Special Board of Education Meeting- September 30, 2026

The Watertown City School District Board of Education held a special meeting on September 30, 2026, to address asbestos abatement at Watertown High School. The board approved a Type II SEQRA determination, concluding that the project required no further environmental review, and approved treating the work as an emergency ordinary contingent expense to protect students, staff, and district property. The project’s maximum estimated cost is $250,000, funded from unappropriated fund balance; administrators said the bids received were approximately $120,000 to $215,000–$220,000.

No contractor was selected and no construction contract was awarded at this meeting. The district said it was still reviewing bid responsiveness, including requirements that work occur outside school hours and comply with prevailing-wage rules. After the architect finalizes an AIA contract, the board is expected to consider a further authorization to hire a contractor, potentially at its next meeting. The district also plans to seek state approval that could affect reimbursement of the costs.