Watertown School Board President addresses death of student

WATERTOWN, S.D. (KXLG) — At the outset of the Watertown School Board meeting Monday evening president Stuart Stein addressed the recent death of 15-year-old Marianna “Mari” Smith who was a 9th grader at Watertown High School.

Stein didn’t know all the facts of Marianna’s death last Thursday evening, but added the community and school is missing her. He took the opportunity to remind everyone that the School Disrict’s initiative this year is to encourage everyone to say something if they see something.

Stein says the recent shift in the focus of the Watertown School District to encourage the importance of social-emotional learning is a great start, but how people are treated on a daily basis is equally important.

Watertown Police haven’t stated what the cause of Smith’s death was, but no foul play is suspected. Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday at the 7th Day Adventist Church in Watertown.