Watertown School District 14‑4 accepts audit, approves $875,000 property sale, stadium agreement and 2‑year superintendent extension

The Watertown School District 14‑4 board voted unanimously at its February meeting to accept the district's 2023–24 audit, approve the sale of a district property to the Watertown Catholic School Corporation for $875,000, authorize multiple contract change orders and personnel actions, approve a three‑year stadium use agreement with the City of Watertown and extend Superintendent Jeff Danielson's employment for two additional years with terms to be negotiated.

The audit acceptance and property sale were the most substantive fiscal items on the agenda. The board heard that the Department of Legislative Audit issued an unmodified (clean) opinion on the district's financial statements and that fiscal year 2024 saw $118 million in revenue and $99 million in expenditures. The board was asked to accept the audit report for public inspection and to authorize the district to make the report available online and at the business office.

On the property sale, the board approved a purchase agreement with the Watertown Catholic School Corporation for an $875,000 cash offer. The agenda item listed a closing date described in the meeting record as "on or before March 20 seventh of 20 25." Board members discussed neighborhood impact, fiscal benefit to the district and the advantage of returning an unused building to active school use. Board members noted the sale price exceeded a recent appraisal, and the board voted to accept the offer.

The board also approved a…