The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Board of Education adopted the 2025–26 budget and certified the associated tax levy of $101,150,743 at its Oct. 27 meeting.

Erin (district staff) reviewed the components driving the adopted budget, explaining the district’s revenue limit authority (approximately $112 million in the materials presented) and three main drivers: year 3 of the district operating referendum, the state per-pupil increase carried in the 2023–25 biennial budget, and exemptions including a declining-enrollment exemption and voucher tuition exemptions. Erin told the board the October equalization figures arrived late in the process and that the district was impacted by a lack of general equalization aid increases in the state budget, shifting more of the revenue burden to property taxes. Staff presented a projected mill rate of 8.62 and explained the distribution of tax burden across the district’s municipalities (noting reassessments and municipal valuation changes are set by local municipalities, not the school district).

Board members asked clarifying questions about the municipality-level valuation percentages and the sources of the numbers; staff said municipalities provide reassessment and equalized value figures and that the district does not set property valuations. The presentation highlighted a roughly $1.4 million voucher exemption increase (driven by higher voucher tuition amounts in the state binding budget) and a special aid adjustment that limited a larger drop in equalization aid for the district.

The board moved and seconded to adopt the proposed 2025–26 budget and certify the $101,150,743 tax levy; the motion passed by voice vote. Earlier in the meeting the board had approved the Oct. 13, 2025 regular meeting minutes and the consent agenda (which included approval of bills payable, personnel items, and acceptance of a $22,830.50 donation from the Sunset Ridge PTO for playground improvements). The board also nominated and approved Bartlett Duran as the district delegate to the Wisconsin State Education Convention (WASB convention) meeting Jan. 21.

Near the end of the open session the board moved, seconded and held a roll-call vote to enter closed session under Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(e) to review individual employee supplemental compensation and a tentative agreement with the Middleton Education Association; the roll call read by the chair recorded each voting member as affirmative. The meeting proceeded into closed session.

Provenance: Budget presentation and discussion begin at the agenda item introduced around 55:31 (transcript block ~3350) and the budget adoption vote is recorded at ~11:18 (transcript block ~4253).