Congratulations to Laurie Hoffmann, David Handyside, Christina DeGrave, and Julaine Appling on their April 7, 2026 election to the Watertown Unified School District Board of Education.
A total of eight candidates sought election to the Board, with Hoffmann, Handyside, DeGrave, and Appling being the top four vote winners. Thank you to candidates Sara Fitch, David Byrne, James Helmke, and David Mazzie for their willingness to run for the Board and for their support of our school district.
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay
Watertown High School Advanced Placement Art Student Nathan Anderson was recognized with an award at last month's State Youth Art Month Exhibit. More than 500 qualifying art pieces from regions all around the state were part of the display at East Towne Mall and judges selected a small number of winners based on artistic merit. Nathan's painting "Deer Boy" was chosen for one of the prestigious Royal Brush Co. awards. Pictured here are Art Teacher Dave Pawl who entered the work and Nathan Anderson with the award winning piece.
A decades-long tradition reborn! 🧮✨
After many years away, our district officially returned to the Math 24 arena through the Southern Lakes Advanced Learners Network! This fast-paced mental math challenge requires students to combine four numbers using any operation to reach exactly 24 - all in a matter of seconds.
A huge shoutout to the three trailblazing students - Anna Gerike, Marley Weber, and Tenley Wehner - who stepped up to represent the WUSD and pave the way for a new generation of mathletes. We’re so proud of them for breaking the ice and showing the grit it takes to restart a legacy. This is just the first step in building our Math 24 program back to its full strength! 🧠⚡
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay
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After many years away, our district officially returned to the Math 24 arena through the Southern Lakes Advanced Learners Network! This fast-paced mental math challenge requires students to combine four numbers using any operation to reach exactly 24 - all in a matter of seconds.
A huge shoutout to the three trailblazing students - Anna Gerike, Marley Weber, and Tenley Wehner - who stepped up to represent the WUSD and pave the way for a new generation of mathletes. We’re so proud of them for breaking the ice and showing the grit it takes to restart a legacy. This is just the first step in building our Math 24 program back to its full strength! 🧠⚡
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay
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Tomorrow - Tuesday, April 7 - is Election Day 🗳
Our community will vote on an operational referendum for the WUSD that would provide $4.5 million per year for five years to support district operational, instructional, and day-to-day maintenance expenses. If the referendum is approved, what would this mean for your taxes?
▪ A property with an assessed value of $100,000 would see an estimated tax increase of $96 per year or $8 per month
▪ A property with an assessed value of $200,000 would see an estimated tax increase of $192 per year or $16 per month
▪ A property with an assessed value of $300,000 would see an estimated tax increase of $288 per year or $24 per month
The WUSD recognizes it is asking for financial support at a time when many household budgets are already stretched thin. The district is working hard to reduce its operating budget - already cutting expenses by more than $1.2 million coming into the 2025-26 school year. Even with an approved referendum, deep budget reductions will still need to be made.
To learn more about the Operational Referendum and why it is needed, please visit https://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/page/spring-referendum.
Our community will vote on an operational referendum for the WUSD that would provide $4.5 million per year for five years to support district operational, instructional, and day-to-day maintenance expenses. If the referendum is approved, what would this mean for your taxes?
▪ A property with an assessed value of $100,000 would see an estimated tax increase of $96 per year or $8 per month
▪ A property with an assessed value of $200,000 would see an estimated tax increase of $192 per year or $16 per month
▪ A property with an assessed value of $300,000 would see an estimated tax increase of $288 per year or $24 per month
The WUSD recognizes it is asking for financial support at a time when many household budgets are already stretched thin. The district is working hard to reduce its operating budget - already cutting expenses by more than $1.2 million coming into the 2025-26 school year. Even with an approved referendum, deep budget reductions will still need to be made.
To learn more about the Operational Referendum and why it is needed, please visit https://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/page/spring-referendum.
April 6-10 is National Assistant/Associate Principals Week. We are proud to recognize our dedicated Watertown High School Associate Principals - Justin Crandall, Justin Diderrich, and Jennifer Pennington. We thank them for all they do to support our schools. 💙
The Watertown Unified School District Board of Education will hold a special meeting Wednesday, April 8 at 5 p.m. at the Educational Service Center, 111 Dodge St. This meeting will take place in both open and closed session.
To view the meeting agenda, please click here: https://go.boarddocs.com/wi/watertown/Board.nsf/vpublic?open.
To view the meeting agenda, please click here: https://go.boarddocs.com/wi/watertown/Board.nsf/vpublic?open.
The Watertown High School Academic Decathlon Team is heading to the National Competition in California later this month and is still working hard to raise funds to offset their travel expenses. Help them out this Wednesday, April 8, by enjoying dinner at Culver's of Watertown from 5-8 p.m. Students will be helping to deliver orders and earning a portion of the proceeds from all sales during that time frame.
Don't forget, they are also welcoming donations via a GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/d91e47c25. Thank you!
Don't forget, they are also welcoming donations via a GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/d91e47c25. Thank you!
Look all these lawnmowers!
We may be on Spring Break, but our Watertown High School SkillsUSA and Supermileage team students have been busy with the annual Lawnmower Tune-Up. This special event serves as an important fundraiser for WHS Technical Education programming.
This year our students, under the guidance of staff and parent advisors, are completing tune-ups on more than 200 lawnmowers. Each year the number of mowers serviced continues to grow - thank you, Watertown!
The $50 tune-up includes an oil change, blade sharpening, and new plug and filter. The mowers are also filled with new gas and power washed clean.
We are super proud of these students! Watch for next year's Lawnmower Tune-Up to be advertised in early March.
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay
We encourage all Watertown area residents to be informed regarding the WUSD Operational Referendum that is on the ballot this Tuesday, April 7.
To learn more about the referendum, and what's at stake whether it passes or fails, please visit https://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/page/spring-referendum.
To learn more about the referendum, and what's at stake whether it passes or fails, please visit https://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/page/spring-referendum.
Today, Wednesday, April 1, 2026 is Paraprofessional Appreciation Day. Thank you to our Watertown Unified School District Paraprofessionals for all they do to support learning in our schools. 💙
Webster Elementary School held its Cool, Awesome and Terrific Students (CATS) lunch on Friday, March 27. Each month, students are selected by teachers in grades 5K-5 for making great gains in an academic area or by working super hard. As a reward, the students get to eat lunch with their principal, Mr. Brad Clark.
Picture 1 - Grades K, 1 & 2
Top Row (left to right): Khloey Chentis, Easton Butler, Bennett Rahberger
Next Row (left to right): Finley Ceballos, Beckett Abel, Lincoln Stewart
Bottom Row (left to right): Nova White, Remi Coffey, Dixon Vaillancourt
Picture 2 - Grades 3, 4 & 5
Top Row (left to right): Ryan Vande Slunt, Aliyah Fox, Harlen Mertz
Next Row (left to right): Braelyn Rein, Mason Ferry, Julian Enriquez
Bottom Row (left to right): Taylor Cornell, Chase McDonald, Griffin Loppnow
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay
Picture 1 - Grades K, 1 & 2
Top Row (left to right): Khloey Chentis, Easton Butler, Bennett Rahberger
Next Row (left to right): Finley Ceballos, Beckett Abel, Lincoln Stewart
Bottom Row (left to right): Nova White, Remi Coffey, Dixon Vaillancourt
Picture 2 - Grades 3, 4 & 5
Top Row (left to right): Ryan Vande Slunt, Aliyah Fox, Harlen Mertz
Next Row (left to right): Braelyn Rein, Mason Ferry, Julian Enriquez
Bottom Row (left to right): Taylor Cornell, Chase McDonald, Griffin Loppnow
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay
On Tuesday, April, 7, our community will vote on a referendum for the WUSD that would provide the district with $4.5 million per year for five years to fund operational, instructional, and maintenance expenses. This funding, if approved, would not be for new buildings or major building remodeling projects.
🗳 Election Day is just ONE WEEK from tomorrow!
On Tuesday, April 7, our community will vote on an operational referendum for the Watertown Unified School District that would provide (if approved) $4.5 million per year for five years to fund district operational, instructional and maintenance expenses.
To learn more about the referendum and why it is needed, please visit https://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/page/spring-referendum.
On Tuesday, April 7, our community will vote on an operational referendum for the Watertown Unified School District that would provide (if approved) $4.5 million per year for five years to fund district operational, instructional and maintenance expenses.
To learn more about the referendum and why it is needed, please visit https://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/page/spring-referendum.
The Watertown regional exhibit and competition of WRAP Teen was held earlier this month in the Watertown High School Art Gallery.
The Wisconsin Regional Art Program is sponsored by the Association of Wisconsin Artists. Over 60 works of art were submitted from four different schools and eight winners were selected to advance to the State Show in Madison this summer. Four Watertown High School students were selected to advance. Winners include Ruby Repp, Dylan Smith, Isaac VanBuren and Mikayla Maier.
Congratulations to these students! 🌟
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay
The Wisconsin Regional Art Program is sponsored by the Association of Wisconsin Artists. Over 60 works of art were submitted from four different schools and eight winners were selected to advance to the State Show in Madison this summer. Four Watertown High School students were selected to advance. Winners include Ruby Repp, Dylan Smith, Isaac VanBuren and Mikayla Maier.
Congratulations to these students! 🌟
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay
On a sunny, warm spring day like today, it's hard to believe we had a blizzard less than two weeks ago. Just sharing some cute photos of Webster Elementary School Wildcats enjoying the short-lived snow.
The Watertown Unified School District will host a LIVE Operational Referendum discussion tonight on our Facebook page and YouTube Channel starting at 8 p.m. This will be a great opportunity for members of our community to learn about the referendum from the comfort of their own homes.
Please note: this live event was originally scheduled to start at 6 p.m., but due to the City Council Candidate Forum taking place at the Watertown Public Library at 6:30 p.m., we have adjusted our start time to 8 p.m. so the events do not overlap.
Don't forget to tune at 8 p.m. on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WatertownUnifiedSD or on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@watertownunifiedschooldist7936.
Please note: this live event was originally scheduled to start at 6 p.m., but due to the City Council Candidate Forum taking place at the Watertown Public Library at 6:30 p.m., we have adjusted our start time to 8 p.m. so the events do not overlap.
Don't forget to tune at 8 p.m. on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WatertownUnifiedSD or on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@watertownunifiedschooldist7936.
A group of Riverside Middle School 8th graders are currently in Washington, D.C. learning about and seeing history close-up. The students and staff chaperones have so far toured the Pentagon, the many monuments, the National Archives, the Jefferson Memorial, the Spy Museum, and more. We look forward to hearing all about their trip when they return. ✈
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay
Congratulations to these eCampus Academy students for earning a spot on the Honor Roll and High Honor Roll for Trimester 2 of the 2025-26 school year! 🌟
eCampus Academy is the WUSD's innovative K-12 online charter school designed for learners across our district, community, and the entire state of Wisconsin. With over 600 courses available, from foundational 4K learning to advanced college-level offerings, eCampus Academy brings education to students wherever they are, on their terms. For more information, visit ecampusacademy.org.
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay
eCampus Academy is the WUSD's innovative K-12 online charter school designed for learners across our district, community, and the entire state of Wisconsin. With over 600 courses available, from foundational 4K learning to advanced college-level offerings, eCampus Academy brings education to students wherever they are, on their terms. For more information, visit ecampusacademy.org.
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay
Today marks two weeks until election day. On Tuesday, April 7, our community will vote on a referendum for the WUSD that would provide the district with $4.5 million per year for five years to fund operational, instructional, and maintenance expenses.
The WUSD is currently experiencing a budget deficit due to the expiration of the last operational referendum in 2023, rising costs due to inflation, inadequate state funding, and more. A successful referendum would allow the district to slow the pace of school consolidations, stabilize its financial foundation, retain our great teachers and attract high-quality staff, and maintain our core programs, services, and facilities.
Please be informed! The community is invited to attend a brief operational referendum presentation tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Watertown Public Library. If you have questions, or for more information, please email referendum2026@mywusd.org.
The WUSD is currently experiencing a budget deficit due to the expiration of the last operational referendum in 2023, rising costs due to inflation, inadequate state funding, and more. A successful referendum would allow the district to slow the pace of school consolidations, stabilize its financial foundation, retain our great teachers and attract high-quality staff, and maintain our core programs, services, and facilities.
Please be informed! The community is invited to attend a brief operational referendum presentation tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Watertown Public Library. If you have questions, or for more information, please email referendum2026@mywusd.org.
Tree removal will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery next to Riverside Middle School March 25-31 (weather permitting). Please note the cemetery will be closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic during this time.
