Watertown splits on school referendums

By Teresa Stowell of the Daily Times staff
Wednesday, November 5, 2008 12:52 PM CST

The Watertown School Board will finally be able to alleviate space issues within the district elementary schools, but may have a difficult time funding additional teachers and staff for that space, according to the outcome of Tuesday's vote.

The $22,385,000 referendum was approved Tuesday with 7,536 residents voting in favor of the proposed additions and renovations, and 6,465 residents voting against it.

The second question asking for approval to exceed revenue limits by $560,000 for seven years was defeated by 918 votes with 6,475 residents voting in favor of the additional funds, and 7,393, voting against it.

“We're just very thankful for the community's support and their realization for the need in our schools,” Kate Lapin, school board president, said. “We'll move forward with the renovations and additions and somewhere in the future we'll discuss the second question that failed. Obviously if we build the classrooms we'll need to staff it with teachers. I'm hopeful that when the time comes the community will realize that need and funds will be approved.”

Superintendent Dr. Doug Keiser said although the funding is needed to staff the additional classrooms constructed, the board will revisit that issue down the road.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Our immediate concern is with the large class sizes,” Keiser said. “None of this will happen over night. It will be a two year period before we'd even need the extra funds to support the additional space. Right now we're taking this one step at a time.”

Each school in the district is projected to receive updates with this facilities plan. Board members and administrators will begin working with architects on the plans for additions which include constructing 11 new classrooms to Douglas School, a new gym to Webster School, seven additional classrooms and a cafeteria at Schurz School, an elevator at Lincoln School, and a secure entryway at Lebanon School. The funds will also be used to purchase new equipment, furnishings and fixtures.

Each elementary school will have windows and floors replaced and updated security systems and doors. Heating, ventilation and air condition systems will also be replaced at all elementary schools.

The Watertown High School will have windows and boilers replaced and the security system will be upgraded.

The Riverside Middle School will have outdoor lighting, entryways, air controls for the HVAC all replaced. Upgrades will be made to the restrooms, the emergency generator and the front driveway.

“We'll start almost immediately to design the detailed plans to get the bid packages ready for the bidding process,” Keiser said. “This is really a good time for construction because a number of companies are hungry for work which will help us get competitive bids.”

After two previously failed referendums, Keiser attributes the successful referendum to the board's actions in listening to the community.

“This is the plan the community told us they wanted to support, to invest in our existing facilities,” Keiser said. “The board held different listening sessions, a survey, and formed the community member advisory committee. Also, I think the previous referendums ended up being an educational tool and helped people understand there was a need.”

Lapin said construction on the additional classrooms, cafeteria and gym will begin in June 2009 when school is out for the year. Work on the additions will continue through the school year and renovations will take place the next summer. Lapin said the whole plan is projected to be complete by August 2010.

A proposed long term plan includes going to referendum again for a new middle school when the high school debt falls off in 2012. Lapin said the board plans to form more community member committees to research that option.

“We truly appreciate this. We know with the hard economic times this was a tough decision for a lot of people,” Lapin said. “This will go a long way to alleviating the space issues, getting class sizes down to recommended numbers and making our buildings more energy efficient.”