Watertown School Board Renews K-12 Leadership Amid Split Vote

Watertown School Board Members Deliberate on K-12 Leadership Renewal Amid Divided Vote.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown School Board held a roll-call vote on Monday night to authorize the continued employment of 19 K-12 administrators and directors for the 2026-2027 school year.

The motion passed by a 4-1 margin, marking one of the few instances of opposition during the vote.

The 4-1 Roll Call

The authorization covered the district’s top leadership tiers, ranging from the superintendent and business manager to building principals and directors. Board Member Jean Moulton cast the lone dissenting vote against the renewal of the administrative roster.

Leadership Roster for 2026-2027

The approved list ensures that the district’s current leadership structure remains largely intact for the next academic year. Key positions included in the authorization are:

·         District Office: Superintendent Dr. Jeff Danielsen, Assistant Superintendent Derek Barrios, and Business Manager Heidi Clausen .

·         Specialized Directors: Special Services Director Dr. Jennifer Bollinger and Technology Director Tim Kruse.

·         Building Leadership: Principals and assistant principals across the district’s elementary, middle, and high school levels.

K-12 Administrators and Directors (2026-2027)

·         This list was approved in a split 4-1 roll-call vote, with Board Member Jean Moulton casting the lone dissenting vote.

·         Dr. Jeff Danielsen

·         Derek Barrios 

·         Heidi Clausen 

·         Emily Sovell 

·         Craig Boyens 

·         Tricia Walker 

·         Dr. Jennifer Bollinger

·         Tim Kruse 

·         Patty McClemans 

·         Amber Thomas 

·         Chris Weber 

·         Dr. Todd Brist

·         Chad Johnson 

·         Dr. Shannon Knopf

·         Aaron Kinowski 

·         John Decker 

·         Becca Briggs 

·         Emily Hatton 

·         Andrine Ward