[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6188987,"mediaKeyId","5059627-9ec0213f1a6d43cc8595c63af73fa9ee","parentId",5059627,"title","West Allis-West Milwaukee board approves preliminary 2025–26 budget, raises fees and renews insurance","audioSeconds",653,"startMs",1249000,"endMs",1902000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5059627-9ec0213f1a6d43cc8595c63af73fa9ee&start=1249&end=1902","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5059627-9ec0213f1a6d43cc8595c63af73fa9ee/thumbnail_1249000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6188987/Wisconsin/West-Allis-West-Milwaukee-board-approves-preliminary-202526-budget-raises-fees-and-renews-insurance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188987-42c6298e681170816dad9aead6571919/orig.mp4?Expires=1775395255&Signature=mrkNhwcW39In2lFxD~jpfaZjd06Fs6KiEUIVPjliIjO~r88Fqh1HihIDeVLdUHgE1yl93pi2ModMpJkm1qVrfRN3YBekwaCk~-7m3V-xaNcs3w~64xArx0Hh~GXfikL21m7U-GaRMXNTHH7Ar2Gnw4gJa5mB1ZfVXTRReIvjMqOZlQplW2~OTGrewnac0cph-Zamp9SfDWx3fnzKE5pDPGP166EhLYdmfYqHxn3takmEbH503FvYu5GHWrxTTs7JkXtRf2EfTGGWW1GRx45ONftAtaLus9MKZCVKeo~wnEkdf~C8TRGRxdIhJrENNZfCaq9bQ3s2R4HetM0AAEp5nQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","West-Allis-West Milwaukee School District","date","2025-06-24T14:31:20Z","article","The West Allis-West Milwaukee School Board on June 23 approved a preliminary 2025–26 budget and a package of annual routine items, including continuation of the districtwide Community Eligibility Program so all students continue to receive free breakfast and lunch, a 3% annual increase to school fees and renewal of property, liability and workers' compensation insurance.

Board President Burns said the board must adopt a preliminary budget because “spending actually occurs beginning really now post approval,” and the district faces an uncertain state aid picture while the Wisconsin state budget remained unresolved. Superintendent Dr. Robinson told the board the district is planning conservatively and will “roll over what we have as what will be for next year.”

The preliminary levy the board approved is based on the district’s current aid level and other assumptions the administration labeled conservative. Finance staff said the draft levy is about $57.6 million and the administration presented a mill-rate illustration of $7.53 — “about $753 per $100,000 of value,” according to the presentation — but noted those numbers could change if the state budget or equalized property values shift.

Why it matters: the board’s vote sets spending and levy parameters that allow the district to hire, set school budgets and begin next year’s work even though state aid remains unsettled. Administrators said the district is budgeting for a $325-per-pupil state aid increase in the governor’s proposal and is modeling several downside scenarios, including an open-ended voucher cap next year that could increase private school voucher costs for districts.

Key fiscal assumptions and decisions

- State budget uncertainty: administrators repeated that the joint finance committee and the Legislature had not finalized a budget and that the district is planning off the current aid level to avoid midyear disruptions.

- Revenue assumptions: the administration used a $325 per-pupil state aid increase in examples and said special-education reimbursement effectively yields roughly 29–33% of eligible costs in current practice; they budgeted conservatively at the lower effective reimbursement rate.

- Expenses and staffing: the draft budget assumes a 9% increase for employees as part of the final year of the district’s compensation model, an assumed 15% rise in health benefit costs, and possible staff realignment via attrition. The administration said some staffing adjustments will be handled through attrition and reorganization rather than immediate layoffs.

- Referendum and bond context: Superintendent Dr. Robinson highlighted that last November voters approved two referendum questions that together enable $70 million in capital improvements and a $5.8 million operating question. The administration presented how those items and the referendum-driven fund changes factor into the mill-rate projection.

Board action items taken at the meeting

- Preliminary 2025–26 budget and tax levy: the board voted to approve the preliminary budget and levy parameters to allow the district to proceed with hiring and ordering for the coming year. The motion passed by voice vote.

- Community Eligibility Program (CEP): the board approved continuation of CEP, allowing all students to receive free breakfast and lunch. As Finance Director Norris put it during the meeting, “This allows all students to eat breakfast and lunch for free.” The administration said CEP is funded through federal fund 50 dollars and is currently implemented at no cost to the district’s general fund (fund 10).

- School fees: the board approved an annual 3% increase in school fees, the first change in 10 years. The administration presented sample dollar changes (for example, a current $40 half-day 4K fee would become $42; an elementary fee of $80 would increase to $83; high-school fees would move from $105 to about $109). The board and administration emphasized that families who qualify for free or reduced-price meals are eligible for fee reductions through direct certification or by completing district paperwork.

- District insurance renewal: the board approved renewal of district property, liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Administrators reported the renewal came in materially higher than recent years; a notable driver is the district’s insurance experience-mod (mod) rating, which rose from about 1.32 to 1.48 because of roughly 11 significant claims. Staff said the mod increase represents real dollars and that finance and HR will review claims to identify themes.

- CESA (regional cooperative) agreement and SWSA dues: the board approved the district’s annual agreement for placement seats and services with the regional educational service agency and approved membership dues for the Southeastern Wisconsin School Alliance (SWSA).

- Additional independent hearing officers: the board approved adding outside attorneys as independent hearing officers for expulsion hearings for the 2025–26 school year. The administration said the approval is annual and the attorneys named would serve as third‑party hearing officers.

What the board discussed (not decided)

Board members asked for clarifications about the phrase “reduction in staff” used in the budget presentation; administration clarified that projected staffing alignment is expected to happen through attrition and reorganization and that no immediate workforce reductions were announced at the meeting. Board members also pressed for earlier insurance and coaching documentation and sought assurances staff will return with follow-up information on health insurance renewal rates and the driver of the higher insurance mod.

Other items mentioned

- District communications: the superintendent showed a referendum kickoff video and described planned public updates and timelines for the $70 million capital program. The administration said the district will provide weekly social posts, monthly newsletters and a web timeline with progress updates.

- Recognitions: the superintendent highlighted a four‑year district program in which West Allis‑West Milwaukee school psychologists trained pediatric residents at Children’s Hospital on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), 504 plans and school supports; staff member Jesse Newmore described the program’s origins during the COVID‑19 era and said it has trained roughly 150 pediatricians.

What’s next

Administrators said they will continue to monitor the state budget through June and will return to the board with revised levy and mill‑rate estimates after final state action and after November budget refinements. Staff also agreed to provide follow-up details on insurance claims driving the experience‑mod increase and on projected costs that depend on statewide policy changes, such as the removal of the 10% private‑voucher cap.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Meeting 6-23-25","oneSentenceSummary","The West Allis-West Milwaukee School Board on June 23 approved a preliminary 2025–26 budget and a package of routine annual items, including continuation of the districtwide Community Eligibility Program so all students continue to receive free breakfast and lunch, a 3% annual increase to school fees and renewal of property, liability and workers' compensation insurance.","taxTitle","West Allis-West Milwaukee School District, School Districts, Wisconsin","taxId",38401,"location","Wisconsin","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6188981,"District reports K–3 literacy gains under AGR program; math growth lags amid implementation issues",565,2900000,3465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5059627-9ec0213f1a6d43cc8595c63af73fa9ee&start=2900&end=3465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5059627-9ec0213f1a6d43cc8595c63af73fa9ee/thumbnail_2900000.jpg","/articles/6188981/Wisconsin/District-reports-K3-literacy-gains-under-AGR-program-math-growth-lags-amid-implementation-issues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6188981-037031819528ee5180cd3a835f7b974c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775395255&Signature=a3eqnpwGpkmUQKWxow-tfjiE~~BdITgVTR7Ex73ZiUAclPX4Gn1LxOHTM~zzZe0uoYNe0hbTuWAp-yRAwvuc3~UgblO9ER7WLSd6iKzZiaee6THYFSGYZgeVPotTelUfNy1JAEHJN-CRXY-s8BKOnotiOiFO8UFpSsj5j8DKEuQH4qf6EWtaQRPg9x5SlV~czfru7OuLkrxkZfupIxU5~c9gchiJ-0m2rVnmveeKI4718SRnzr7Yz2cD8Kmqfd~816uDpNw3C7vUeN-l36cnrPKUd-RboCZqrRsp~Yg5tKqroSGoPwnmHdKza0loJ1sXQXty1LBNN0oCg~sedw92Dw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff on June 23 told the West Allis-West Milwaukee School Board that K–3 literacy growth improved this year after targeted Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) interventions, while elementary math growth dipped and will be a focus for next-year coaching and curriculum implementation work.

Lisa (staff presenter), joined by Keith Ruffalo and Cory Sec, led the leadership and learning workshop. They told the board AGR funds support three allowed strategies — instructional coaching, maintaining lower classroom ratios and one‑to‑one tutoring — and that the district uses AGR allocations differently by school depending on socioeconomic enrollment. Cory summarized the year’s progress: “This year ... in literacy, 70 percent of our students made at least one year’s growth or better,” and said math declined from about 70% to 65% meeting that same growth benchmark.

Why it matters: AGR is a five‑year state grant that requires participating schools to target a reduction in achievement gaps between low‑income students and their statewide peers. Progress in K–3 literacy suggests early grades interventions and literacy professional learning are having measurable impact; math results and reported implementation problems with the district’s adopted HMH Into Math curriculum point to a concentrated improvement plan for the coming year.

What staff reported

- AGR structure: staff described AGR as a state grant (successor to the former SAGE program) that requires annual performance objectives. District AGR funds were used for coaching, targeted small‑group ratios and 1:1 tutoring in K–3 at participating schools.

- Assessment results: administrators said overall FastBridge progress monitoring showed an increase in literacy growth compared with the prior year and a dip in math. District presenters used FastBridge fall–spring windows and restricted AGR reporting to K–3, per grant rules.

- Implementation issues in math: staff reported the district’s year‑two implementation of HMH Into Math did not align with the publisher’s intended model and that an external coach’s guidance during the first implementation year had not reflected the curriculum’s intended practices. The district said it replaced that coach, worked with HMH to course‑correct, and will deepen training and coaching in year three.

District response and next steps

Staff outlined a multi‑part plan to address the math shortfall and continue literacy gains:

- Literacy: continued rollout of LETRS (science of reading professional development), development of personal reading plans for qualifying students, and instructional coaching across elementary schools.

- Math: coaches and instructional coordinators will receive additional professional development; the district plans earlier and more frequent implementation checks, three in‑year classroom visits in the first 90 days for math adoption sites, and partnership supports (including HMH’s virtual coaching program) to accelerate correct implementation.

- System changes: the district said it is refining guaranteed and viable curriculum (GVC) work to identify priority standards, align assessments and provide clearer units of study; leadership learning and collaborative-team structures will be emphasized so principals and coaches can share effective classroom practices.

Board questions and notes

Board members asked how district assessment data and priority standards will be communicated to teachers and how classroom teams will use the data to catch curriculum gaps. Teachers and some board members emphasized the workload involved in data work and the need to limit added burdens while improving data literacy and curriculum clarity. Presenters described educator advisory groups and planned summer and August professional learning for teachers and leaders.

Presenters also agreed to provide the board with a July update on state Forward Exam results; they said initial comparisons show the district’s state exam results are broadly similar to last year but that staff will provide a detailed report later in the summer.

What the district will monitor

Administrators listed priorities for next year: continuing LETRS literacy training; implementing a clarified math instructional framework; deepening coaching and virtual coach supports for HMH Into Math; refining EMLSS (intervention) systems and schedules; and expanding professional learning opportunities across the district. The presenters said the work is intended to make instruction look, sound and feel more consistent across elementary classrooms by next year’s reporting.

Presenters

The workshop was led by district instructional and assessment staff including Lisa (presenter), Keith Ruffalo and Cory Sec; other staff speakers included instructional coordinators and building leaders who described building‑level AGR implementation.

The board had no further substantive items in the workshop before moving to the meeting’s final business.","At a June 23 leadership and learning workshop, district staff reported literacy growth in early grades following AGR-funded coaching and training, while math results declined slightly; administrators cited implementation issues with the IntoMath rollout and described steps for professional learning next year.","actionData","errors"]

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West Allis-West Milwaukee board approves preliminary 2025–26 budget, raises fees and renews insurance

District reports K–3 literacy gains under AGR program; math growth lags amid implementation issues