Waunakee school board outlines 2025–26 budget, sets $49,000,463 tax levy and approves routine resolutions

The Waunakee Community School District presented its third draft budget for the 2025–26 school year and approved a series of routine resolutions at its annual meeting, including a motion to levy $49,000,463 for the coming year.

Ally, a finance staff member who presented the budget, said, "the third draft was approved by the school board in July. This budget was based on the governor's 2025 to 2027 state budget. It did include a tax levy of $49,000,000 and then an equalized property value increase of 5%. The tax rate that we calculated at that time was $9.35." She later summarized the district’s estimates for state aid, enrollment and contingency.

The draft assumes a 5% increase in equalized property value and an estimated tax rate of $9.35 per $1,000 of equalized value. The district’s estimated student count in the July third draft was 4,429; more recent data from the registrar, Julie, shows fall enrollment trending lower, with a current estimate near 4,382. Ally said the district budgeted an 18‑student increase in the third draft but that updated counts were lower than estimated.

The presenter and school finance staff described components that affect the draft: a state revenue cap change (an increase the presenter described as $325 per student in the state budget), recurring portions of the November 2024 referendum that add $8.1 million and $500,000 in recurring revenue, and a nonrecurring referendum portion of $1,050,000. The presenter also said special education aid in the state budget rose substantially and that the district estimates roughly $825,000 in additional special education aid for 2025–26; under the state school financing system, increases or decreases in special education aid are offset by transfers between funds.

Steve, a staff member who addressed long‑term planning, reminded the audience that one portion of the November 2024 operational referendum is nonrecurring and will affect planning beyond 2027–28. He said the board's long‑term options to align revenues and expenses include expenditure reductions, further operational referendum consideration, or other strategies to address higher costs for compensation, transportation, utilities and insurance.

The district reported changes in fund balances for the prior year: the general fund (Fund 10) ended with no change in fund balance, special project funds (Fund 20) increased by about $111,000, debt service decreased by approximately $220,932, capital projects increased by about $5.34 million, employee trust rose by about $396,186, and the community service fund rose by about $6,184. The presenter said contingency was raised from $100,000 to $200,000 — the first increase in that account in more than 25 years.

Officials noted the debt service levy for the coming year is estimated at $10.9 million and that refinancing or defeasance could be considered as a strategy to lower the overall tax levy. The district will receive final equalized property values from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue on Oct. 1; officials said the school board will adopt a final budget and levy at a special board meeting on Oct. 30 after final state aid and property value figures are available.

Votes at a glance

- Elect meeting chair: Joe Henson — nominated and accepted; chair presided for the meeting. Outcome: approved by voice vote (no opposition recorded). Mover/Second: not specified in record.

- Resolution authorizing assessment of student fees: Mover: Brian Gavarski; Second: Tim Shell. Outcome: approved by voice vote (no opposition recorded).

- Resolution setting board member salaries (in line with CPI): Mover: Michelle (surname not specified); Second: Dean (surname not specified). Motion set president/treasurer and board member amounts presented during the meeting. Outcome: approved by voice vote (no opposition recorded).

- Resolution authorizing the district to provide or contract for school lunches: Second by Diane Webster. Outcome: approved by voice vote (no opposition recorded).

- Resolution authorizing the board to seek legal counsel as needed during the school year: Mover/Second not specified. Outcome: approved by voice vote (no opposition recorded).

- Resolution granting authority to set the next annual meeting date: Mover: Dean Beckford; Second: Lester (surname not specified). Outcome: approved by voice vote (no opposition recorded).

- Resolution authorizing purchase/operation/contracting of student transportation: Mover/Second not specified. Outcome: approved by voice vote (no opposition recorded).

- Resolution setting the 2025–26 school tax levy at $49,000,463 (motion by Brian Gavarski): Outcome: approved by voice vote (no opposition recorded).

Why this matters

The draft budget and the levy figure presented at the annual meeting set the fiscal framework the school board will refine before final adoption. Changes in state aid, the nonrecurring portion of the 2024 referendum, enrollment shifts and possible debt strategies were identified by staff as the primary drivers that could change the final levy or budget between August and the Oct. 30 adoption.

What’s next

Staff said the district will incorporate the Sept. 19 pupil count, final state aid numbers and the Oct. 1 equalized property value certification into the final budget. The school board scheduled a special meeting on Oct. 30 to approve the final budget and levy for 2025–26.

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