Waunakee committee advances preliminary 2025–26 budget plan; flags insurance, compensation, OPEB and transportation app

The Waunakee Community School District budget committee on March 5 moved the district’s preliminary 2025–26 budget planning document to the full school board for approval next Monday after discussion of health insurance renewal, compensation planning tied to the November 2022 referendum, post‑employment benefits (OPEB) and a proposed parent bus‑tracking app.

The committee’s motion to advance the planning document was approved during the meeting after staff presentations and discussion. Allie, district budget staff, told the committee, “Nothing has changed in the document from last month. So this month, we would just be looking for approval to take [it] in the full board next Monday.”

Why it matters: The preliminary plan sets priorities that the board and administration say they will align with outcomes from the HR and facilities committees, forthcoming health‑insurance proposals and state budget changes. Several items discussed—health‑insurance premium increases, multi‑year compensation steps from the referendum and shifting OPEB funding—could affect the district’s operating fund and staff pay decisions for 2025–26.

Health insurance and compensation

District staff said responses to the district’s insurance vendor requests were due to the district insurance committee and HR committee in the days after the meeting. Steve, district administrator, said the plan currently assumes an approximate 5% district investment increase in health insurance year over year —…