[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6518681,"mediaKeyId","5386738-8d2f267bce0418213ec439d4b52cf158","parentId",5386738,"title","Board completes organizational business: oaths administered, Iverson elected president and committee assignments set","audioSeconds",249,"startMs",2998000,"endMs",3247000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5386738-8d2f267bce0418213ec439d4b52cf158&start=2998&end=3247","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5386738-8d2f267bce0418213ec439d4b52cf158/thumbnail_2998000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6518681/South-Dakota/Board-completes-organizational-business-oaths-administered-Iverson-elected-president-and-committee-assignments-set","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518681-cedd97fa18d960031a6e23cf2e32f666/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021902&Signature=UlDk47KeqmCsJqoV3h0KEeV6Sbynn6QwgLE3Tz0psi~CZjZ6u3QZpKDvV5CbiwAw81gDZCNn8SWmmqMeXSLrldBgCuyP7w~KPFGgKXugOJtZ53a4w~V4jtUsnz-fZG8btsCA63Y65uA8ZYVVdBvC3b4CU1wJdQfsgO--ji0d5hMzt1xU-dvCJxgLpgfOhRAqRLWnnlEc03DmouZ1a~5aZQ2wWLCayL~xGH7Q8RuaDD1hQtUphWi-OhCvLiiBVvTiG1mypIaUPGK8rSlE-P5~4TCAUK1X4H~9QRVAt3r0FlLK2qMtEsOUSU5srk2fa5MUzHwfZmf8GS1H82qfNsGOpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Watertown School District 14-4","date","2025-07-15T11:51:13Z","article","The Watertown School District Board administered the oath of office to Jean Moten and Bailey Rammell and then proceeded with organizational business. The board elected John Iverson as president by unanimous ballot after a motion to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot. Carrie Lohr was elected vice president by a similar unanimous ballot.

The board designated meeting logistics: regular meetings will continue on the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the district administrative offices located at the high school. The board set the school board election date for June 2, 2026. Board member compensation for 2025–26 was set at $130 per meeting (previously $125; state statute maximum cited at $166).

The board appointed committee representatives and liaisons in a single motion. Notable committee assignments included: Personnel Committee (Rochelle Rossman and Bailey Rammell); Property Committee (Jean Moulton and Carrie Lohr); Northeast Tech High School board representatives (John Iverson, Jean Moulton, Carrie Lohr; alternate Rochelle Rossman); ASBSD convention delegate (Bailey Rammell; alternate Rochelle Rossman); and other standing appointments such as Board of Equalization (Jean Moulton) and Lake Area Technical College Foundation board representative (John Iverson).

The board also designated official financial depositories (First Premier Bank and First Interstate Bank during transition), the Watertown Public Opinion as the official newspaper, and legal counsel (Rory King of Vance, Gosch & Kramer and the KSB law firm for Title IX matters). Title and federal program coordinators were designated (for example, Emily Hatton as Title I coordinator and Dr. Jennifer Bollinger as Section 504 special services director).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Watertown School Board Meeting | 5:30 PM | 7/14/25","oneSentenceSummary","At the organizational portion of the July meeting the board administered oaths to newly elected members, elected John Iverson president and Carrie Lohr vice president, set meeting dates and salaries, and named committee representatives for 2025–26.","taxTitle","Watertown School District 14-4, School Districts, South Dakota","taxId",65997,"location","South Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6518685,"Board recognizes state office professional and student athletic and academic honors",232,282000,514000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5386738-8d2f267bce0418213ec439d4b52cf158&start=282&end=514","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5386738-8d2f267bce0418213ec439d4b52cf158/thumbnail_282000.jpg","/articles/6518685/South-Dakota/Board-recognizes-state-office-professional-and-student-athletic-and-academic-honors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518685-dcf80204837dabc2277749ccc704d68f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021902&Signature=SjvACYCNUv7ZagtevyreKkK-YhBraVfhxkjBCzPzDtew56nQwsIL~p-r~lA1L806EINW08AAQCvQ-PY7InLLJJqpyGDE0p6oUOJcYuCzrnebG4LSTwT6PXIVQOHr5-vI~AmZr6G8FOpzPE6S21NqZD-itaSrvaWxZ-wCxHRKcd4ZjVtiZHa2ladCrNKsJ6adWKRkjcj~ZhVifK2g8iZZemyOfgL5kx4yXIeo8NTvLFhcNtz8Tet7olC7-sqAOduJg1feP-C8CzfMkRQrPvP3vDjV3vZV-1-iwkH-d8l8CIb4ToBkWkNPN7u9hfAqg08XCc62QFhp3YLMmOXssKhT7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board opened part of its meeting to recognize staff and student achievements. Timberly Lundy, office professional at McKinley Early Childhood Center, was presented as the 2025 Office Professional of the Year for the state of South Dakota. The superintendent and board presented Lundy with a recognition and plaque.

The board also recognized student accomplishments in athletics and academics. Among those noted: softball players Aliyah Johnston (all‑conference; academic all‑state) and Kinsley Johnson (academic all‑state); golfer Gabby Olsen (all‑tournament team; all‑conference); tennis academic all‑state honorees Sam Karst and Skyler Stanton; and multiple track athletes named academic all‑state and all‑conference (including Grace Corey, Jaren Feber, Elizabeth Riefenberger, Olivia Reese, Marley Wadsworth and others). The board acknowledged the large list of student awardees and offered congratulations.","Watertown School District presented staff and student recognitions, including Timberly Lundy being named South Dakota 2025 Office Professional of the Year and multiple athletic and academic honors for students.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":42,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6518690,"Parent urges board to restore junior/senior Sadie’s Hawkins tradition at Watertown High School",1471000,1720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5386738-8d2f267bce0418213ec439d4b52cf158&start=1471&end=1720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5386738-8d2f267bce0418213ec439d4b52cf158/thumbnail_1471000.jpg","/articles/6518690/South-Dakota/Parent-urges-board-to-restore-juniorsenior-Sadies-Hawkins-tradition-at-Watertown-High-School","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518690-de2300151b69e11947427c9f468f3b2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021902&Signature=BAVoCgYxE7zW58hjSNV5moaM5pf8cSCsPkKWtJDmMTa7vUIA56HAkFoaq7ZNSLxIF8PYC-s0dxm67H6ulJUPEcY-nMx3JTSSODgCumsxhLGpEAnot9~b5bt8bz6lddw1jzrbVQceycgCAZkeN21n7DrAqvLsEGtK2gCBi9H9rfVwWuZV8DdGC43Nz~CmI-3Va0rfnqcFybpWB42BlanMp6XG3hEmQ6Ww1gk7-NFN4g9AXXc5GNbzBWUQh6HM2cJlw1qJRTD9g8lpkzHfPKwneSA92vNrxzAtDrjImPU9d2Q7m-jc~ZpcXs-k1~VOg3KK7StXgV4IBgUeP1TxcT904Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Megan Swanson, identifying herself as a Watertown High School graduate and parent, addressed the board during the public comment period to ask that administrators and the board consider reinstating a juniors-and-seniors‑only Sadie’s Hawkins dance.

Swanson said the decision to change the dance format was communicated to students via social media and that juniors and seniors did not have an opportunity to provide input before the change. She said roughly 500 students signed an online petition and that she met with the high school principal that day to discuss the issue. Swanson asked the board to direct discussion between board members and Watertown High School administrators so students’ preferences are heard.

The board did not take action on the matter during the meeting; Swanson’s comments were recorded as public input for future consideration.","A parent asked the board to reconsider a recent decision that changed the Sadie’s Hawkins dance format, saying juniors and seniors were not consulted and want the tradition preserved for their class.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6518695,"Business manager reports $9.5M cash in general fund; title funds held up, athletic field open house planned",2540,140000,2680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5386738-8d2f267bce0418213ec439d4b52cf158&start=140&end=2680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5386738-8d2f267bce0418213ec439d4b52cf158/thumbnail_140000.jpg","/articles/6518695/South-Dakota/Business-manager-reports-95M-cash-in-general-fund-title-funds-held-up-athletic-field-open-house-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518695-6a9fe66cb528bd9b1451d3506f021ac7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021902&Signature=e3z6bgUiGQEGC2Qk7ma0wO~~KQtv5LFHDe-px0pQG5R3o2Wqkkv-3K3hryzaDMM4nem2~wAVWI764QhGB4YS2PSSZdGuQ6tZBNf7UBQSz3qKig44WcPtH0dismA9-PSBSmCEBoV~6v8PYTapagQ-nl1DASQ~axIdocWbg5cJtNEn~mE5mq-zkc8-m~1063ew0vvFA2kwksBHeNjAdYAPxaVppG--FKVI54nlAHCXf5hNuGEmMOYhpd8Xgd5onSzM4LoMsMVWXZfX0Ztvvr9ThQyuYjqfxT~0yO3U0rUYTagJn4~FcbKActxWNr-O8wnrVRwSDQjNElRXSslJ7lKung__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Heidi, the district business manager, presented the June financial reports showing the general fund received $527,000 in property tax proceeds and the final state aid payment for fiscal year 2024–25. Other revenue included a $50,000 biannual transportation reimbursement tied to activity trips. Heidi reported a general fund ending cash position of $9,500,000, a slight decrease from the prior year.

The capital outlay fund received typical June property taxes totaling $297,000. Alta project spending includes a $5,000,000 capital outlay certificate drawn to support Athletic Complex Phase 2; expenditures included scheduled payments for construction in progress. Heidi said the capital outlay fund’s ending cash balance is $6,200,000, below the prior year as construction costs are expended.

Special education revenue for June was reported at $433,000 (taxes and state aid), leaving that fund’s ending cash position at $3,800,000. Lake Area Technical College (LATC) enterprise operations reported tuition revenue of $198,000 and $82,000 in state sources, expenditures of $2,800,000 and an ending cash balance of $8,700,000.

The business manager noted a $25,000 contribution from First Interstate Bank supporting gym murals at elementary schools.

Superintendent Dr. Danielson told the board that several federal Title funds remain “held up” in Washington, D.C. He said the hold up does not necessarily mean funds will be withheld permanently, but the district has not yet received final notifications and staff estimate the delay is about two months. He said Title IV funds have been confirmed and will support the Project Success MOU approved at the meeting; Title II and other titles remain uncertain.

Dr. Danielson also provided an update on facilities: the Allen (Ellen) Mitchell Field project is nearing completion with a public open house to be scheduled; the football home opener at the new field will be Friday, Aug. 29, versus Sioux Falls Jefferson. He said staff will propose a board pre‑tour of the field, which could be added to the Aug. 11 board meeting agenda.

Heidi and Dr. Danielson answered board questions about contingency levels for the Athletic Complex Phase 2 project and confirmed current remaining contingency is approximately $348,000; staff said the project is tracking well against budget.","District business manager presented June financials showing $9.5 million cash in the general fund and outlined capital project spending; superintendent warned some federal Title funds remain delayed in Washington, D.C., which could affect the upcoming year.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":103,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":106,"_51":117,"_53":118,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":119,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":120,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6518700,"Votes at a glance: Watertown board adopts FY26 budget and approves contracts, change orders and service agreements",1974,2114000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5386738-8d2f267bce0418213ec439d4b52cf158&start=140&end=2114","/articles/6518700/South-Dakota/Votes-at-a-glance-Watertown-board-adopts-FY26-budget-and-approves-contracts-change-orders-and-service-agreements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518700-a31878259e730bdd871639b98d241eca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771021902&Signature=VlIxU4~MJl5vn5E6Kd45xmPK-nNUDvjSYOKB3t2~SxeDheFBaLVK0fkSYpbPNL6-hmcDpMhoz56LW5rB5DXq3POXFJjQoZP7TzfDvJ8VRaRqGyGxNWgGu4Kzzmwa9DZR4ZHwIawb0bTTU1nCAxM4vA6XnU2gMdeDgOaicP-u6i~v6neaqR2WGIzDaJ8F7od6wwBjyz0ALKV8LsoPz6jKslfvZlwBAT9wWrYSZgi0NL0jFi7z40-72gmDb~N1DwEmyiJHdNOt49j4QnbY8kf41TPzP1s~~vAMu-ykZvtpLp1mGfdW7dGex5y6ePekRr1~JZJkUvU8FuuxwYW24UbURw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Watertown School District 14‑4 Board of Education approved its fiscal year 2025–26 budget and levy and a series of routine contracts, change orders and service agreements during its July meeting, and completed its organizational actions including oaths and officer elections.

The board approved the FY26 budget and levy resolution as presented (motion by Jean Moulton; second by Rochelle Rossman). The budget resolution mirrors the budget presented at the public budget hearing. The motion was approved by voice vote.

Other formal actions approved by voice vote included: approval of the meeting agenda and minutes from the June 9 meeting; acceptance of the June financial reports; approval of personnel resignations and contract recommendations and addenda; educational stipend requests; and payment of bills.

On capital and facilities items the board approved change order number 3 for the surgical technology renovation adding sanitation power and other work for $1,200 (mover: Jean Moulton; second: Rochelle Rossman) and approved change order number 7 for Athletic Complex Phase 2, which added scope for roof signage attachments, lockbox access revisions and ticket‑gate entry, reducing the project contingency to about $348,000 and bringing the contract to just over $11,000,000 (mover: Jean Moulton; second: Rochelle Rossman). Both change orders were approved by voice vote.

Leases and equipment motions: the board approved two low‑cost heavy‑equipment wheel‑loader leases—one seven‑month lease for $7,000 and a 12‑month lease for $12,000—for the Heavy Equipment Operator program (mover: Jean Moulton; second: Rochelle Rossman). The board postponed action on a proposed airplane lease for the Professional Pilot program until August at staff request, but approved other equipment lease recommendations and addenda.

The board approved the annual facility lease with Capital City Campus (Pierre) for classroom, lab and office space used by the district’s nursing program. The agreement covers approximately 1,200 square feet at a rate of 13.39 cents per square foot, totaling $16,162 for the term July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 (mover: Jean Moulton; second: Rochelle Rossman). The motion passed by voice vote.

Procurement authorities were granted: the board authorized staff to go to bid on fiscal year 2026 equipment purchases funded by federal Perkins and state grant dollars (estimated total just over $1,000,000, covering programs including agriculture, auto, building trades, dental, energy and law enforcement) and authorized bid solicitation for three fleet pickups (two for Building Trades, one for Heavy Equipment Operator) with an estimated combined cost of $100,000.

Service agreements and MOUs approved included a Project Success MOU with a human service agency to provide a Project Success coordinator for middle and high school at a cost to the district of $16,700 for 2025–26 (to be funded by Title IV) and a speech‑language pathology services MOU with Prairie Lakes Healthcare at $72 per hour for in‑person services (mover on both items: Jean Moulton; second: Rochelle Rossman). The board also engaged I. Bailey to perform audit services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 (mover: Jean Moulton; second: Rochelle Rossman).

The board approved a surplus resolution declaring a bus salvage per an insurance claim, and canvassed and approved the official 2025 school board election results.

Routine policy second‑readings and approvals also passed, including multiple C‑series policy reviews and policies on reconsideration of library materials and public concerns about instructional resources. The board set the regular meeting schedule (second Monday, 5:30 p.m.), the school board election date for June 2, 2026, and board member compensation for 2025–26 at $130 per meeting. Committee and representative appointments were made as a group.

All actions that carried were approved by voice vote and recorded as part of the meeting minutes. Individual roll‑call tallies were not specified in the transcript for most items.

Votes at a glance (selected items, outcome):
- Approve agenda — approved (mover: not specified in audio); voice vote
- Approve minutes (June 9) — approved (motion by Moulton; second by Rossman); voice vote
- Receive June financial reports — received/approved; voice vote
- Approve personnel resignations — approved; voice vote
- Approve contract recommendations and addenda — approved (mover: Erasman/Moulton in audio references); voice vote
- Approve educational stipend requests — approved; voice vote
- Change order #3 (Surgical Technology renovation), +$1,200 — approved; voice vote
- Equipment leases (wheel loaders) — approved ($7,000/7 months; $12,000/12 months); voice vote
- Airplane lease (Professional Pilot) — postponed to August; voice vote
- Facility lease (Capital City Campus) — approved ($16,162 for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026); voice vote
- Authority to bid FY26 equipment (~$1,000,000) — approved; voice vote
- Authority to bid fleet vehicles (~$100,000) — approved; voice vote
- Project Success MOU (human service agency), cost to district $16,700 (Title IV funded) — approved; voice vote
- Engage I. Bailey for audit services (FY25) — approved; voice vote
- Surplus resolution (bus salvage) — approved; voice vote
- Change order #7 (Athletic Complex Phase 2), adjusts contingency to ~$348,000, contract >$11,000,000 — approved; voice vote
- Speech language pathology MOU with Prairie Lakes, $72/hour — approved; voice vote
- Approve FY26 budget & levy resolution — approved; voice vote
- Canvas official 2025 school board election results — approved; voice vote

Notes: motions were typically moved by Jean Moulton and seconded by Rochelle Rossman or Bailey Rammell depending on the item. Where the transcript identified only a voice “Aye” and no roll‑call numbers, this article records outcomes as approved by voice vote. For items where a specific dollar amount, term, or funding source was stated in the meeting, those figures are included above.","At its July meeting the Watertown School District 14‑4 board approved the FY26 budget and levy and a package of routine contracts, leases, change orders and service agreements, and took organizational actions. Most items were approved by voice vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board completes organizational business: oaths administered, Iverson elected president and committee assignments set

Board recognizes state office professional and student athletic and academic honors

Parent urges board to restore junior/senior Sadie’s Hawkins tradition at Watertown High School

Business manager reports $9.5M cash in general fund; title funds held up, athletic field open house planned

Votes at a glance: Watertown board adopts FY26 budget and approves contracts, change orders and service agreements