Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/government/elections/)
The race for Watertown School Committee features five candidates and at least one new person will join the committee. Watertown News reached out to the candidates to find out more about them. See details in the Candidate Q&As. Two incumbents seek re-election, and three candidates seeking a seat (one of whom has experience on the School Committee). Voters can select three candidates for School Committee 2025 Watertown Municipal Election.
Vincent Piccirilli
Why do you want to represent District C on the City Council? My reasons for wanting to serve our community are the same as when I first ran in 2007. I am running because I want to live in a vibrant, diverse, safe community with pretty tree-lined streets and great schools; because I want to live in a community that is financially well-run, avoiding ongoing fiscal crisis; and because I want to live in a community with engaged residents, where everyone feels like they belong. Tell voters about your background and qualifications for being a City Councilor. I’m an engineer, currently working as a Business Analyst, with 40 years business experience managing people, projects and budgets.
Tony Palomba
Why do you want to serve on the City Council? I have been a Councilor-at-Large for 16 years. I want to serve for another two years so I can use the experience and knowledge I gained to continue to serve the residents of Watertown and to make Watertown an even better place to live, work, raise a family and be a senior. I want to serve again so I can follow the best practices I have learned such as listening to and learning from city staff, citizen-volunteers, and those with different ideas from mine; being patient, but persistent, while working to create policies and programs; responding to the day-to-day concerns of residents in a timely manner; and doing everything possible to ensure that Watertown stands for equality and justice. I want to serve again because I want to build on our many wonderful accomplishments such as the creation of the Affordable Housing Trust, ongoing efforts to implement our Climate and Energy Plan, expanding open space, and protecting existing and creating new housing.
Tom Tracy
Why do you want to serve on the City Council? I want to bring my unique work experience to help shape the future of Watertown, maintain our financial flexibility, and continue improving our buildings and infrastructure. Tell voters about your background and qualifications for being a City Councilor
My experience as Watertown’s Auditor for 29 years, which included 7 years as Asst. City Manager for Finance as well as Acting City Manager for 8 months, has allowed me to know how all the City Departments operate. I know how all the monies come in, and I know how all the monies are spent!
Joe Ganno
Why do you want to serve on the School Committee? I want to be a voice for all families and help create a shared vision for Watertown Public Schools. I strongly believe in Watertown Public Schools’ values of equity, excellence and community. I believe an engaged community heightens the level of equity for our students. I believe an engaged community helps our students excel.
Tell voters about your background and qualifications for being a School Committee member. I’m a lifelong resident and graduated of Watertown Public Schools. I have 2 boys who attend the Hosmer. A few of the reasons I feel qualified to be a School Committee member are my community engagement and professional experiences.
Amy Donohue
Why do you want to serve on the School Committee? After almost eight years on the School Committee, I want to continue to serve because I love this community. Our students, teachers, and families deserve leaders who listen, collaborate, and always put students first. I believe every child deserves an excellent education and the opportunity to thrive.
Tell voters about your background and qualifications for being a School Committee member. I’ve proudly served on the Watertown School Committee for eight years.
David Stokes
Why do you want to serve on the School Committee? I had the distinct honor of serving on the School Committee 2020-2023, through the challenging COVID-19 pandemic. I see other equally daunting challenges just ahead in the next 4 years: economic uncertainty, anxiety, and social unrest are reported in the news daily, and public education is being devalued and pushed aside, furthered by diminishing federal funding. I am passionate about public education and preserving the important role it plays in this nation! Education can be a great equalizer, if we commit to combatting bias, supporting mental and physical health, removing barriers for students and families with challenges, and fostering creativity and curiosity within our schools.
Jessica Middlebrook
Why do you want to serve on the School Committee? Four years ago, I ran for the Watertown School Committee to support vibrant, inclusive schools that allow all students equitable opportunities to a high quality education. The past four years on the Committee have taught me so much and the knowledge and skills I have gained can only be put to use by running again. As a Committee, we have accomplished a lot in the past four years and I would love the opportunity to build on those accomplishments, which include launching universal Pre-K and a comprehensive Restorative Justice program, expanding the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging department to include a Restorative Practices Facilitator, Student Leadership Development Coordinator, Equity Facilitators at each school, and Family Liaisons at each elementary school, and piloting and launching new, high quality, evidence based curricula. The results are showing: this year, Watertown Public Schools was recognized by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for combating COVID-era learning loss.
Sheila Krishnan
Why do you want to serve on the School Committee? As a parent of two elementary school students in the Watertown Public Schools and as someone who is an engaged parent and community volunteer, I am invested in the quality of the education and the environment that our students are learning in. There are many important investments that Watertown has made in the public schools, and it’s important to me to ensure that this work continues and is protected despite other potential threats at the state and federal levels.
Tell voters about your background and qualifications for being a School Committee member. I have a Master’s degree in Public Health and the majority of my direct public health work was focused on helping colleges and universities implement programs focused on mental health and suicide prevention. About 9 years ago, I transitioned into career services in higher ed and am currently the Director of Career and Professional Development at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health where I help public health graduate students get jobs.
