McFarland board approves budget changes, wrestling co‑ops and transfers in unanimous votes

The McFarland School District Board voted unanimously on several action items, including budget updates for the 2025–26 school year, renewal of WIAA cooperative wrestling agreements with Monona Grove and approval of recommended student transfers from virtual providers due to lack of engagement.

Budget changes: The board approved a set of budget adjustments for the 2025–26 school year "as recommended by administration." Board discussion noted that estimated property tax collections are roughly $70,000 higher than previous July 1 estimates because state aid came in lower than earlier projections. Administrators also told the board that independent charter expenses — funds collected locally and forwarded to charter operators — were reduced in the update from about $263,000 to $230,000. Motion outcome: approved, vote 5‑0.

WIAA cooperative teams: The board approved continuing cooperative sponsorships with Monona Grove School District for both girls and boys wrestling. For the girls' cooperative the motion covered the 2026–27 and 2027–28 school years as presented by administration; board members reported two participating McFarland girls. For the boys' cooperative the board approved continuation as well; board members reported 11 McFarland boys participating. Both motions passed 5‑0.

Virtual‑school transfers: The board approved recommended transfers of students from WEBA Destinations Career Academy and Insight School of Wisconsin back to their resident districts, citing "lack of engagement" in the provided motion language. Administrators said the list for this round was short and included one first grader, one fourth grader and two fifth graders, with additional students at high school ages. Motion outcome: approved, vote 5‑0.

All votes carried with five yes votes and no opposing votes recorded. No board member votes were recorded as absent or recused for these items.

Votes at a glance (motions and outcomes): - Approve 2025–26 budget changes (motion as read by administration); mover/second not specified in transcript; outcome: approved, yes 5, no 0. - Approve WIAA Girls Wrestling Cooperative sponsorship with Monona Grove (for 2026–27 and 2027–28); mover/second not specified; outcome: approved, yes 5, no 0; McFarland reported 2 girls participating. - Approve WIAA Boys Wrestling Cooperative sponsorship with Monona Grove; mover/second not specified; outcome: approved, yes 5, no 0; McFarland reported 11 boys participating. - Approve recommended student transfers from WEBA Destinations Career Academy and Insight School of Wisconsin back to resident districts for lack of engagement; mover/second not specified; outcome: approved, yes 5, no 0; listed students included 1 first grader, 1 fourth grader and 2 fifth graders plus high‑school‑age students.

Why this matters: the budget update adjusts local tax and charter pass‑through estimates ahead of final state aid figures, the wrestling co‑ops sustain extracurricular opportunities for small programs, and the transfers reflect efforts to address student engagement in virtual providers.