Oshkosh Area School District approves 2025-26 budget, authorizes short-term borrowing line

The Oshkosh Area School District Board of Education approved the district's 2025-26 budget on Aug. 27, 2025, and voted to renew a short-term borrowing line of credit to cover payroll and other obligations until state aid and final property valuations are certified.

The budget presentation by Drew Neehans, the district finance staff member who led the hearing, showed an estimated total levy of just over $68 million made up of an $84 million projected state-aid figure, roughly $44 million in local tax levy under the state revenue-limit calculation, a $21.5 million referendum-approved debt levy (Fund 39) and about $2.7 million for community services. Neehans cautioned the district's numbers are preliminary and subject to change when the state certifies enrollment, property value and aid on Oct. 15.

Why it matters: the board said it needed a budget approved now so the district could short-term borrow for cash needs that arise in the gap between tax payments and the start of the fiscal year. Several board members and administrators said the plan is tight and that adjustments are likely after Oct. 15.…