WATERTOWN, NY – The Watertown City School District (WCSD) is proud to share the results of the 2025–26 budget vote and Board of Education election—an important step forward on our continued “Pathway to Excellence: Nurturing Our Children, Shaping Our Future.” On behalf of the District, I extend sincere thanks to every community member who engaged in this process. Your voice helps shape a vibrant, student-centered future for all who call Watertown home.
Here are the outcomes of the propositions and the BOE election:
BUDGET PROPOSITION #1
Shall the Board of Education of the Watertown City School District be authorized to expend a total of $103,909,155 for the operation of the schools in said school district for the 2025-2026 school year and that said sum be raised by tax upon the taxable property of said school district after first deducting the estimated money available from state aid and other sources?-
– YES: 574
– NO: 282
PROPOSITION #2 – 2025 CAPITAL RESERVE FUND
Shall the board of education be authorized to establish a new ten-year capital reserve fund pursuant to section 3651 of the education law and fund such reserve fund in an amount not to exceed $15,000,000, inclusive of accrued interest and other investment earnings, to be used for construction, reconstruction, renovations, improvements and additions to all district facilities, including purchase of equipment, technology upgrades, classroom equipment and/or school infrastructure equipment, site development, athletic fields, playgrounds, storm and sanitary sewer, driveways, and parking lots, with such reserve fund to be funded from (i) year-end budget surplus funds known as unassigned fund balance, as available, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025 and each fiscal year thereafter for the term of the reserve fund, (ii) transfers of excess monies from board of education designated reserves, (iii) amounts from budgetary appropriations from time to time, and (iv) New York State aid received and made available by the Board of Education from time to time, all as permitted by law.
– YES: 663
– NO: 186
PROPOSITION #3: 2025 FURNITURE RESERVE FUND
Shall the board of education be authorized to establish a new ten-year capital reserve fund pursuant to section 3651 of the education law and fund such reserve fund in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000, inclusive of accrued interest and other investment earnings, to be used for purchase of furniture, necessary furnishings, fixture and equipment, with such reserve fund to be funded from (i) year-end budget surplus funds known as unassigned fund balance, as available, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025 and each fiscal year thereafter for the term of the reserve fund, (ii) transfers of excess monies from board of education designated reserves, (iii) amounts from budgetary appropriations from time to time, and (iv) New York State aid received and made available by the Board of Education from time to time, all as permitted by law.
– YES: 632
– NO: 214
PROPOSITION #4 SECURITY PROPOSITION
Shall the board of education be authorized to undertake a project consisting of security system upgrades and additions, including, but not limited to, the purchase of Opengate metal detection units and a handheld radio system (the “Project”) in an amount not to exceed $500,000 which is estimated to be the total maximum cost thereof, and pay for such Project by using $500,000 from the IT Reserve Fund.
– YES: 689
– NO: 162
School Board Election
– Michael Struchen: 279
– Krystin LaBarge: 194
– Melanie Stano: 305
– Hannah Sherrill: 162
– Culley Gosier: 512
– Write-Ins: 62
