Middleton‑Cross Plains previews 2025–26 budget, adopts preliminary levies and policies; says property taxes likely to rise

The Middleton‑Cross Plains Area School District reviewed its preliminary 2025–26 budget at its annual budget hearing Sept. 15 and adopted a set of annual‑meeting resolutions, while officials warned that state funding decisions make a local property tax increase likely.

District staff presented preliminary figures showing an estimated revenue‑limit increase of $325 per pupil under the state biennium budget and a projected operational revenue limit of $112,094,498 for 2025–26. The district’s total budget across funds was described as “over $161,000,000,” with salary and benefit expenses accounting for nearly 84% of operational expenditures and property tax making up more than 68% of the district’s projected operational revenue.

Why it matters: The district said the state biennium budget provided a per‑pupil revenue‑limit increase but no increase in equalization aid, a combination the district said will likely raise local property taxes. The board adopted a tax levy and multiple annual‑meeting resolutions that set policy and parameters for the coming year.

District officials cautioned that three key data points remain unresolved before a final budget can be adopted: certified third‑Friday enrollment (late September), certified district equalized property values (around Oct. 1), and Department of Public Instruction (DPI) general aid…