Sun Prairie finance director previews 2025–26 draft budget, holds $1 million for staff compensation

Phil Wright, director of business and finance for the Sun Prairie Area School District, presented the district's first draft of the 2025–26 budget in a screencast and said the plan is built on assumptions "as of June 12," adding, "nothing has been decided."

The draft balances the general fund at $162,400,000 and is based on a $325 per-pupil revenue limit increase assumption, a 6.6% ($4,000,000) increase in equalized aid and other projections that Wright said could change once the state budget is finalized. Wright emphasized the district will update the budget after the state's July and October estimates.

Why this matters: the draft affects staffing, class offerings, the levy and projected mill rate, and relies on referendum dollars approved Nov. 5 to fund expansions and pay-as-you-go capital transfers. Wright said special education costs remain a major pressure: the district plans to transfer about $19,000,000 from the general fund to cover special education expenses above state and federal reimbursements.

Wright said the district is using referendum proceeds approved by the community on Nov. 5 to finance several items: transportation for dual-language immersion (DLI) students ($100,000 estimated), expanded dual-credit…