Watertown School District proposes $116M budget with significant cuts for 2526 school year

The Watertown School District is set to operate on a preliminary budget of $116,846,196 for the 2025-2026 school year, marking a significant decrease of 10.91% from the previous year. This budget reflects major shifts, particularly in capital outlay, which has plummeted by 53.52% due to ongoing construction of the athletic complex.

The budget breakdown reveals that K-12 operations account for 54% of the overall budget, while Lake Area Technical College (LATC) comprises the remaining 46%. The general fund budget is proposed at $31,900,000, showing a slight decrease of 2.33%. Revenue sources are primarily local (43%) and state (44%), with a smaller portion coming from cash on hand and federal revenue.

Salaries and benefits dominate the budget, making up 84% of general operations. The Special Education Fund is projected to increase by 1.6%, totaling $9,100,000. The property tax levy stands at 1.462, with state aid reflecting a modest increase of 1.25%.

The budget anticipates an enrollment of 3,460 students, with an ending fund balance projected at $2,900,000, or 39.65% of fund expenditures. The LATC budget has also seen a decrease of 12.28%, with salaries and benefits comprising 57% of its total budget.

A budget hearing is scheduled for July 14 at 5 PM, where community members can discuss these financial plans and their implications for the district's educational services.