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Board approves consent agenda and personnel items; community challenges facility fees and calls for special election
Summary
The board approved consent items, separation agreements and personnel appointments. Public commenters questioned charging community groups facility fees and urged a special election to fill a vacant board seat; the superintendent said fee reductions are considered case-by-case.
The Watertown City School District board approved its consent agenda and multiple personnel items during the meeting at Ohio Street Elementary.
A resolution to approve consent agenda items a through e was adopted after a motion from board member Tina and a voice vote in which ayes were recorded and the motion carried. The board then approved two separation agreements presented on the superintendent’s recommendation, accepted the personnel report (resignations, leaves, appointments and substitutes), appointed Carrie Tippels as Special Education Coordinator Assistant, and approved educational trips.
During public comment, community members pressed the board on two issues: fees for facility use and the method for filling a vacant board seat. One commenter asked why community sports organizations were being asked to pay $1,800 (reduced from an earlier $3,000 invoice) for facility usage, noting that in past years feeder teams were not charged. The commenter cited "Education Law 414" and urged the board to reconsider charging local volunteer-run youth programs.
Another commenter urged the board to hold a special election rather than leave an empty board seat for eight months and criticized district purchases (including a vehicle described as an $85,000 Denali) while a $110,000,000 capital project proceeds. The commenter framed the special-election cost (estimated in remarks as about $1,000) as justified to restore a full seven-member board.
Superintendent Dr. Schmeidl said the Pop Warner reduced-rate request could be accommodated by adjusting the invoice and that the board must follow existing board policy on facility charges, which can require groups to request nonprofit status consideration. No change to board policy was enacted at this meeting.
Minutes and motions were recorded by readers during the meeting; votes were voice ayes recorded for each motion. The board adjourned at the end of the meeting.
