🗳 Community to Vote on WUSD Operational Referendum
On Dec. 15, 2025, the Watertown Unified School District Board of Education approved placing a $4.5 million Operational Referendum question on the April 7, 2026 ballot. If approved by voters, the referendum would support operational, instructional, and maintenance expenses for the district. The referendum would last for a duration of five years. Funding would be for operations only - not for new buildings or major building projects.
Funding from the last operational referendum expired in 2023. Despite careful planning and cutting more than $1.2 million from the 2025-26 budget, the WUSD is experiencing a budget shortfall that is not sustainable long term. We invite the community to learn more about why the referendum is needed. Please send any questions you may have to referendum2026@mywusd.org.
On Dec. 15, 2025, the Watertown Unified School District Board of Education approved placing a $4.5 million Operational Referendum question on the April 7, 2026 ballot. If approved by voters, the referendum would support operational, instructional, and maintenance expenses for the district. The referendum would last for a duration of five years. Funding would be for operations only - not for new buildings or major building projects.
Funding from the last operational referendum expired in 2023. Despite careful planning and cutting more than $1.2 million from the 2025-26 budget, the WUSD is experiencing a budget shortfall that is not sustainable long term. We invite the community to learn more about why the referendum is needed. Please send any questions you may have to referendum2026@mywusd.org.
Congratulations to the following students in grades 3-8 whose artwork or writing was selected out of almost 1,000 pieces from southeast Wisconsin to be published in the regional Southern Lakes Anthology:
Riverside Middle School: DeMarcus Smith, Josey Weber, Evelyn Winkelman, Ivy Muza
Douglas Elementary School: Kristine Sharlow
Lincoln STEM Elementary School: Isabell Lin, Benjamin Jobgen, Abram Deaton
Webster Elementary School: Marley Weber, Rawson Schweickhardt, Levon Cantrall, Wade Heller, Betsy Keepman, Evelina Grinwald, Braelyn Rein
A special congratulations to 4th grader Rawson Schweickhardt, whose artwork Star Cruiser was considered for cover art (but was ultimately not chosen.)
A special congratulations to 4th grader Marley Weber, whose poetry "Moments Before Gold" was chosen out of all 4th grade writing pieces to be the 4th grade "read-aloud" at the May Awards Celebration, where all of the published students will receive a copy of their book!
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay!
Riverside Middle School: DeMarcus Smith, Josey Weber, Evelyn Winkelman, Ivy Muza
Douglas Elementary School: Kristine Sharlow
Lincoln STEM Elementary School: Isabell Lin, Benjamin Jobgen, Abram Deaton
Webster Elementary School: Marley Weber, Rawson Schweickhardt, Levon Cantrall, Wade Heller, Betsy Keepman, Evelina Grinwald, Braelyn Rein
A special congratulations to 4th grader Rawson Schweickhardt, whose artwork Star Cruiser was considered for cover art (but was ultimately not chosen.)
A special congratulations to 4th grader Marley Weber, whose poetry "Moments Before Gold" was chosen out of all 4th grade writing pieces to be the 4th grade "read-aloud" at the May Awards Celebration, where all of the published students will receive a copy of their book!
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay!
The Watertown Unified School District is holding two meetings tonight - a listening session regarding the potential closure of Lincoln STEM Elementary School and an operational referendum presentation.
The school closure listening session will take place in the Lincoln School gymnasium from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Due to fire code restrictions, in-person seating capacity will be limited to roughly 220 attendees. Public comments this evening from those in the audience and from those participating virtually will be limited to three minutes each. To access meeting login information to join virtually or by phone, please visit https://go.boarddocs.com/wi/watertown/Board.nsf/vpublic?open.
An operational referendum presentation will be held at Webster Elementary School from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The community is invited to attend this presentation to learn more about the referendum and to ask any questions they may have. Please enter through doors closest to the flag pole along 12th Street.
The school closure listening session will take place in the Lincoln School gymnasium from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Due to fire code restrictions, in-person seating capacity will be limited to roughly 220 attendees. Public comments this evening from those in the audience and from those participating virtually will be limited to three minutes each. To access meeting login information to join virtually or by phone, please visit https://go.boarddocs.com/wi/watertown/Board.nsf/vpublic?open.
An operational referendum presentation will be held at Webster Elementary School from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The community is invited to attend this presentation to learn more about the referendum and to ask any questions they may have. Please enter through doors closest to the flag pole along 12th Street.
🚌 Celebrate School Bus Driver Appreciation Week! 🌟
February 9-13, 2026 is School Bus Driver Appreciation Week. Join us in recognizing our bus drivers for all they do to support our schools and for the care and safety they provide for our students. Thank you!
February 9-13, 2026 is School Bus Driver Appreciation Week. Join us in recognizing our bus drivers for all they do to support our schools and for the care and safety they provide for our students. Thank you!
💙🏫 It's School Counselor Appreciation Week and we invite you to join us in thanking our very own caring and compassionate school counselors - Mindy Ganser, Bryce Steckbauer, Kelly Cunningham, Jesse Leonhardt, Lora Konz, Avery Nickels, Erikka Olson, Matthew Dunn, and Amy True. The Watertown Unified School District is fortunate to have you, and we thank you for all you do for our students!
🖍 WUSD 4K & 5K registration opens today at 10 a.m.!
The Watertown 4 Kids (4K) program and the 5K program are open to children who will be four or five years old on or before Sept. 1, 2026. To register, visit https://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/page/enrollment-and-registration.
Watertown 4 Kids is a community-based and school-based tuition-free four-year-old kindergarten offered at six WUSD and affiliated locations. Full day 4K and full day 4K bilingual options are available. If you are interested in full day 4K, please register ASAP.
If online access is needed to register a child, parents/guardians may register in person at the Educational Service Center, 111 Dodge St., from 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call (920) 262-1460 ext. 3217 to schedule.
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay!
The Watertown 4 Kids (4K) program and the 5K program are open to children who will be four or five years old on or before Sept. 1, 2026. To register, visit https://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/page/enrollment-and-registration.
Watertown 4 Kids is a community-based and school-based tuition-free four-year-old kindergarten offered at six WUSD and affiliated locations. Full day 4K and full day 4K bilingual options are available. If you are interested in full day 4K, please register ASAP.
If online access is needed to register a child, parents/guardians may register in person at the Educational Service Center, 111 Dodge St., from 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call (920) 262-1460 ext. 3217 to schedule.
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay!
Fifth-grade students in the Watertown Unified School District recently attended a Kindness Retreat at Watertown High School. This fun-filled, high-energy special event was facilitated by Youth Frontiers to promote empathy and kindness. Pictured are students and staff from Webster Elementary School as well as high schoolers who served as student mentors.
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay!
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay!
Webster Elementary School kicked off its Kids' Heart Challenge with an assembly last Thursday. Webster students learned about ways to stay healthy and take care of their hearts. They also learned about ways they can raise money for the American Heart Association to help others with 'special hearts.' 💙
Watertown Unified School District 4K registration opens on Monday, Feb. 2. Several 4K Open Houses have been scheduled, and are listed in the flyer below.
To register for the Fall 4K program, children must be four-years-old by Sept. 1, 2026. To register for the Fall 5K program, children must be five-years-old by Sept. 1, 2026. Half-day and full-day options are available for 4K. The 5K program is full day. Watertown 4-Kids learning programs include STEM, Environmental & Agricultural, eCampus, Traditional, Multi-Age, Dual Language & more!
For more information, email Cheryl at hollatzc@mywusd.org or call (920) 262-1460.
To register for the Fall 4K program, children must be four-years-old by Sept. 1, 2026. To register for the Fall 5K program, children must be five-years-old by Sept. 1, 2026. Half-day and full-day options are available for 4K. The 5K program is full day. Watertown 4-Kids learning programs include STEM, Environmental & Agricultural, eCampus, Traditional, Multi-Age, Dual Language & more!
For more information, email Cheryl at hollatzc@mywusd.org or call (920) 262-1460.
Attention Parents and Guardians of 3 & 4-year-olds in Watertown!
The Watertown Unified School District is seeking 3 & 4-year-old students to join our Little Goslings Program. The Little Goslings Program is a play-based program focused on routines and social skills and is designed around the needs of our youngest learners with learning delays. As part of the program we seek Peer Models, same aged peers who display strong social skills, communication, and are toilet trained, to join our class. Peer Models help support an inclusive setting for all learners while participating in creative activities, strengthening school readiness and communication skills, and fostering relationships.
The next Peer Model screening will take place January 13, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Douglas Elementary School. To register your child for a screening or to learn more, click the link below or contact WUSD Special Education Program Manager Rebekah Faas at faasr@mywusd.org.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeyPrCtYpw16s8f1tc_Lj9tmgz0B8Td94grJXLWax4VcE63tw/viewform.
The Watertown Unified School District is seeking 3 & 4-year-old students to join our Little Goslings Program. The Little Goslings Program is a play-based program focused on routines and social skills and is designed around the needs of our youngest learners with learning delays. As part of the program we seek Peer Models, same aged peers who display strong social skills, communication, and are toilet trained, to join our class. Peer Models help support an inclusive setting for all learners while participating in creative activities, strengthening school readiness and communication skills, and fostering relationships.
The next Peer Model screening will take place January 13, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Douglas Elementary School. To register your child for a screening or to learn more, click the link below or contact WUSD Special Education Program Manager Rebekah Faas at faasr@mywusd.org.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeyPrCtYpw16s8f1tc_Lj9tmgz0B8Td94grJXLWax4VcE63tw/viewform.
The Watertown Unified School District invites members of the community to help share information regarding the upcoming April 7, 2026 Operational Referendum. To join in this effort, please take a moment to view and fill out this form by Jan. 8: https://bit.ly/44AhWbO.
Please send any questions to referendum2026@mywusd.org.
Please send any questions to referendum2026@mywusd.org.
Don't forget, tomorrow (Tues. Dec. 23) is an early release day for the Watertown Unified School District. Schools will dismiss tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. Happy Holidays! 🎄
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay!
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay!
Webster Weekly News December 22, 2025-January 2, 2026:
https://app.smore.com/n/upqy7k
Join us tonight for Briefings with Supt. Dr. Jarred Burke from 6-7 p.m. at the Watertown Public Library. This will be a great opportunity to learn more about the upcoming operational referendum and to discuss issues relevant to the Watertown Unified School District.
Please come with questions - we look forward to seeing you there!
Please come with questions - we look forward to seeing you there!
