Watertown School District

The Watertown School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Dr. Jeff Danielsen, Superintendent
PO Box 730, Watertown, SD 57201
605-882-6312

Mr. Derek Barrios, Assistant Superintendent
PO Box 730, Watertown, SD 57201
605-882-6312

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, see list of OCR Enforcement Offices for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481

Watertown School District offers a district level Title I preschool at McKinley Elementary School. Preschool students must be four years of age on or before September 1st. Qualifications for the preschool program are based on developmental screening scores, family income, and other environmental criteria. The preschool curriculum is based on SD Early Learning Guidelines and Head Start Standards. While attending preschool, students have the opportunity to attend library, SAFE, and participate in a language group taught by a district speech therapist. Additional program highlights include informational sessions for parents, home visits, and educational consulting. Our program provides an opportunity, for students that qualify, to start strong.

Parents interested in obtaining more information about the preschool program may contact McKinley Elementary School at 605-882-6350.

The Watertown School District has an ongoing "Child Find" system, which is designed to locate, identify and evaluate any child residing within its geographical boundaries who may have a disability and be in need of Special Education or 504 services. This includes children who are no in school; those who are in public, private or home school; those who are highly mobile such as children who are migrant or homeless; and those who are advancing from grade to grade who may need but are not receiving Special Education or 504 services.

The Watertown School District will make sure any child enrolled in its district who qualifies for Special Education or 504 services, regardless of how severe the disability, is provided appropriate Special Education or 504 services at no cost to the parents of the child.

If you know of a child who lives within the boundaries of the Watertown School District, who may have a disability, and may need but is not receiving Special Education or 504 services, please contact Jennifer Heath, Special Services Director, at 605-882-6398.

"Child Find" activities will continue throughout the school year. As part of these efforts the Watertown School District will use screening information, student records, and basic assessment information it collects on all children in the District to help locate those children who have a disability and need Special Education or 504 services. Any information the District collects through "Child Find" is maintained confidentially.

A parent, student, employee, or District stakeholder who has a complaint regarding the use of federal NCLB funds and is unable to solve the issue, may address the complaint in writing to the District's Superintendent.

Disputes addressing the enrollment, transportation (including inter-district disputes), and other barriers to the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness are also address under this procedure. Parents, guardians, and unaccompanied youth may initiate the dispute resolution process directly at the school they choose, as well as at the District or District's homeless liaison's office. The parent or guardian or unaccompanied youth
shall be provided with a written explanation of the school's decision including the rights of the parent, guardian, or youth to appeal the decision. Students should be provided with all services for which they are eligible while disputes are resolved.

• The superintendent will investigate, within one week, the circumstances of the complaint and render a decision within two weeks, after receipt of the complaint.

• The superintendent will notify the complainant of the decision in writing.

• The complainant will either accept or disagree with the decision and will provide acknowledgement in writing, addressed to the District's superintendent.

• If the issue is not resolved with the superintendent, the complaint will be forwarded to the District's School Board for further review. The parent or guardian or unaccompanied youth shall be provided with a written explanation of the District's decision including the rights of the parent, guardian or youth to appeal the decision.

• Unresolved complaints may be forwarded by the stakeholder to the South Dakota Department of Education for review-(Consult SD Department of Education Complaint Procedure)