03/03/2026 WCSD BOE Meeting

The Watertown City School District Board of Education held a meeting on March 3, 2026, which included several procurement-related discussions and approvals. Key procurement actions included the approval of a two-year contract with the Watertown City Police Department for a school resource officer, with costs increasing from $123,318 to $130,200 for the 2026-27 school year and $133,920 for 2027-28. The board also approved placing a $5.3 million energy efficiency capital project proposition on the May 19, 2026 ballot, aimed at upgrades such as LED lighting and other energy improvements, with an expected completion by November 2027. Additionally, the board approved participation in a cooperative purchasing program with the Oswego County Board of Cooperative Educational Services for water testing and sampling services, aiming to improve water quality and potentially replace water fountains with filtered systems. Other procurement-related approvals included a tree removal consent agreement and various personnel and policy updates. Budget discussions highlighted ongoing efforts to finalize numbers amid state funding uncertainties, with a focus on infrastructure needs and energy projects. No new bus purchases were approved due to high costs and state mandates for electric buses by 2035, with the recommendation to continue the current First Student contract.