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Watertown board approves security ballot proposition, capital-reserve increase and other routine measures
Summary
The Watertown City School District Board approved placing a $500,000 security upgrades proposition on the May ballot, increased the capital reserve fund authorization, scheduled the budget hearing and vote, and approved several district contracts and appointments; the board also recorded canvas results from the March capital-project vote.
The Watertown City School District Board of Education voted to place a security upgrades proposition on the May 20 ballot, approved increasing the district's capital reserve authorization, scheduled the public hearing and budget vote, and approved several routine contracts, studies and appointments.
Security proposition: The board resolved to place a proposition on the May 20, 2025 ballot authorizing up to $500,000 for security system upgrades, including purchases such as open-gate metal-detection units and a handheld radio system, with funding to come from the district's IT reserve fund. The resolution to put the question on the ballot passed; the board clarified that this vote was to place the proposition before voters rather than to expend funds directly. Administration noted some radio purchases may receive partial transportation aid (transportation-related units are roughly 90% aidable), but radios themselves are not entirely aidable.
Capital reserve increase: The board approved amending a previously authorized capital reserve proposition, increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $10,000,000 to $15,000,000 so the district may capture interest earnings on reserve funds and maintain flexibility for future building work after the current $110,000,000 project. The motion passed unanimously.
Election scheduling and canvass: The board set the annual public hearing for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, and scheduled the budget vote for May 20, 2025, between noon and 9 p.m. at Watertown High School and North Elementary. The board also accepted the canvass of the March 5, 2025 capital project vote: Proposition 1 passed with 678 yes votes and 138 no votes, per the inspectors' reports delivered to the clerk.
Other approvals and appointments: The board approved a Franklin Hamilton BOCES feasibility study on district-owned versus contracted buses for $8,321.06; authorized a facilities-use agreement with the Watertown Family YMCA through June 30, 2026; affirmed the nomination of William Miller for Area 5 Director with the New York State School Boards Association; and approved the appointment of Michael Platt as per diem director of facilities, effective April 1, 2025, at $150 per day.
What the board did not finalize: Placing the security proposition on the ballot does not authorize spending; actual purchases would follow voter approval (if adopted) and standard procurement. Board members discussed recurring costs of radio systems (replacement batteries, annual software/maintenance fees) and suggested voters and the community be informed of ongoing cost implications.
