The New Berlin School District held its Annual Meeting and Budget Hearing on September 22, 2025, focusing on key financial and operational updates. The meeting provided insights into the district's grant-seeking efforts and financial standing.

One significant discussion centered on the district's approach to securing grants. Currently, the district employs one individual from the Education Foundation of New Berlin who actively seeks out state and federal grants. This position has been in place for several years, but concerns were raised about the limited capacity for grant writing. The district's demographics affect its eligibility for many grants, making it challenging to compete with larger districts like Milwaukee Public Schools, which have different demographic profiles. The administration indicated that they believe the current staffing level for grant writing is appropriate given these constraints, although suggestions were made to explore additional corporate grants, particularly for high school programs.

Another topic addressed was the district's credit rating, which currently stands at a Moody's rating of Aa1. While this rating is commendable, it is not the highest possible. The administration acknowledged the difficulty in achieving top ratings due to the nature of school funding and operations. They expressed a commitment to continue advocating for improved ratings in future discussions with Moody's.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for further questions and communication, emphasizing the district's openness to ongoing dialogue with community members. Overall, the session highlighted the district's financial strategies and the challenges it faces in securing funding through grants.