Watertown Parent Calls for Homecoming Van Safety Committee at School Board Meeting
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - During the K-12 public input Session of the Watertown School District 14-4 Board of Education meeting on Monday night, Nov. 9, a Watertown High School parent and alumnus asked the board whether it plans to form a collaborative committee of students, parents, and faculty to evaluate future homecoming parade traditions and safety surrounding homecoming vans.
The inquiry followed comments made at the Oct. 13 school board meeting by board member Roshal Rossman, who raised safety concerns regarding homecoming vans after an article by Brad Johnson in the Watertown Current.
Parent Volunteers for Student-Parent-Faculty Committee
Evan Brandlee, a 1996 Watertown High School alumnus with a senior and a freshman currently attending WHS, addressed the board under Agenda Item 5.1.
"Question of mine is, is there any further discussion on creating a committee for students, parents, faculty for future homecoming parade events?" Brandlee asked. "Because I know last month you guys started talking about the homecoming vans and whatnot, and there was possible discussion of a committee being created to discuss future events—so things either do or don't happen, to try to prevent it as a school and parents. I was wondering if there was any further discussion on that."
District Administration Met With Watertown Police and Codington County Sheriff's Office
Responding to Brandlee’s question, Superintendent Dr. Jeff Danielsen updated that initial discussions have taken place between school administrators and local law enforcement, though a broader community committee has not yet been organized.
“I can update just at least the board too, but thus far the only action that has taken is a meeting that took place between high school and district administration and then the Watertown PD and Sheriff’s Department to look at some alternatives to current situations, but there has not been the formation of a larger group at this point,” Danielsen said.
Brandlee encouraged district leadership to include parents and students if a broader planning group is formed ahead of future homecomings, volunteering to serve on the committee himself.
"Because I know some parents would enjoy or love to be part of that discussion going forward," Brandlee said. "So if there is discussion between the school faculty, students, future students that would partake in this in the future, even past students, you know, from previous years, you know, we could have their input too, to see what happened, you know, during their experience, what could we change, you know, make it better for everybody coming forward. But just an idea. And I would partake in that committee too, if allowed."
