Muskego‑Norway electors approve $34.97 million levy, $750,000 capital fund and set board pay

MUSKEGO, Wis. — Electors at the Muskego‑Norway School District annual meeting on Oct. 20 approved the district’s preliminary 2025–26 tax levy of $34,968,785 and a $750,000 capital expansion fund for facility projects.

The levies as presented break down to a $27,992,672 general fund levy for operations, $6,211,113 for debt service tied to past referendums, $750,000 for the capital expansion fund (Fund 41) and $15,000 for community services. The board described the levy as preliminary; final levy numbers will be set at a subsequent board meeting. Treasurer statements in the meeting packet showed an unaudited year‑end general fund balance of $14,172,147.12.

Why it matters: the levy funds day‑to‑day operations, debt service on prior referendums and capital projects. District leaders told electors the state’s revenue‑limit structure and changes in equalized property valuation are shifting how much of the district’s budget must be covered by local taxes rather than state aid.

Key motions and outcomes

- Capital expansion fund (Fund 41): Electors approved a $750,000 levy to maintain a capital expansion fund for financing capital expenditures at district buildings and sites. The motion was moved and seconded from the floor and passed by voice vote. (Resolution text read at the meeting.)

- Approval of the 2025–26 tax levy: Electors approved a combined levy of $34,968,785 (general operations $27,992,672; debt service $6,211,113; capital expansion $750,000; community service $15,000). Motion carried by voice vote; mover identified in the record as Brad Hyde and seconded from the floor.

- Board member salaries: An elector’s motion set board member salaries at $6,029 for regular members and $7,077 for the president for the 2025–26 school year. After public discussion, the motion passed by voice/hand vote with seven in favor and one opposed.

- Other administrative authorizations: Electors authorized payment of actual and necessary expenses for board members traveling outside the district while performing duties; they authorized the board to set the date and time of the next annual meeting (to be held between May 15 and Oct. 31, 2026, in accordance with Wis. Stat. §120.08); and they authorized disposal of surplus equipment per board policy. All motions passed by voice vote.

What electors heard about the numbers

District staff explained that the district operates within state revenue limits, that state aid for the current biennium did not increase, and that equalized property valuation changes reduced the district’s state aid share. Staff noted declining resident enrollment (a net decline of roughly 58 FTEs in 2024–25 and additional changes in the current budget cycle) and described open‑enrollment and expanded summer school minutes as partial mitigations. The business manager and treasurer reviewed debt schedules tied to the 2016 and 2022 referendums and said the board has used available fund balance to defease portions of debt to lower future interest costs.

Votes at a glance

- Capital expansion fund 41 levy — Approved (voice vote). - 2025–26 total tax levy $34,968,785 — Approved (mover: Brad Hyde; second: Deb; voice vote). - Board member salaries (regular members $6,029; president $7,077) — Approved (7 yes, 1 no). - Payment of actual and necessary expenses for board members — Approved (voice vote). - Board authority to set 2026 annual meeting date/time — Approved (voice vote). - Disposal of surplus property per policy — Approved (voice vote).

What was not decided or remains to come

District staff emphasized that the levy numbers presented to electors were preliminary and that final levy certification and any required budget adjustments will be handled by the school board at its upcoming meetings. Electors asked about percentage participation rates for staff and family surveys mentioned elsewhere in the meeting; staff said some participation counts were presented as raw counts rather than percentages and that percentage calculations could be added in future presentations.

The meeting concluded with routine adjournment following the electors’ votes.