to threaten, intimidate, or harm transgender and gender nonconforming students and staff. This commitment is grounded not only in our shared values but also in our adherence to Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 76, Section 5, which ensures that “no person shall be excluded or discriminated against in our schools based on race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation.”

Budget season is underway. Initial numbers show that, with the city’s annual 3.5 percent funding increase, WPS would still be on pace for a shortfall of $495,000 to meet a level services budget.

Schools

Pair of Watertown Educators Running 2025 Boston Marathon For Causes Close to Them

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Watertown educators Cheryl Wermer, left, and Maureen Murphy — pictured with her four children — will run the 2025 Boston Marathon. UPCOMING FUNDRAISER: Get Lively Health & Fitness Studio in Watertown will host a fundraising workout class for Boston Marathon runners Maureen Murphy and Cheryl Wermer’s charities. Also, Whiting Pond, will provide free charcuterie cups for all guests. All proceeds will go to Children’s Hospital and FamilyAid. The workout class Saturday, Feb. 8 at 10:30 a.m.

(See the original story from Jan. 15, 2025 bel0w)

Two Watertown Public School employees have set their sites on the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Copley Square this year, and each will raise money for causes close to their hearts.

Schools

UPDATED: Watertown’s Extended Day Program Salaries to be Discussed by School Committee

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The School Committee will hold a pair of meetings on July 29 to discuss the compensation for the Extended Day program staff. The after school program, which is run by Watertown Community Education with the Watertown Schools acting as its fiscal agent, has a waiting list of 38 students, according to Superintendent Dede Galdston. The School Committee will discuss compensation for Extended Day employees to assist in recruitment, Galdston added. The program has had waiting in previous years, and the number on the list is similar to last year, Galdston said. “We limit the number of students to ensure a safe and supportive environment, based on the historical staffing that EDP can sustain,” she said.

Schools

School Committee Wraps Up FY25 Budget, Approves 2024-25 School Calendar

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By Kendra FoleyChair, Watertown School Committee

It has been a busy month for the Watertown School Committee as we wrap up the FY25 budget process. In the last three meetings, our board has heard a number of important presentations, voted on policy changes, and celebrated major accomplishments. We have come to an agreement with Superintendent Galdston on a 4-year contract extension through 2028. Dr. Galdston has been an excellent leader for Watertown, bringing expertise, commitment and stability. We are thrilled to have her leading the Watertown Public Schools for another four years.

Schools

Watertown Schools to Add Music Teachers, Tutors & Field Trip Aid in FY25 Budget

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Watertown’s school budget will increase by $2 million, and additions include music teachers, math and literacy tutors, English as a second language teachers, and financial assistance to help all students go on field trips and school trips. The 2024-25 Watertown Public Schools budget will increase by 3.5 percent from the current year, for a total budget of $59.599 million. City Manager George Proakis said the Watertown Public Schools will receive a 3.5 percent increase when he presented the preliminary budget in October. Superintendent Dede Galdston said the budget represents a level services budget, which maintains the services provided by the district the prior year. This includes salary increases, and additional positions to maintain services.

Schools

Superintendent Given Four Year Extension Which Will Take Her to Over a Decade in Watertown

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Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston. The School Committee thanked Superintendent Dede Galdston for her efforts in Watertown this week when they approved an extension to her contract. On April 8, the School Committee unanimously approved a four-year extension for Galdston. Her salary increased by more than $26,000 to $220,000 in the first year of the contract, with future year’s salaries to be set by the School Committee after her annual review. Galdston said she looked forward to finishing some of the initiatives that have started in her time in the Watertown Public Schools.

Around Town

Life Science Companies’ Collaboration With Watertown Schools Will be Featured at Event

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The Watertown Business Coalition’s Life Science Panel returns on April 9 at the Mosesian Center for the Arts. See the WBC’s announcement below. The Fourth Annual WBC Life Science Panel this year is called “Learning to Love Science.” This years program will focus on the amazing partnership between Watertown High School and local life science companies, thanks to the hard work of our friend Merle Kummer and the board of “CoLAB.”

CoLAB is a nonprofit organization in Watertown, MA where local life science professionals and high school educators collaborate to inspire student interest in STEM careers – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math – and build new levels of STEM self-confidence. Watertown’s life science cluster continues to be a bigger part of Watertown’s economic growth – and students enrichment should be a part of that growth! WE WOULD LOVE FOR MOMS, DADS, STUDENTS and TEACHERS to join us!

Schools

Watertown Schools Received $20K in Grants from Community Foundation & Local Biotechs

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Community Foundation:

The Watertown Community Foundation (WCF) in collaboration with three Watertown-based life science companies, C4 Therapeutics, Enanta Pharmaceuticals, and Kymera Therapeutics has awarded $20,000 in STEM grants for students in Watertown Public Schools (WPS). This additional funding for STEM initiatives will bring WCF Education grant funding to WPS to an annual high of $55,000 for 2023-2024. Three corporate contributors, C4 Therapeutics, Enanta Pharmaceuticals, and Kymera Therapeutics have contributed $15,000 to the WCF STEM FUND to help bring elementary and high-school students the opportunity to participate in hands-on, science-based learning that expands beyond the classroom experience and the general curriculum. This collective giving program also allows companies, leaders and employees in Watertown’s life-science ecosystem to learn about WPS and forge deeper relationships with the school STEM community. The WCF has committed an additional $5,000 to support this program.