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Board to defer staff step advancements until state budget is final; motion to be presented next week
Summary
Superintendent and finance staff asked the board to hold advancement of staff on the salary schedule (steps) pending final passage of the 2027 Wisconsin state budget; the board directed staff to bring a motion for consideration next Monday and discussed retroactive pay if a budget provides new funding.
Vicki (staff) told the board she asked the board to pause advancing staff on the district's salary step schedule until the 2027 Wisconsin state budget is passed, signed and effective. She described the action as administrative timing rather than a permanent change and said the pause itself does not require a board motion but the steps do.
Why it matters: the board and staff framed the request as part of a broader effort to avoid committing increased pay before the state revenue picture is clear; the district faces a projected $10 million to $12 million operational shortfall for 2025-26 and is tracking a potential $16 million additional gap when a referendum expires in 2026.
Board discussion and direction
Vicki presented draft motion language: "Upon the passage, signing, and effective date of the 2027 Wisconsin state budget, the district shall bring a recommendation to the Board of Education regarding the advancement of staff on salary schedules as presented." She said staff would seek to call a special meeting to act quickly once the state budget is final and that staff would provide backpay to employees if steps are approved retroactively.
Board members voiced mixed reactions. Andrew said delaying steps "is new" and warned about morale effects even if payments were later made retroactively. James and others said they supported waiting for the state budget to avoid spending money that might not arrive and to keep all options on the table when the full revenue picture is known. Lynn Gerlach reminded members that the board is not voting on the motion that night and that the item would return next week.
Next steps
The board did not vote. Staff were asked to present the motion at the next Monday meeting with the expectation members would consider the motion then; staff said they would provide recommendation language and prepare for possible special meetings to act quickly if the state budget passes.
