Watertown-Mayer Public Schools — Transcript
Sunday, February 1, 2026
Profile of a Graduate Implementation
District Financial Outlook and Five-Year Budget Projection
Long-Term Facilities Planning and Audit
Votes (6)
Acknowledgement of Donations, Contributions, and Fundraising
Moved by Miss Danielson [06:34 PM] · Seconded by Miss Gatsco [06:34 PM]
Mr. Schuler presented a list of significant donations received, particularly highlighting substantial contributions from the American Legion Post 121 for various school needs, including student support, field trips, robotics, sewing machines, special education, and Hall of Fame displays. Board members suggested involving students more directly in thanking donors.
Second and Final Read of District Policy 513: Student Promotion, Retention, and Program Design
Moved by Miss Schultz [06:37 PM] · Seconded by Mr. Burns [06:37 PM]
Mr. Scheler explained that Policy 513 underwent a comprehensive revision to better align with current practices for student promotion and early kindergarten entrance. No significant changes were made since its initial review.
First and Only Read of District Policies Requiring Review
Moved by Mr. Girtton [06:40 PM] · Seconded by Miss Schultz [06:40 PM]
The policy committee reviewed various annual policies, recommending approval with minimal changes from the previous year. A specific question was raised regarding the update status of the Family Medical Leave policy to comply with Minnesota state statutes, which was confirmed as having been updated previously.
Resolution 2609 (Possible Reduction in Programming and Teaching Staff)
Moved by Miss Okonnell [06:43 PM] · Seconded by Mr. Felt [06:43 PM]
Mr. Scheler presented Resolution 2609, an annual measure that authorizes administration to begin discussions on potential staff and programming reductions. He clarified that this resolution does not mandate reductions but initiates the planning process, with any specific proposals to be brought before the board for review and action in subsequent months.
Resolution 2610 (Approving Legislative Priorities)
Moved by Mr. Burns [06:46 PM] · Seconded by Miss Gatsco [06:46 PM]
Mr. Scheler introduced Resolution 2610 for approving the district's legislative priorities, which were presented in a combined and graphically simplified format focusing on 'funding and local control' and 'safer schools.' Approval will allow these priorities to be used as talking points during legislative visits, such as the upcoming Legislative Day at the Capital.
2027-2028 School Year Calendar (First Read)
Moved by Mr. Felt [06:52 PM] · Seconded by Miss Nathan [06:52 PM]
Mr. Schuler presented the first read of the 2027-2028 school year calendar, noting key features such as spring break returning to the last week of March and an early start before Labor Day for middle/high school (Sept 1st) and elementary (Sept 2nd) due to Labor Day's late date. Discussion included why the school year would extend past Memorial Day in some years despite starting early, attributing it to the need to meet student contact day requirements.
Notable Quotes (8)
And I think I don't know, Mr. Hennon, is she still there? The sewing machines. Can you remind me again? That was kind of an interesting um what the need was there. Yeah, she started a re started a uh textiles class and she just realized I mean the sewing machines were beyond repair so this was just a way to because it was it's actually been a pretty popular course.
I think they do like we did this before too from the softball side. Having the kids come in and and talk to them about what they like what they needed for, what they used it for. I know those lines members love that. So maybe taking a one step forward, I think especially look at how much they gave and they're always maybe one little small step. I think that would go a long way.
Mr. Chair, we bring back uh policy 513 for a second read. It's the student promotion, retention, and program design. As we mentioned last month, um this one uh took a pretty deep overhaul. And again, thank you to uh Miss Okonnell and our admin team uh for for taking time to revise us and get more in alignment to our current uh reality in terms of u how students are promoted or um early entrance to kindergarten, those type of things.
That family medical leave. I just have a quick question. Did that get updated with the Minnesota?
uh, each year, uh, we come to the board and asking, uh, for me for permission, um, and direction in terms of the, uh, possible reduction or potential reduction in programming and, um, uh, teaching staff. Um, again, this does not mean we're we're going to do any reductions whatsoever, but it does direct myself and our administration to begin that conversation...
Miss Huan was gracious enough to print you out a hard copy. um based on what we talked about at our work session, um kind of combined it all into really two categories, funding and local control and safer schools.
Again, a reminder that uh Labor Day is uh the 6th of of September. Um so it is late again and that is the reason the state has given us opportunity to start before Labor Day but not before um uh September 1st. So our first day with students in middle school and high school will be the first. Uh the elementary will start the 2nd.
Just one more question. Is it um so this time we're not ending before Memorial Day. Is it just because of the way I I obviously the calendar lies that we have to go that week after Memorial Day instead of like our 26 27 were ending before.
Ordinances & Resolutions (8)
Student Promotion, Retention, and Program Design; underwent a deep overhaul to align with current realities.
Updated to reflect Minnesota state statutes prior to annual review.
Grants permission for administration to begin conversations about potential reductions in programming and teaching staff.
Approves the district's legislative priorities, focused on funding, local control, and safer schools.
First read of the calendar, outlining school start/end dates, spring break, and staff development days.
Mid-way check-ins are underway with various school groups to assess progress and gather feedback.
Initial steps presented, outlining enrollment, revenue, and expense assumptions for future budget planning.
Long-Term Facility Maintenance plan, which W architects will help build for 2-year and 10-year forecasts.