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.
Dear Editor,
Now that the School Committee forums are over, I want to formally endorse. First, an endorsement for two familiar faces and then a new one. Current Member Jessica Middlebrook has a track record of collaborative leadership, focusing on student well-being and equitable access to resources, and actively supporting the expansion of pre-K. These have been informed by her background as a school mental health counselor. Her most recent achievement includes a successful and non-acrimonious labor negotiation.
Monday night, the candidates for Watertown School Committee appeared at a live forum and answered questions about the future of the middle school, the school budget, vocational education, making students and family feel welcome in the Watertown Public Schools, and more. The candidate forum is the fourth hosted by WCA-TV and Watertown News. See how the candidates — David Stokes, Jessica Middlebrook, Joe Ganno, and Sheila Krisnan (Amy Donohue could not attend) — responded to the questions posed by host Maya Shwayder. Watch the video by clicking here: http://vodwcatv.org/internetchannel/show/4171?site=1
More Candidate Forums
On Oct. 6, the candidates running Councilor At-Large — Tom Tracy, Tony Palomba, Theo Offei, John Gannon, and Caroline Bays — appeared at the Middle School Auditorium.
Hear from the candidates for School Committee in a live, in-person candidate forum on Monday, Oct. 20 at Watertown Middle School. The public is welcome. The forum is co-hosted by Watertown News and Watertown Cable Access TV and begins at 6:30 p.m. The candidates — David Stokes, Jessica Middlebrook, Joe Ganno, and Sheila Krisnan — will discuss their views at the Watertown Middle School Auditorium. Amy Donohue will not be able attend the forum.
Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Fellow Watertown Residents,
With less than 3 weeks left until Election Day (although you can choose to cast your vote before Nov. 4th), I would like to take this opportunity to reintroduce myself, David Stokes, Candidate for School Committee. Perhaps you have already conversed with me, seen one of my yard signs, read my literature, visited my website, or watched my video. Please read on to find out more about my relevant experience, my longtime dedication, and my broad community focus – which together position me as a strong candidate for School Committee! You might recall that I had the distinct honor of serving on the School Committee 2020-23, through the COVID-19 pandemic.
