Watertown Area Public Schools, SD

Regular Monthly Board Meeting

The Watertown Unified School District Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on September 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. The board will vote on resolutions to develop a new strategic plan and to provide a monthly cell phone stipend for eligible staff. The agenda also includes discussions on a possible new strategic plan and a math and reading audit, as well as routine consent agenda items such as personnel changes, policy readings, and approval of bills.

• Resolution #9542: Approve development of a new Strategic Plan as recommended by the Planning Committee.
• Resolution #9543: Approve monthly cell phone stipend of $45.14 for eligible staff using personal phones for work.
• Consent agenda includes staff retirements, resignations, and appointments (e.g., Margaret Brady, Joel Bethke, Chad Allen).
• First reading of multiple policies including nondiscrimination, anti-harassment, and Title IX policies.
• Donations: $200 from Richter Heating & Air Conditioning, $750 from Sanft Accounting & Tax, and $260 meal from Pizza Ranch.

Fiscal Management Committee Meeting

The Watertown Unified School District Fiscal Management Committee will meet on September 23, 2026, for review and discussion only; no official action will be taken. Agenda items include an overview of 2025-2026 financial data via ClearGov, discussion of administrator cell phone stipends, deferred maintenance costs from the 2024 Facilities Study, and next steps for facilities at LEAP and Lincoln. The committee will also review monthly reports and note that there are zero purchases over the $20,000 threshold.

• ClearGov overview of 2025-2026 financial data
• Cell phone stipend amount for administrators (Policy 7530.01)
• Deferred maintenance costs per 2024 Facilities Study
• Discussion on next steps for facilities at LEAP and Lincoln
• Zero purchases over $20,000 threshold

Human Resources Committee Meeting

The Watertown Unified School District Human Resources Committee will meet to review and discuss personnel matters, including a proposed district office restructuring and reassignments, and a proposal to increase an administrative assistant position to full-time in Special Education. The committee will also review a consent agenda and human resources summary, and discuss negotiations scheduling. No formal action will be taken at this meeting; action is reserved for the regular monthly board meeting.

• Proposed District Office Restructuring and Reassignments (closed session)
• Proposal to Increase Administrative Assistant to Full-time - Special Education (closed session)
• Review of Consent Agenda and Human Resources Summary
• Negotiations Scheduling discussion
• Update on August action items, including renewal of Quartz Benefits for 2027

Curriculum Committee Meeting

The Watertown Unified School District Curriculum Committee will meet on September 16, 2026, at 7:30 a.m. in the Board Room at the Educational Service Center. This is a review and discussion meeting only; no formal action will be taken. The committee will discuss secondary novel review, Latin and other world languages, educational standards, and continue discussion of the Wit & Wisdom curriculum. Public comment is limited to topics relevant to the committee, with speakers limited to two minutes each.

• Secondary novel review discussion with attached 6-12 Novel List and Revised Draft 6-12 Novel Review Form
• Discussion of Latin and other world languages
• Discussion of educational standards
• Continued discussion of Wit & Wisdom curriculum
• Public comment period limited to 10 minutes, 2 minutes per speaker, in-person only

The committee reviewed a draft novel evaluation form, world language options, and the Wit and Wisdom curriculum. No formal votes were taken, and the committee requested further information and revisions for future meetings.

• Tabled draft novel evaluation form for October revision
• Identified Wit and Wisdom curriculum for future audit
• Requested additional data on world language options
• Requested additional information on district-specific standards

Board Committee Chair Meeting

The Watertown Area Public Schools Board Committee Chairs will meet on September 14, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. for review and discussion only; no official action will be taken. The agenda includes reporting committee summaries, discussing action items, planning future agenda items, and setting the next meeting date. Public comment may be allowed, and a virtual attendance option is available.

• Discussion of reporting committee meeting summaries to the full board
• Discussion of action items
• Future agenda planning
• Next meeting date set for Monday, May 3, 2027
• Virtual attendance via Google Meet

The Board Committee Chair Check-In was a discussion-only meeting with no formal votes or action items. Members discussed whether committee chairs should read full minutes to the full board or simply state that minutes were submitted, with a suggestion to keep summaries to two minutes. No decisions were made, and the meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m.

• No formal decisions or votes were recorded
• Discussed allowing committee chairs discretion on how to report minutes
• Suggested two-minute timeline for committee summaries
• No action items were taken

Policy Review Committee Meeting

The Watertown Unified School District Board of Education's Policy Review Committee will meet to discuss and review several policies, including those on student promotion, retention, and grading, as well as updates to Title IX compliance officer assignments. The committee will also review administrative guidelines for student services. No formal action will be taken; the meeting is for discussion only, with action reserved for the regular monthly board meeting.

• Review of policies 5410 (Promotion, Placement and Retention), 5411 (Third Grade Promotion and Retention), 5420 (Reporting Student Progress), and 5421 (Grading)
• Update Title IX compliance officer from Jason Bull to Justin Crandall in multiple policies
• Review of administrative guidelines for homeless students, military children, foster care, open enrollment, and other student services
• Public comment limited to 2 minutes per speaker, in-person only
• No new or major policy revisions on the agenda

The Policy Review Committee agreed to forward a set of policy updates to First Read at the September Regular Board meeting, replacing the departing Director of Innovation, Technology, Strategy, and Data Jason Bull with WHS Associate Principal/Athletic Director Justin Crandall as the male Title IX Compliance Officer. The committee also agreed to forward several administrative guidelines in the 5000 Students group to First Read. On promotion, retention, and student accountability, the committee discussed policy 5410 and related policies but took no final action, instead directing that data be brought to the next committee meeting and questions be emailed to Sarah, Lynn and Jim. The meeting adjourned at 6:34 p.m.; the next meeting is Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

• Agreed to forward Title IX Compliance Officer policy updates to First Read at the September Regular Board meeting
• Agreed to forward 5000 Students administrative guidelines to First Read at the September Regular Board meeting
• Directed that retention and promotion data be brought to the next committee meeting
• Directed questions on reporting and grading practices be emailed to Sarah, Lynn and Jim within the next couple of weeks
• Action item: add policy sponsorship document to new board member onboarding documentation
• Action item: in policy 5410, under Appeal Process, line 20, page 3, add 'placement or retention' after promotion and strike 'to grade five or grade nine'

Planning Committee Meeting

The Watertown Unified School District Board of Education's Planning Committee will meet on September 9, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. This is a review and discussion meeting; no formal action will be taken. The committee will discuss board governance, superintendent goals and evaluations, and reading and math curriculum audits. Public comment is limited to topics relevant to the committee, with speakers allowed two minutes each.

• Discussion of reading curriculum audit
• Discussion of math curriculum audit
• Discussion of superintendent goals and evaluations
• Discussion of board governance
• Public comment limited to 2 minutes per speaker, in-person only

The committee agreed to implement more frequent superintendent evaluations in closed session starting in October. Members also discussed potential board governance training and the use of a curriculum audit for reading and math.

• Agreed to start monthly superintendent evaluations in closed session after board meetings
• Agreed to develop interim superintendent goals bi-monthly starting in October
• Scheduled strategic plan discussion for the September Board meeting

Educational Services Committee Meeting

The Watertown Unified School District's Educational Services Committee will meet to review and discuss several educational programs, including Constitution Day activities, the Lebanon LEAP and Lincoln STEM transition plan, and potential agriculture and STEM programming in elementary schools. The committee will also discuss purchasing Xello for elementary schools and review past action items. No formal action will be taken at this meeting; it is for discussion only.

• Discussion of Constitution Day/Week activities
• Lebanon LEAP and Lincoln STEM Transition Plan update
• Agriculture and STEM programming in elementary schools - discussion
• Xello - status of elementary access and potential purchase
• Review of past action items, including adding educational goals to agenda

The Educational Services Committee reviewed Constitution Week activities and discussed transitions for LEAP and Lincoln STEM students. The committee also reviewed updates on elementary STEM programming and Xello career exploration materials. No formal votes were taken during this meeting.

• Educational goals tabled for October discussion
• Xello demonstration account access provided to Board
• Staff directed to analyze neighborhood school and transportation data
• District of Future team notified of temporary project pause

PUBLIC NOTICE OF GATHERING

The Watertown Unified School District Board of Education will attend a staff lunch and welcome-back ceremony on August 25, 2026, at Watertown High School. The board will not conduct any governmental business or take formal action during this gathering.

• Staff Lunch and Welcome Back Ceremony at Watertown High School, 825 Endeavour Dr., Watertown
• Board attendance only; no official business or formal action

Regular Monthly Board Meeting - REVISED

The Watertown Unified School District Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting, including public comment, committee reports, and a consent agenda. Key action items include approving a new five-year transportation contract with D&H Enterprises, the 2026-2027 assessment calendar, special education policies, and the 2027 Quartz health insurance renewal. The board will also discuss special education procedures and an update on international student enrollment.

• Resolution #9537: Transportation contract with D&H Enterprises, Inc. — $6.06 per certified mile for regular routes, $1.50/mile for extracurricular trips, $57.26/hour for first hour of in-district trips, $25.13/hour after, 5-year term (Aug 1, 2026–Jul 31, 2031)
• Resolution #9540: Approve 2027 Quartz Health Insurance Renewal as recommended by HR Committee
• Resolution #9539: Approve WUSD Special Education Policies and Procedures based on Wisconsin DPI model (July 2026)
• Consent agenda includes personnel actions: 1 resignation, 7 appointments (e.g., Sean Douglass, English Teacher; Amy Montoya, Kindergarten Teacher)
• First reading of multiple policies (e.g., 1900, 1901, 1902, 3120) and second reading of administrative guidelines (e.g., ag1100, ag2260.01A)

The Watertown Area Public Schools Board of Education approved a five-year transportation contract with D & H Enterprises, Inc. and adopted the 2027 Quartz Health Insurance Renewal. The Board also approved the annual Special Education Policies and Procedures, the 2026-2027 Assessment Calendar, and reaffirmed its position to reject new international student enrollments while continuing to serve currently enrolled students. Additionally, the Board approved personnel appointments, resignations, bills, and safety drill logs.

• Approved Resolution #9503 consent agenda including minutes, committee summaries, personnel changes, bills, and safety drill logs (8-0)
• Approved Resolution #9537 five-year transportation contract with D & H Enterprises, Inc. running from August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2031 (8-0)
• Approved Resolution #9538 2026-2027 Assessment Calendar (8-0)
• Approved Resolution #9539 WUSD Special Education Policies and Procedures (8-0)
• Approved Resolution #9540 2027 Quartz Health Insurance Renewal (7-0, 1 abstention by Craig Wortman)
• Reaffirmed position to reject new international student applications while serving 25 currently enrolled students through graduation

Fiscal Management Committee Meeting

The Watertown Unified School District Fiscal Management Committee will meet to review and discuss financial and operational items, including a contract for special education transportation for 2026-27, safety updates and drill logs, and monthly reports. No formal action will be taken; the committee only reviews and discusses, with action reserved for the regular board meeting.

• DH Contract for Special Education Transportation 26-27
• ClearGov Data and Usage
• Safety Update 2026-2027
• Safety Drill Log
• Purchases Over $20,000 (0 purchases reported)

The committee reviewed the 4% increase for the 2026-2027 D&H transportation contract and recommended it move to the August Board meeting for resolution. Members also discussed increasing public awareness of the ClearGov financial data site and reviewed safety protocols and drill logs. No formal action items were voted on during this meeting.

• Recommended D&H contract move to August Board meeting
• Recommended increased publicity for ClearGov site
• Agreed to shift future safety information review to Educational Services Committee

Curriculum Committee Meeting

The Watertown Area Public Schools Curriculum Committee will meet on August 19, 2026, at 7:30 a.m. in the Board Room at the Educational Service Center. The committee will discuss an update on Curriculum Course Guides, an initial conversation on defining classical curriculum, a review of the 7-year curriculum cycle, and a world language curriculum review. Public comment is limited to topics relevant to the committee, with speakers limited to two minutes and in-person only. No formal action will be taken; the meeting is for review and discussion only.

• Discussion of Curriculum Course Guides update
• Initial conversation on defining classical curriculum for WUSD
• Review of the 7-year curriculum cycle
• World language curriculum review with next steps and timelines
• Public comment limited to 2 minutes per speaker, in-person only

The Watertown Area Public Schools Curriculum Committee reviewed proposed schedules for curriculum course guides, discussed incorporating components of classical education like literature and Latin, and reviewed the seven-year curriculum cycle. No formal policy changes or final decisions were finalized during the meeting. The committee compiled a list of assigned 6-12 reading materials and set future discussion items.

• Compiled list of assigned 6-12 reading materials and developed a literature review process
• Supported curriculum course guide update schedule to run from October through June
• Agreed to continue using the seven-year curriculum review cycle temporarily
• Agreed to explore classical education components such as quality literature and Latin without a full program overhaul

PUBLIC NOTICE OF GATHERING

The Watertown Unified School District Board of Education and district officials will attend the Watertown Educator Chamber Breakfast on August 18, 2026. The agenda states that no governmental business will be conducted and no formal action will be taken during this gathering.

• Attendance at Watertown Educator Chamber Breakfast
• Location: Maranatha Baptist University, 745 W. Main St., Watertown
• No formal action or governmental business planned

Special Board Meeting - Closed Session - REVISED

The Watertown Unified School District Board of Education is holding a special closed-session meeting to interview finalists for several administrative positions and consider employment contracts. The board will discuss candidates for RMS Dean of Students, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Special Education Coordinator, then vote on resolutions to approve contracts for these roles plus a previously reviewed Career and Technology Education Coordinator position. All interviews and deliberations are closed to the public under Wisconsin statute for personnel matters.

• Interviews for RMS Dean of Students finalists (6:15-7:45 p.m.)
• Interviews for Director of Curriculum and Instruction finalists (8:00-9:30 p.m.)
• Interview for Special Education Coordinator finalist (9:30-10:00 p.m.)
• Resolution #9532: RMS Dean of Students employment contract (effective 8/24/26)
• Resolution #9533: Director of Curriculum and Instruction contract; #9534: Special Education Coordinator contract; #9535: WHS Career and Technology Education Coordinator contract

The Watertown Area Public Schools Board held a special closed-session meeting on August 17, 2026, to interview finalists for four administrative positions. After reconvening in open session, the board unanimously approved employment contracts for Theresa Janke-Oestreicher as RMS Dean of Students, Carl Millard as Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Jesse Domer as WHS Career and Technology Education Coordinator. The contract for Jamie Stearns as Special Education Coordinator was approved with one abstention.

• Approved Theresa Janke-Oestreicher as RMS Dean of Students (unanimous)
• Approved Carl Millard as Director of Curriculum and Instruction (unanimous)
• Approved Jamie Stearns as Special Education Coordinator (8-0, 1 abstention)
• Approved Jesse Domer as WHS Career and Technology Education Coordinator (unanimous)

Human Resources Committee Meeting

The Watertown Unified School District Human Resources Committee will meet on August 17, 2026, for review and discussion only; no action will be taken. The agenda includes a contemplated closed session to review results of the 2027 health insurance RFI, plus discussions on employee stipends, paraprofessional benefits eligibility, and a staffing update. Public comment is limited to 10 minutes, with speakers allowed two minutes each.

• Closed session to review 2027 health insurance RFI results
• Discussion on employee stipends
• Discussion on paraprofessional benefits eligibility
• Staffing update
• Employee handbook policy alignment update

The Human Resources Committee reviewed draft consent agenda items for staff appointments, resignations, and retirements, and discussed ten open teacher vacancies. A closed session was held to review health insurance RFI results, but no decisions were made. The committee recommended further exploration of an employee stipend program and added topics to the August 24, 2026 Board meeting agenda, including a resolution to renew Quartz Benefits for 2027.

• Reviewed draft consent agenda for staff appointments, resignations, retirements (no vote)
• Held closed session to review health insurance RFI results (no decisions made)
• Recommended administration explore employee stipend program (no vote)
• Recommended adding paraprofessional benefits eligibility to Aug 24 Board agenda (no vote)
• Added action item to renew Quartz Benefits for 2027 at Aug 24 Board meeting (no vote)

Policy Review Committee Meeting - REVISED

The Watertown School Board's Policy Review Committee will discuss screen time usage data, a bereavement leave policy, and administrative guidelines for support staff. No votes will be taken; the meeting is for review and discussion only.

• Discussion of screen time usage data gathered from the IT department to guide future policy decisions
• Review of a bereavement leave policy
• Review of eight administrative guidelines for support staff, including criminal history checks and FMLA leave
• Update on action items: Sam Ouweneel will sponsor a hiring process policy; Lynn Linskens to send policy sponsorship document to Craig
• Public comment limited to 10 minutes, in-person only, with 2-minute speaking limit per person

The Watertown Area Public Schools Policy Review Committee reviewed several administrative guidelines and policies, forwarding four redlined hiring policies to the Board for a first reading. The committee also discussed a revised bereavement leave policy, recommending it be sent to legal counsel for review before a first reading. No formal votes were taken; decisions were made by consensus.

• Forwarded four redlined hiring policies, including Policy 1900, to the Board for first reading
• Referred screen time and technology policies back to Educational Services for continued monitoring
• Requested legal counsel review of Drug-Free Workplace guideline language (ag4122.01) regarding searches
• Recommended bereavement leave policy language be sent to legal counsel for review
• Agreed to add a link to the Neola Policy Platform on the district website
• Scheduled next meeting for September 14, 2026

Educational Services Committee Meeting

The Educational Services Committee will review and discuss several items including the 2026-27 assessment calendar, student rounding summary, access updates, WHS schedule updates, district of the future updates, international programming, grade 5 conferences and career exploration, special education policies and procedures, Constitution Day activities, and a screen time discussion. No action will be taken at this meeting; it is for review and discussion only.

• Discussion of screen time usage data to guide future policy decisions
• Review of 2026-27 Special Education Policies and Procedures
• Discussion of 2026-27 Assessment Calendar
• Review of District of the Future updates including draft priorities and transition letter to LEAP/Lincoln families
• Discussion of Constitution Day activities for September 17, 2026

The Watertown Area Public Schools Educational Services Committee met on August 11, 2026, to review and discuss various educational programs, updates, and upcoming calendar items. The committee reviewed the 2026-2027 assessment calendar, multilingual learner updates, high school schedule options, and elementary transition plans, but recorded no formal action items or votes.

• No formal decisions or votes were recorded

PUBLIC NOTICE OF GATHERING - WUSD Board Professional Development

This is a public notice of a gathering for the Watertown Unified School District Board of Education for professional development and a tour of the Watertown High School construction project. The board will not conduct any governmental business or take any formal action during this meeting. The agenda includes a WISEdash Local overview and a construction tour.

• WISEdash Local overview presentation by Kris Meloy at 6:00 p.m.
• Tour of WHS construction project led by JP Cullen at 6:45 p.m.
• Meeting location: Watertown High School Media Center, 825 Endeavour Dr., Watertown

The Watertown Area Public Schools board met in a retreat format for professional development on WISEdash Local, a data tool, and toured the construction project at Watertown High School. No formal decisions were made; the meeting was adjourned by unanimous voice vote.

• Held professional development on WISEdash Local (no action taken)
• Toured WHS construction project (no action taken)
• Adjourned meeting at 7:47 p.m. (unanimous)

Special Board Meeting - Closed Session

The Watertown Unified School District Board of Education will meet in closed session to discuss personnel matters. The board is scheduled to vote on employment contracts for a Communications Specialist, a Special Education Program Coordinator, and a music teacher.

• Resolution #9531: WUSD Communications Specialist employment contract (effective 8/10/26)
• Resolution #9532: Special Education Program Coordinator employment contract (effective 8/11/26)
• Resolution #9533: Employment contract for Joseph Brachmann as Music Teacher at Douglas Elementary School (effective 8/24/26)
• Finalist interviews for WUSD Communication Specialist and Special Education Program Coordinator

The Watertown Area Public Schools Board held a special meeting that began in closed session to interview finalists for two positions. After reconvening in open session, the board unanimously approved Resolution #9531, hiring Kevin Haugen as Communications Specialist (districtwide, effective 8/10/26). No action was taken on Resolution #9532 for the Special Education Program Coordinator contract, and the board also unanimously approved Resolution #9533, hiring Joseph Brachmann as Music Teacher at Douglas Elementary School (effective 8/24/26).

• Approved Resolution #9531: Kevin Haugen employment contract as Communications Specialist (unanimous)
• No action taken on Resolution #9532: Special Education Program Coordinator employment contract
• Approved Resolution #9533: Joseph Brachmann employment contract as Music Teacher at Douglas Elementary (unanimous)

Special Board Meeting - Closed Session - REVISED

The Watertown Unified School District Board of Education will meet in closed session to discuss employee data. The board will interview finalists and consider an employment contract for the WHS Career and Technology Education Coordinator position.

• Finalist interviews for WHS Career and Technology Education Coordinator
• Resolution #9529: WHS Career and Technology Education Coordinator Employment Contract (effective 8/24/26)

The Watertown Area Public Schools Board held a special closed-session meeting on August 3, 2026, to interview finalists for the WHS Dean of Students and WHS Career and Technology Education Coordinator positions. No action was taken on the employment contracts for either position, and the board reconvened in open session before adjourning.

• Entered closed session to interview finalists for WHS Dean of Students (unanimous roll call)
• Entered closed session to interview finalists for WHS Career and Technology Education Coordinator (unanimous roll call)
• Reconvened to open session (unanimous roll call)
• No action taken on Resolution #9529 (WHS Dean of Students contract)
• No action taken on Resolution #9530 (WHS Career and Technology Education Coordinator contract)
• Adjourned at 10:34 p.m. (unanimous voice vote)

CANCELLED - Special Board Meeting - Closed Session - REVISED

The Watertown Unified School District Board of Education will meet in closed session to discuss employee performance and compensation. The board intends to interview finalists and vote on an employment contract for the Watertown High School Dean of Students position.

• Interviews for WHS Dean of Students finalists
• Resolution #9528: WHS Dean of Students employment contract (effective 8/24/26)

PUBLIC NOTICE OF GATHERING - WUSD Board Retreat

The Watertown Unified School District Board of Education will meet for a retreat on July 28, 2026, to discuss board evaluation data and future focus areas. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. at Madison College and will not include any governmental business or formal action.

• Board Evaluation Survey Data Overview and Discussion
• 2026-2027 Board Focus Discussion
• 2026-27 Board Retreat Scheduling

The Board reviewed data from the May 2026 Board Evaluation Survey and discussed focus areas for the 2026-2027 school year. Members identified professional development needs regarding curriculum, finances, and state statutes. No formal votes on policy or spending were recorded.

• Reviewed Board Evaluation Survey data from May 2026
• Identified improving math and literacy as 2026-2027 Board focus
• Scheduled 2026-27 Board Retreats for January and May
• Confirmed WISEdash Local professional development for August 11, 2026

Regular Monthly Board Meeting

The Watertown School Board will consider approving a consent agenda that includes hiring of certified staff and teacher appointments for the upcoming school year. The board will also receive updates on the end-of-year strategic plan, a state-mandated ACT 12 incident report, and a discussion on student screentime. Several donations from local businesses are acknowledged.

• Consent agenda includes hiring of Josh Barnett as Dean of Students, plus nine other certified staff appointments and six teacher appointments starting in August 2026.
• Donations reported: Bank of Lake Mills $1,832.90, Ad-Tech Industries $1,089.84, K&S Manufacturing $1,000, Generac Foundation $1,000.
• Strategic discussion on 2025-26 ACT 12 incident report and a screentime reduction campaign for students.
• Board to approve minutes from June 22, July 14, and July 20, 2026 meetings.
• Reports from curriculum, fiscal, HR, planning, and policy committees.

Fiscal Management Committee Meeting

The Fiscal Management Committee will review and discuss several financial items, including a pool agreement with the City of Watertown, a summer construction update, a waste and recycling contract, and three purchases exceeding $20,000. The committee also will consider moving middle school co-curriculars to Fund 80 and discuss facility use fees for 2026-2027. No formal action will be taken; recommendations may go to the full board later.

• Pool agreement with City of Watertown
• Summer construction update for high school renovation
• Waste and recycling contract
• Three purchases over $20,000: two vans, USI benefits contract, Frontline Absence Management
• Movement of middle school co-curriculars to Fund 80 with mill rate impact analysis

Human Resources Committee Meeting

The Human Resources Committee will meet for review and discussion of district business. No formal action will be taken at this meeting, as decisions are reserved for regular Board meetings.

• Discussion of Curriculum and Instruction Position Classification
• Review of Consent Agenda and Human Resources Summary
• Review of June action items, including the Co-interim Superintendent contract and the addition of Tammy Fournier to the USI RFI process team

The Human Resources Committee reviewed personnel actions for the July 27 board consent agenda and recommended the administration continue recruiting for a Director of Curriculum and Instruction on an expedited timeline. No formal votes were taken; the committee also completed two action items from the June meeting and added a stipend discussion to the August agenda.

• Recommended recruiting for Director of Curriculum and Instruction (expedited timeline)
• Reviewed draft consent agenda for July 27 board meeting
• Completed action item: Add USI Insurance RFI to July agenda if new info
• Completed action item: Work with School Perceptions for board access to survey results
• Added stipend discussion to August 2026 HR Committee agenda

Special Board Meeting - Closed Session

The Watertown Unified School District Board of Education will meet in a closed session. The board intends to conduct interviews for the 2026-27 Interim Superintendent position.

• 2026-27 Interim Superintendent Interviews

The Watertown Area Public Schools Board held a special meeting in closed session to interview candidates for the 2026-27 interim superintendent position. No decisions were made during the open portion of the meeting; the board only convened, recessed to closed session, reconvened, and adjourned.

• Recessed to closed session for interim superintendent interviews (unanimous roll call)
• Reconvened to open session (unanimous roll call)
• Adjourned meeting at 10:48 p.m. (unanimous voice vote)

Planning Committee Meeting

The Watertown Unified School District Planning Committee will meet to review and discuss student and parent engagement survey results, an August administrator and board member gathering, and other internal items. No action will be taken at this meeting, which is limited to discussion and information.

• Discussion of 2026 Student and Parent Survey presentations and data
• Planning for an August administrator and BOE member gathering (dates proposed: Aug 11/12 breakfast, Aug 13/14 lunch)
• Review of past action items including BOE survey execution and onboarding materials
• Future agenda planning for upcoming meetings

The Planning Committee reviewed student and parent engagement survey results from May 2026, presented by School Perceptions. No formal decisions were made; the committee discussed survey findings, a potential August gathering, and action items. The next meeting is scheduled for September 9, 2026.

• Reviewed student and parent engagement survey results (no vote)
• Discussed August administrator and BOE member gathering options (no decision)
• Dan Voeltner volunteered for July 27 BOE in 60 Seconds update
• Considered August Planning Committee meeting (no action taken)

Educational Services Committee Meeting

The Watertown Unified School District Educational Services Committee will meet to review student performance dashboards and discuss technology. No official actions are scheduled for this committee meeting.

• Discussion of Endeavor and eCampus Academy Trimester 3 student data
• Review of 'The 57 Bus' update
• Discussion of technology topics including Screentime
• Review of past action items, including a 4K section resolution for the 2026-27 school year
• Public comment period limited to 10 minutes

The Educational Services Committee reviewed third trimester data for Endeavor and eCampus, noting improvements in credit completion and engagement. They discussed student screen time and technology use, agreeing to bring the topic to the full Board for a strategic discussion in July. An update on the book 'The 57 Bus' was provided, with a community member currently reviewing it. No formal votes were taken; the meeting was informational and planning-focused.

• Scheduled a Board Strategic Discussion on student technology use for the July BOE meeting
• Agreed to provide an update on the book 'The 57 Bus' after community feedback

Special Board Meeting - Closed Session

The Watertown Unified School District Board of Education is meeting in closed session under Wisconsin statute 19.85(1)(c) to discuss employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation of public employees. The board will conduct finalist interviews for the Schurz Elementary Interim Principal position and consider Resolution #9518 to approve an employment contract for the selected candidate, effective July 20, 2026.

• Finalist interviews for Schurz Elementary Interim Principal
• Resolution #9518 – Administrator Employment Contract for Elementary Interim Principal at Schurz Elementary
• Contract effective date: July 20, 2026

The Watertown Area Public Schools Board held a special meeting on July 14, 2026, that began in closed session to interview finalists for the Schurz Elementary Interim Principal position. After reconvening in open session, the board approved Resolution #9518, granting an employment contract to Jeremy Martin for the role, effective July 20, 2026. The motion carried with six yes votes and one abstention.

• Approved Resolution #9518 hiring Jeremy Martin as Elementary Interim Principal at Schurz Elementary, effective 07/20/2026 (6-0-1, Carl Schwarze abstained)

Policy Review Committee Meeting

The Policy Review Committee will meet to review and discuss various district administrative guidelines and educational goals. No action will be taken by the Board during this meeting, as decisions are reserved for regular monthly Board meetings.

• Discussion of administrative guidelines including FMLA leave, Section 504/ADA disability prohibitions, and criminal history record checks
• Review of educational outcome and process goals (Policies 2131 and 2132)
• Discussion of Board hiring best practices and procedures
• Review of guidelines for reporting threatening behaviors (ag3362.01)

The Policy Review Committee reviewed administrative guidelines and policies, approving modifications to align with existing board policy. They agreed to amend guidelines on resource speakers and policies on educational goals, sending them to first reading at the July board meeting. The committee also discussed formalizing hiring procedures and social media screening, with a draft policy to be developed.

• Approved modifying ag2521 Resource Speakers to align with Policy 2240, adding unbiased presentation language and board intervention right
• Approved moving Policy 2131 to first reading with amendment adding 'State of Wisconsin' before 'Constitution'
• Approved moving Policy 2132 to first reading with amendment to letter G, adding 'parents/guardians' and removing 'groups'
• Decided to leave Policy 1110 unchanged
• Agreed to send all administrative guidelines to first reading in July
• Sam Ouweneel will sponsor a hiring process policy draft
• Requested Scott Brown attend August meeting for Neola platform update