Watertown School Board approves contracts, fees and policies; adds social‑studies credit in 4–1 vote

Watertown School District 14‑4’s board of education on a regularly scheduled meeting approved a series of contracts, purchases and policy changes and set several student fees as part of routine business. The board also voted 4–1 to add a one‑half credit in social studies to the district’s graduation requirements for incoming freshmen.

The board accepted a December financial report presented by Heidi (finance presenter), who told members that the general fund had received the first substantial portion of 2023 taxes payable in 2024 totaling $420,000 and that the fund ended the month with about $7.3 million in cash. She said capital‑outlay receipts included $219,000 in December taxes and that the district expects $5,000,000 in capital outlay certificate proceeds in January to support the athletic complex project. “The construction contingency was approved at just over a million dollars,” Heidi said when summarizing a related change order later in the agenda.

Why it matters: the approvals and fee settings affect next fiscal year’s capital plan, classroom services and student access to programs. The change to graduation credit requirements will apply to the incoming freshman class and requires the district to ensure course offerings align with the added requirement.

Key approvals and actions

- Contracts and purchasing - Approved a materials‑only contract with Johnson Controls, via Sourcewell, for engineered chillers for McKinley Elementary in the amount of $278,660 to support the district cooling project slated for the next fiscal year. Motion by Moulton; second by Andersen; motion approved. - Approved the purchase of a 71‑seat school bus from Harlow’s through Sourcewell for $142,030. The bus is in the district’s five‑year capital outlay plan and is anticipated to arrive in October 2025. Motion by Agerson; second by Hult; motion approved. - Approved a change order (No. 7) for the Archway Complex that decreases the contract by $74,627 to address structural compliance/remedial work on curtain walls and storefronts; the contract was adjusted to $20,687,811 and the remaining contingency was reported at $877,847. Motion by Iverson; second by Moulton; motion approved. - Approved a material‑only contract to procure chillers (Johnson Controls / Sourcewell) in the amount of $278,660 for McKinley Elementary’s cooling project. Motion by Moulton; second by Andersen; motion approved. - Approved equipment lease agreements (no‑cost) with local supplier Kibble for tractors and loaders to support the diesel‑technology program. Motion by Moulton; second by Iverson; motion approved. - Authorized bidding to acquire up to two flatbed trailers for the corporate education program (funded from corp ed budget, approximately $90,000). Motion by Iverson; second by Moulton; motion approved. - Approved an office lease for the district’s Manufacturing and Technology Solutions Center at Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls; staff noted expected annual savings of about $42,000 through the partnership. Motion by Moulton; second by Iverson; motion approved. - Approved an office lease for adult education and literacy program office space in Brookings; board approved the recommendation. Motion by Henderson; second by Moulton; motion approved.

- Personnel, services and special‑education coverage - Approved resignations and retirements presented by staff (three resignations, two retirements) and multiple contract recommendations, addenda and stipends for staff continuing education. Motion makers varied; motions approved. - Approved a contract with Connect Teletherapy to provide virtual certified occupational therapy assistant services at $80 per hour (OTA) and $100 per hour (OT) to cover an upcoming maternity leave. Motion by Houlton; second by Iverson; motion approved. - Approved a contract with Aviana to provide one‑on‑one nursing services (approximately 12 weeks) at $89 per hour to cover a maternity leave. Motion by Emerson; second by Moulton; motion approved.

- Fees and programs - Approved preschool tuition of $220 per month ($2,200 for the school year) for the tuition‑based preschool program at McKinley Early Childhood Center and a $30 per month ($300 per year) transportation add‑on option. Motion by Milton; second by Emerson; motion approved. - Approved driver‑education fees of $360 per student for 2025 (an increase of $5, or about 1%). Staff noted the Arrow Education Foundation covers 75% of costs for qualifying students and that 39 students paid reduced fees in 2024. Motion by Laura; second by Rossman; motion approved.

- Policies and resolutions - Adopted a new policy on use of artificial‑intelligence technology (IIBFA) on second reading with no changes from the first reading. Motion by Laura; second by Rossman; motion approved. - Approved a change to the graduation requirement (policy IKF) to add a required one‑half credit in social studies for incoming freshmen to meet upcoming social‑studies standards. The board debated course‑level and scheduling implications; one member voiced concerns about unresolved questions and voted no. Roll call: Rossman — aye; Lauren — aye; Stein — aye; Moulton — no; Iverson — aye. Motion passed 4–1. - Adopted a board resolution opposing school‑voucher proposals and education savings accounts that would divert public funds to nonpublic education. Motion by Laura; second by Rossman; motion approved.

Votes at a glance

- Graduation‑credit change (IKF): Motion passed 4–1. (Roll call recorded.) - AI policy (IIBFA): Adopted (unanimous voice vote reported). - Johnson Controls material contract (chillers): Approved (voice vote reported). - 71‑seat school bus (Harlow’s / Sourcewell): Approved (voice vote reported). - Archway Complex change order No. 7 (−$74,627): Approved (voice vote reported). - Connect Teletherapy contract (OT/OTA coverage): Approved (voice vote reported). - Aviana nursing contract (maternity leave): Approved (voice vote reported). - Preschool fees: Approved (voice vote reported). - Driver’s‑education fee ($360): Approved (voice vote reported). - Resolution opposing vouchers: Approved (voice vote reported). - Equipment leases with Kibble (no cost): Approved (voice vote reported). - Authority to bid up to two flatbed trailers (~$90,000): Approved (voice vote reported).

Board discussion and context

Board members and staff repeatedly emphasized staffing and service continuity as drivers behind some contract approvals. As one board member said during the discussion of outside providers, staffing shortages in specialized areas have made it harder to cover extended leaves internally: the district must sometimes hire outside contractors to meet Individualized Education Program (IEP) requirements. The board noted that several contracts (teletherapy, nursing coverage) were aligned to cover maternity leaves.

On the graduation‑credit change, board members debated how the additional social‑studies half credit would be scheduled and whether course offerings would need adjustment. Administration noted the vote sets the credit requirement, not the specific course roster, but members requested further information on scheduling options before the next school year.

What’s next

Staff said the district expects capital‑outlay certificate proceeds in January (approximately $5,000,000) and will continue construction on the athletic complex. The board set a special meeting for May 1, 2025, at 5 p.m. to review and discuss proposed K‑12 and Lake Area Technical College budgets as required by statute.

Ending note

The board adjourned to an executive session to conduct the superintendent’s evaluation; no action was announced after the executive session.