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 stadium use agreement with the City of Watertown that the district described as taking effect March 1, 2025, and continuing for three years. Under the agreement the city would pay the actual cost of utilities, maintenance and repairs and would rent the stadium "as is" to host the Watertown Baseball Association; the district said the agreement would next go to the city council for its approval.

Capital and property items approved included two change orders and authorization to bid: Change order No. 1 for the surgical technology renovation was approved with an increase of $6,113, which the presenter said "brings the adjusted project up to $96,065,413 dollars" as stated in the meeting record. Change order No. 2 for the dental renovation was described in the meeting as an increase of $10.61 that the presenter followed by correcting the total to $1,234,007; the presenter said the dental project is complete and the final payout will appear in next month's bills. The board granted authority to bid a semi tractor for the district's corporate education and commercial driver's license program and will receive bids at the March meeting.

Personnel and contract actions: the board approved five resignations, five retirements, and a slate of contract recommendations and addendums for full‑time, part‑time, temporary childcare and adjunct spring semester contracts. The board approved a list of staff recognitions and staff member awards earlier in the meeting.

The board moved to accept the surplus technology equipment resolution and approved the district's recommended contracts and addendums, as presented.

The board voted to extend Superintendent Jeff Danielson's employment for two additional school years (2025–26 and 2026–27) with specific terms to be negotiated, following a motion to extend the contract and a second. Board members recorded no dissent on the motion.

After completing business, the board made a motion to enter executive session for legal matters and personnel.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of meeting agenda: motion by John Iverson; second by Molchan; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approval of minutes (January meeting): motion by Jean Moulton; second by John Iverson; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Acceptance of 2023–24 audit (unmodified opinion): motion by Jean Moulton; second by John Iverson; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approve surplus tech equipment for sale: motion by John Iverson; second by Jean Moulton; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approve stadium use agreement with City of Watertown (term described as 03/01/2025 to 03/01/2028): motion by Jean Moulton; second by John Iverson; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approve purchase agreement with Watertown Catholic School Corporation ($875,000 cash offer; closing date listed in record as "on or before March 20 seventh of 20 25"): motion by Adverson; second by Moulton; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approve surgical tech change order No. 1 (increase $6,113; adjusted project value stated in record): motion by Iverson; second by Moulton; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approve dental renovation change order No. 2 (increase described in record; project described as complete): motion by Moulton; second by Emerson; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Authority to bid a semi tractor for corporate education/CDL program: motion by Iverson; second by Moulton; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Approve retirements (5) and resignations (5): motions by board members as recorded; outcomes: approved (unanimous). - Approve contract recommendations and addendums (staffing and adjuncts): motion by Loehr; second by Rossman; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Extend Superintendent Jeff Danielson's contract for two years (2025–26, 2026–27) with terms to be negotiated: motion by Loehr; second by Rossman; outcome: approved (unanimous).

Speakers quoted or on the record in the meeting included board members who moved and seconded motions and district staff who presented financial and audit materials. No recorded roll‑call tallies showed opposition to the motions recorded in the minutes.

Ending

Board members who spoke during the property sale discussion said they preferred returning an unused school building to use by another school and noted the district would avoid ongoing maintenance costs by selling the building. The board then moved into executive session on legal and personnel matters as the meeting concluded.