Letters

LETTER: Parent Urges Officials to Prioritize Keeping Class Sizes Low

By |

To the Editor:

Watertown Strong Schools has spent a lot of time focused on understanding the state of Watertown Public Schools. We analyzed data, met with town leaders and residents, interviewed administrators, and surveyed teachers. What we have concluded and have worked to clearly and objectively explain, is that the schools are at a crisis point. If left unchecked and underfunded, the problems will continue to get worse. While the Town Manager’s current education budget has made many positive steps and is larger than it has been in the past, it will not address class size in any meaningful way.

Sports

Watertown Baseball Team Picked for Post Season

By |

The Watertown High School baseball team hits road for its first state tournament game. The Raiders look to continue a season that the players dedicated to fall Boston Firefighter Ed Walsh, a WHS alum and former baseball standout (click here for more details). Watertown plays on Thursday, May 29 at 3:30 p.m. at Bishop Fenwick. Watertown (10-10) got the 18th seed in the Div. 3 North Section tournament.

Government

Funding Retirement System Will Save Money Later, Won’t Help Schools Now

By |

The Fiscal 2015 budget includes $12 million to fund the shortfall in the retirement system, but in a few years it will reap $32 million in savings. Like all communities in Massachusetts, Watertown has an unfunded liability in its retirement benefits and the difference must be made up. The town now funds about 68 percent of the benefits, and needs about$53 million to fully fund it. The town had been working toward funding the shortfall by 2022 by paying in about $10 million a year, but last year the Watertown Retirement Board – at the request of the Town Council – voted to accelerate the funding of the shortfall. Each year from Fiscal 2015 to 2018 Watertown will pay an additional $1.575 million toward funding retirement benefits – meaning the town will pay in $12.2 million in Fiscal 2015 and keep adding until it pays $16.9 million in Fiscal 2018.

Letters

LETTER: Final Push for the Watertown School Budget

By |

Dear Editor,

I am the mom of a current and soon-to-be WPS student, as well as a public policy researcher who has worked for two decades across four continents with colleagues in government, business, and academia. I became focused on WPS when I realized that across the fifth grade, students were receiving minimal feedback, spending more time memorizing worksheets than engaged in project-based learning, and experiencing increased behavioral problems. Examining MCAS results, I noted that 20% of WPS students who were proficient in math in third grade, no longer met minimal standards by fourth grade, despite the fact that statewide, students perform better from year to year. As a mom, I am deeply concerned to see Watertown children falling behind, disengaged, and exposed to growing behavioral issues. Watertown Strong Schools formed as parents came together, sharing concerns about increasing class sizes, overburdened teachers, and a decline in student wellbeing. WSS focused on understanding the situation at WPS, the budget process, and school and town dynamics. We analyzed data, examined budgets, met with leaders, attended town meetings, held community meetings, interviewed administrators, and surveyed teachers.

Entertainment

See Some Events Coming Up at the Watertown Mall

By |

 

The Watertown Mall kicks off June with a couple of free events. Kick off summer at the Watertown Mall with the Watertown Public Library and the Watertown Family Network. Stop by for a special summer story time and “good ol’ summer time” crafts! The event is free and will take place near Carter’s on Thursday, June 5 at 11 a.m.

The Watertown Health Department will present a talk on mosquitos and ticks on Friday, June 6 at 10 a.m. at Old Country Buffet. Learn about common diseases such as Lyme disease and West Nile virus in Massachusetts that can be spread by the bite of mosquitos and ticks and ways to prevent you, your family, or pets from becoming infected. Free blood pressure screenings will be provided by St.

Entertainment

Catch a Free Spring Concert by the Revels and the Perkins School

By |

Welcome spring with a free concert featuring the Revels and Perkins School for the Blind. The “Celebration of Spring” concert has been a tradition for 14 years, and features students from Perkins and Revels performers. The hour-long show is directed by Patrick Swanson, with music direction by George Emlen. The show will be held Thursday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Dwight Hall (the building with the tower) in the Perkins School for the Blind, 175 North Beacon Street in Watertown.

Development

Town Seeks Comments on Draft of Watertown Comprehensive Plan

By |

A draft of the master planning document that will influence the way Watertown will be built up (or not) has been created and town officials seek input from residents. The document is a long one, with 220 pages and hundreds of recommendations. The plan has sections on land use, transportation/circulation/parking, housing, economic development, open space/recreation, natural resources, historical/cultural resources, public services/facilities, energy and implementation of the plan. Work started more than a year ago on the document, and the consultants – Vanasse Hangen Brustlin – held public forums to get input on what kind of Watertown people want to see in the future. The Town Council’s Economic Development and Planning Subcommittee recently discussed how to get input and a schedule for approving the plan.

Around Town

Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshall Served His Country and Community

By |

The grand marshall of this year’s Watertown Memorial Day Parade served in the Marine Corps in World War II and served his town and state in his civilian life. Paul C. Menton joined the Marines and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. When he returned home, spent his life serving his community. Menton was elected to be Watertown’s State Representative in the Legislature and then served as legal council to the State Legislature. He also served as a judge in the Massachusetts Courts.