Watertown board approves Lake Area Tech equipment purchases, supplemental budget and a package of routine motions

The Watertown School District board approved multiple equipment purchases for Lake Area Technical College, a supplemental budget shifting 11 paraprofessionals to the special education fund, and a series of routine personnel and policy motions at its October meeting.

Lake Area Technical College reported record fall enrollment and multiple equipment purchases to the board. Cam Corey, vice president of Lake Area Technical College, told trustees the college's fall headcount reached 2,321 students, and that officials are "cautiously optimistic" the spring enrollment push could push total annual enrollment toward 2,800. "We've seen our largest growth in our health care fields," Corey said, and he credited new lab space for enrollment gains in surgical technology and dental programs.

Board members then considered a slate of capital purchases and contract actions for LATC programs, all funded through state equipment grants or the Perkins grant. Key authorizations approved by the board included: - Telehandlers for the building trades technology program: low bid accepted from Acme…