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.
The Watertown Free Public Library. (Courtesy of WFPL)
Watertown voters will be selecting three members of the Watertown Free Public Library’s Board of Library Trustees in the 2025 Watertown Election. Watertown News reached out to the candidates to find out more about them. See details in the Candidate Q&As. The Library Trustees oversee the budget for the Watertown Library and works with Library staff on how to spend the budget, as well as working on special projects and initiatives at the library.
Leanne Hammonds
Why do you want to serve on the Board of Library Trustees? I have been honored to serve on the Board of Library Trustees for the past nine years and I am running for re-election because I love the library and want it to continue to thrive. As the only incumbent trustee running for re-election and longest serving current board member, I think my experience will be useful on the Board going forward.
Tell voters about your background and qualifications for being a Library Trustee. I grew up in Portland, Maine and moved to Watertown 20 years ago with my husband Evan. We have raised our two teenagers here, sending them to Watertown Public Schools.
