Florence Parent Questions Watertown School District Decision Ending Boys & Girls Club Drop-Offs
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - A Florence parent urged the Watertown School Board Monday night to reconsider a decision prohibiting out‑of‑town school districts from dropping students at the Boys & Girls Club after school, saying the change creates confusion, safety concerns, and contradicts long‑standing transportation arrangements families rely on.
Parent asks board to explain decision, revisit policy
During Item 7.1 — Public Input, Watertown resident Jackie Jacobson addressed the board, explaining that her second‑grade daughter attends Florence Elementary through open enrollment and is also enrolled at the Boys & Girls Club in Watertown.
Jacobson said families were notified in late May that Watertown School District informed Florence it could no longer drop students at the Boys & Girls Club, citing SDCL 13‑28‑45, which requires transportation arrangements for open‑enrolled students to be mutually agreed upon by both school boards. Florence’s letter stated the National Guard Armory is now the only approved location.
Jacobson told the board she later learned Waverly and Henry received similar notices.
“The arrangement comes at no cost to the Watertown School District, and since it has worked successfully for years, my question was simply: why is it changing, and what concern is this change intended to address?”
Parent says board responses were inconsistent.
Jacobson said she emailed each board member seeking clarity. She thanked the three who responded, but noted the explanations varied — some referenced increased traffic around the new athletic complex. At the same time, another said the board had not yet discussed the issue.
She said she could not find any mention of the change in past board minutes, leaving her unsure whether the board or administration made the decision.
“I respectfully ask for clarification so families can better understand how this decision was made and who made it.”
Questions raised about traffic, safety, and timing
Jacobson challenged whether the change would reduce traffic, noting most students will still need to reach the Boys & Girls Club by other means — potentially increasing vehicle traffic, transit use, or requiring young children to walk along busy streets in all weather conditions.
She said Florence’s bus typically arrives around 4:10 p.m., and Henry’s around 4:20 p.m., after high school traffic has largely cleared.
“If this decision is truly based on traffic, has there been a documented incident, a traffic study, or a formal safety assessment supporting this change? If so, I hope that information can be shared for the sake of transparency.”
Parent asks whether Boys & Girls Club was consulted
Jacobson said the Boys & Girls Club submitted a letter requesting that previous arrangements remain in place, and asked whether Watertown consulted the Club’s staff or board before making the change.
“Watertown schools have had a long‑standing partnership with the Club… I respectfully encourage this board to consider the Club’s perspective and engage with its leadership before moving forward with a change that directly affects this valued organization.”
“These students are still part of your community”
Jacobson emphasized that families choose open enrollment for many reasons and that the decision should not create divisions between districts.
“We still root for the Arrows. Florence is simply a better fit for our family at this time.”
She closed by asking the board to revisit the decision and work toward a cooperative agreement that allows Florence, Waverly, Henry, and other districts to continue safely transporting students to the Boys & Girls Club.
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