Watertown School Board sets math and literacy as 2026-27 focus; most recent meetings await minutes
The Watertown Area Public Schools Board's only confirmed decisions in the past two weeks came at its July 28 retreat, where members identified improving math and literacy as the board's focus area for 2026-27 and scheduled two retreats. Most other recent meetings were agenda-only with minutes not yet published, so their outcomes are not yet in the official record.
Board Retreat — July 28 (decided)
According to official minutes, the board:
- Reviewed Board Evaluation Survey data from May 2026.
- Identified improving math and literacy as the 2026-2027 board focus.
- Scheduled 2026-27 board retreats for January and May.
- Confirmed WISEdash Local professional development for August 11, 2026.
No formal votes on policy or spending were recorded.
Regular Monthly Board Meeting — July 27 (agenda only)
Minutes are not yet published. The agenda called for the board to consider:
- A consent agenda including hiring Josh Barnett as Dean of Students, plus nine other certified staff appointments and six teacher appointments starting 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 the 2025-26 ACT 12 incident report and a student screentime reduction campaign.
- Approval of minutes from June 22, July 14, and July 20, 2026 meetings.
- Reports from curriculum, fiscal, HR, planning, and policy committees.
Committee Meetings — July 20 and 22 (agenda only)
Both committees met for discussion only; no formal action was taken.
Human Resources Committee (July 20):
- 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.
Fiscal Management Committee (July 22):
- Pool agreement with the City of Watertown.
- Summer construction update for high school renovation.
- Waste and recycling contract.
- Three purchases over $20,000: two vans, a USI benefits contract, and Frontline Absence Management.
- Movement of middle school co-curriculars to Fund 80, with mill rate impact analysis.
Closed Session — July 20 (agenda only)
The board intended to conduct interviews for the 2026-27 Interim Superintendent position. Minutes are not yet published.
Cancelled Meeting — July 30
A special closed-session board meeting scheduled for July 30 was cancelled. It had been set to interview finalists and vote on Resolution #9528, a WHS Dean of Students employment contract effective 8/24/26.
Coming Up
- **Aug. 3 — Special Board Meeting, closed session:** Finalist interviews and consideration of Resolution #9529, a WHS Career and Technology Education Coordinator employment contract effective 8/24/26.
- **Aug. 4 — Special Board Meeting, closed session:** Scheduled votes on Resolution #9531 (WUSD Communications Specialist, effective 8/10/26), Resolution #9532 (Special Education Program Coordinator, effective 8/11/26), and Resolution #9533 (Joseph Brachmann as Music Teacher at Douglas Elementary School, effective 8/24/26). Finalist interviews are also planned for the Communications Specialist and Special Education Program Coordinator roles.