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Watertown board receives clean audit, approves maintenance plan, grant and director contract
Summary
Auditors reported an unmodified opinion on the 06/30/25 financial statements; the board approved a 10‑year maintenance plan, accepted grant funding toward a laser engraver at Riverside Middle School, certified candidates for the April ballot, adjusted open‑enrollment settings and approved a business‑services director contract.
The Watertown Unified School District board on Jan. 26 received a clean audit of the district’s 06/30/25 financial statements and approved several fiscal and personnel actions.
Amber Ebert of Hawkins Ash CPAs told the board the auditors issued an unmodified opinion on the district financial statements and reviewed fund balances, debt defeasances and recent accounting changes. "We issued an unmodified audit opinion, which is the best opinion for an audit," she said. Ebert noted a $3.9 million cumulative change in accounting principle tied to a new GASB standard on compensated absences, while the district’s net position nonetheless increased by $1.3 million. The general fund balance was reported at roughly 44.3% of current-year expenses.
After the audit presentation the board took several votes by roll call. Actions included approving a 10‑year capital maintenance plan (resolution 94‑55), certifying candidates for the April 7, 2026 ballot (resolution 94‑56), and setting open‑enrollment availability for 2026–27 with Discovery Academy listed at 0 available seats and 0 special education open‑enrollment seats approved (resolution 94‑57).
The board also approved acceptance of a community grant toward an Epilogue laser engraver for Riverside Middle School’s technology program; discussion corrected the award figure and the board accepted a $20,000 grant contribution toward the purchase, with the remainder to be funded from district sources as needed.
In personnel business, after returning from closed session the board approved resolution 94‑59, an employment contract naming Elizabeth Bunsen as Director of Business Services.
Votes at a glance: - Resolution 94‑55, 10‑year maintenance plan — passed (9‑0). - Resolution 94‑56, candidate drawing for April ballot — passed (9‑0). - Resolution 94‑57, open‑enrollment availability — passed (9‑0). - Grant acceptance (Riverside Middle School laser engraver) — passed (9‑0); board clarified $20,000 grant toward the purchase. - Resolution 94‑59, employment contract for Director of Business Services (Elizabeth Bunsen) — passed (9‑0).
Board members and committee chairs said they will follow up with fiscal and policy committees to address procurement thresholds and professional-development selection policies raised during the meeting. The board adjourned at 9:09 p.m.
