Watertown City School District unveils $110 million capital project, urges March 25 vote; district says no tax impact

The Watertown City School District presented a $110,000,000 capital project proposal to repair and modernize school buildings and urged residents to vote March 25, a school district spokesperson said.

The district described the project as focused on three priorities: keeping students warm, safe and dry. "We're focused on 3 critical priorities, keeping students warm, safe, and dry," the school district spokesperson said, adding the proposal would address aging infrastructure and modernize essential systems.

District officials said the work would include replacing outdated heating systems, repairing roofs and masonry, upgrading windows and insulation, and improving boilers and HVAC systems to improve energy efficiency during Watertown winters. The proposal also calls for security enhancements such as secure entrances and updated fire alarms to meet current safety and accessibility standards. "This project is about ensuring our students have the best possible environment to learn, grow, and succeed," the spokesperson said.

On financing, the spokesperson said the district plans to leverage state building aid and reserve funds. "So how does this work with no tax impact? The district is leveraging state building aid and reserve funds to do this project," the spokesperson said. The district stated the plan would not add "any financial burden to our taxpayers," according to the spokesperson's remarks.

The presentation framed the project as both a maintenance and modernization effort, saying repairs to roofs and masonry will protect facilities from water damage while system upgrades aim to preserve buildings "for generations to come." "This isn't just about fixing what's broken. It's about creating a brighter future for our students while ensuring Watertown remains a great place to live and learn," the spokesperson said.

The district asked residents to "stay informed and make your voice heard by voting on March 25th," the spokesperson concluded. The transcript did not specify the ballot language, the exact funding breakdown between state aid and reserves, or whether additional approvals beyond the local vote are required.

If approved by voters, the district said the work would proceed under the stated funding plan; no formal vote outcome was recorded in this presentation.