Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Manitowoc board approves budget amendments, sets $29.6 million levy
Summary
The Manitowoc Public School District board approved budget amendments to close a roughly $620,000 shortfall and adopted a $29,606,534 property tax levy; board members said changes focus on Fund 10 and do not cut special education funding.
The Manitowoc Public School District Board of Education voted to amend the 2025–26 budget and approve a district property tax levy of $29,606,534 during its October meeting. The board adopted the amendments after administrators described steps taken to balance an unexpected shortfall in state aid and voucher funding.
District business manager Nate Milke told the board that updated state aid and voucher figures required a roughly $619,952 reduction to balance the general fund (Fund 10). Milke said the district did not reduce special education funding and instead offset the revenue shortfall by increasing purchase services (to cover private-school voucher payments), reducing salary expenditures within Fund 10 where possible, and trimming employee-benefit lines.
Milke said projections prepared with the district's financial advisors had anticipated about $5.6 million in voucher-related payments; the final figure came in at just above $6 million compared with roughly $5.1 million last year. He told the board that contract obligations to staff and insurance were being honored and that administrative staffing adjustments made earlier in the year reduced pressure on the budget.
The motion to adopt the budget amendments and levy was made, seconded by Board Member Christopher Abel, and approved on a voice vote. A majority of board members verbally signified assent; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.
Board members noted the levy represents roughly a 3% increase over last year’s total levy and that the district remains mindful of a planned operational referendum referenced in board discussion. The board also thanked staff in the business office — specifically naming Ed Micheler and Mary Glaha for their work on the budget — for preparing the amended figures and supporting materials.
The board did not provide a detailed vote-by-name in the public transcript. Administrators said they will begin municipal notification steps tied to the levy approval.
Votes at a glance - Motion: Amend the 2025–26 budget as presented and approve a property tax levy of $29,606,534 for the Manitowoc Public School District. Mover: (not specified in transcript). Second: Board Member Christopher Abel. Outcome: Approved (voice vote). Notes: Board adopted changes centered on Fund 10; no cuts to special education funding were made as described by administration.
What comes next Administrators will proceed with levy communications to municipalities and continue work on the district’s budget monitoring. Board members said they will continue to review budget impacts and noted public input opportunities at upcoming meetings.
