Watertown School District presents preliminary $116.8 million FY26 budget; general fund down slightly from FY25
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Summary
District staff presented the proposed FY25–26 budget totaling $116,846,196, noted decreases in capital outlay and LATC construction spending, and projected enrollment of 3,460 students; the board scheduled a public hearing for July 14.
Watertown School District 14-4 administration presented a preliminary budget of $116,846,196 for the 2025–26 school year during the board’s May 13 meeting. The document, which the administration said was reviewed in detail at a May 1 budget work session, shows an overall decline of 10.91% from the previous year driven primarily by reduced capital-outlay spending and completion of major LATC construction projects.
The administration reported that capital outlay decreased 53.52% year over year as the athletic complex and related construction moved from active construction to completion. Lake Area Technical College (LATC) spending was presented as 46% of the overall district budget at $53,900,000 across funds, with LATC operating budgets decreasing about 12.28% as a portion of the district total because much of the archway construction is complete.
The proposed general fund for K–12 operations was presented at $31,900,000, a 2.33% decrease from the prior year. The presentation indicated revenue composition for the general fund roughly as 43% local, 44% state, and 4% federal, with about 9% reflected as use of cash on hand and capital outlay transfers. The administration projected enrollment at 3,460 students for FY26.
Personnel costs continue to dominate the proposed budget: salaries and benefits were reported to represent approximately 84% of the general fund budget and 92% of the special-education fund budget. The administration noted a 1.25% salary/benefit increase in the LATC payroll lines to reflect the state funding adjustment; full wage data for graduates (workforce wage validation tied to Department of Labor and Regulation) was said to be pending verification and to be released at the state board of technical education meeting.
The board set the public budget hearing for July 14 at 5 p.m., at which the district will take public comment and consider adoption of a final FY26 budget.
Ending: Administration will post the full preliminary budget to the district website and return to the board for the July public hearing and final adoption.