Port Washington-Saukville leaders outline $1.2 million gap, propose staffing adjustments including related-arts reductions

The Port Washington-Saukville School District told the board it is facing a projected $1,200,000 budget shortfall for the 2025–26 school year and presented a package of staffing and benefit changes intended to close the gap.

Superintendent Michael McMahon said the deficit "did not come as a surprise" and that administrators have identified cost-saving measures ranging from energy-use changes to staffing adjustments. He explained that about "83 to 84% of our budget [is] allocated to salaries and benefits," and said the district is pursuing a mix of short- and longer-term steps to balance the budget.

The superintendent and principals described specific staffing proposals the district is using to model a balanced budget: a net reduction of six elementary classroom teachers across the district (4K–4), and adjustments to related-arts full-time equivalencies (FTEs) that administration projects will save approximately $96,000. Under the draft plan shared with the…