Watertown-Mayer Public Schools — Transcript
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Story
Watertown-Mayer schools approve fee increases for athletics and activities
Student Achievement, Programs, and Recognition
District Policy and Handbook Updates
Athletic and Activity Fee Schedule Adjustments
Facility Planning, Community Education, and Technology Initiatives
Legislative Session Impact and Financial Stewardship
Votes (5)
Acknowledgement of Donations, Contributions, and Fundraising
Moved by Mr. O'Neal [0:07:07] · Seconded by Mr. Burns [0:07:09]
Mr. Schuler presented a list of donors and the beneficiaries of their contributions. Key donations included $1,500 from American Legion Post 121 to BPA, $415 from Trinity Lutheran Church to the Watertown Middle School student fund for field trip fees, and $1,500 from the Mayor Baseball Club to BPA nationals. Hexel Machine Incorporated donated metal to the agriculture department for welding classes.
District Procurement Policy Annual Review (Second and Final Read)
Moved by Miss Schultz [0:09:12] · Seconded by Mr. Felt [0:09:15]
The discussion centered on the procurement policy, specifically the spending thresholds for the Superintendent and Business Manager. Mr. Schuler noted that Mr. Felt had performed 'leg work' by consulting with the Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA) to determine a good range. The policy sets the superintendent's and business manager's non-budget item spending range at $5,000 to $25,000.
2026-2027 Parent Student Handbooks Approval
Moved by Miss Danielson [0:14:38] · Seconded by Miss Gatskco [0:14:41]
The elementary handbook involved only a date change. The middle school handbook introduced a paragraph on responsible AI use and an athletic academic eligibility policy to mirror the high school's. The high school handbook clarified AI use, strengthened the extracurricular attendance policy (ineligibility for unexcused absences), updated academic resource time language, adjusted commencement exercise credits, and revised eligibility criteria for valedictorian/salutatorian awards, ensuring rigorous class participation.
2026-2027 Athletic and Activity Fee Schedule
Moved by Miss Nathan [0:26:40] · Seconded by Miss Schultz [0:26:42]
Mr. Samansky presented data showing activities department revenues covering 29-35% of expenses over the last four years, with a target of reaching the low 30s. The proposed changes included a $15 across-the-board activity fee increase (e.g., middle school sport to $115), a $50 increase to the family cap (to $900), and adjustments to adult ($100) and family ($275) athletic passes. Admission fees remained $7 for adults and $5 for students, but a 90-cent fee for credit card payments was introduced. Boys hockey fees are set by West Tonka at $375.
Resolution for Minnesota State High School League Membership
Moved by Mr. Felt [0:29:05] · Seconded by Miss Gatskco [0:29:07]
Mr. Schuler presented the annual resolution required by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) for districts to maintain membership and participate in its programming. He noted that Mr. Nell serves as the school board representative, and other staff members and community individuals are involved in the local advisory committee. Approval of the resolution triggers the digital signing process with the MSHSL.
Notable Quotes (6)
The superintendent range is 5,000 to 25,000 for non-budget items. It's the same for business manager.
AI is something that the middle school and high school added just a paragraph talking a little bit about the intent to embrace the technology resources with responsibility.
We have a an issue with some of our athletes especially with unexcused absence. Technically if you have an unexcused absence at any part during the day you can be declared ineligible for that night and just it seems like it's unfortunately getting a little worse. So I just want to make that very clear to them from day one that if you miss anything excuse you can be sitting out.
We decided to to take a look at we'd never be in a position where we would take in 100% to cover our expenses. If we did that, you'd be looking at probably $750 to play a sport. And that's just not very realistic.
I think our goal or our target would be at a minimum get into the 30s a little bit just to to have that as kind of our our bottom there.
Paul had mentioned too, there's some, you know, expenses that are really out of our control and you talked about referees being one where those are set by those referee associations. So, and we know it's hard to get referees. So, those numbers are climbing.
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
District policy governing spending ranges for the Superintendent and Business Manager.
Annual handbook for elementary students, primarily date change.
Annual handbook for middle school students, including AI and athletic eligibility updates.
Annual handbook for high school students, including AI, extracurricular attendance, and award eligibility updates.
Resolution for annual membership in the Minnesota State High School League.
Handbook detailing use and rental of district facilities, under review for cost recovery.