Waunakee budget committee advances first draft of 2025-26 budget built on state aid assumptions

The Waunakee Community School District Budget Committee voted May 5 to forward a first draft of the 2025–26 budget to the full school board for review, saying the draft is built on assumptions about the state budget that remain unsettled.

The draft includes an assumed $3.25 per‑pupil increase in the state revenue‑limit formula, a 0‑dollar per‑pupil increase for categorical aid, a 2.95 percent CPI adjustment, and district compensation increases; it also factors in a 5 percent increase for district‑paid health insurance, 5 percent increases for utilities and transportation, and 0 percent dental increases. “We still don't have the state budget yet,” Ally, a district staff member, said. “So the first draft is built on assumptions.”

Committee members said the draft is intentionally conservative while the Legislature completes its work. “Until the state budget process is completed, we're just making assumptions on things like what type of state equalization aid we are receiving,” Steve, a district staff member, said, noting the tax levy page on the draft relies on those estimates. Mark, a committee member, told colleagues that roughly half of the $3.25 per‑pupil increase would likely be borne by local taxpayers if the assumed funding materializes — approximately $750,000 under current estimates.

Key items included in the draft

- Compensation and benefits: The draft includes proposed pay increases and the district compensation system implementation; administrators…