Superintendent presents recommended 2025–26 budget; board hears curriculum and facilities updates

Superintendent Dr. Cook presented the administration’s recommended 2025–26 operating budget to the Madison Public Schools Board of Education and highlighted staffing changes, program additions and projected cost drivers.

The recommended budget reflects personnel and benefits as the largest share of operating costs and a modest overall increase. Dr. Cook told the board the request would result in a small percentage increase over the current year and repeatedly cited health insurance experience as a favorable factor that reduced pressure on the overall request. The superintendent summarized proposed additions and reductions in staffing and programming and said full budget documents and the presentation are posted online.

Key items Dr. Cook and finance director Stacy Novick described: - Personnel and benefits: The administration said approximately 75–80% of the operating budget is personnel and benefits. A contract settlement for teachers and health insurance assumptions were the major drivers described. - Additions: an elementary assistant principal (reorganization), a preschool teacher, two additional elementary teachers and a special education coordinator position to balance district needs. - Reductions:…