New Berlin Board Approves $46.6 Million Budget, $46.62 Million Tax Levy; Adopts Revised Anti‑Harassment Policy

The New Berlin School District Board of Education on Monday approved the district's original 2025'26 budget and a $46,620,846 property tax levy that includes $6 million for capital expansion projects.

Board members voted to adopt the original budget after administrators said the levy and mill rate changes reflect two factors beyond local control: referendums passedby other (larger) districts that affect local taxpayers through the state funding formula, and a legislated local revenue‑limit increase that the state did not fund. Board members recorded that the final mill rate reflected a modest increase; administrators said that works out to roughly $60 more per year for a $350,000 home under the new levy.

Why it matters: the levy and budget set the district's operating resources for schools, staffing and capital priorities. Trustees said they plan to continue asking the Legislature to change how referendum dollars are spread across districts so local taxpayers are not subsidizing votes outside their community.

Votes at a glance - Original 2025'26 budget: Approved. Motion by Mr. Seidel; second by Mr. Helmer; outcome: approved. (Motion recorded on the record.) - Property tax levy 2025'26: Approved, $46,620,846 including $6,000,000 for capital expansion. Motion by Mr. Seidel; second by Mr. Helmer; outcome: approved. - Policy 5517 (student anti‑harassment), second reading: Approved with legal revisions (removal of the word "vigorously" and recommended edits). Motion by Ms. Spindler; second by Ms. Crosby; outcome: approved. - Employment‑services report (action reported from closed session): Approved. Motion by Ms. Spindler; second by Ms. Crosby; outcome: approved.

Board discussion and context Administrators and legal counsel told the board the recommended changes to Policy 5517 were technical and intended to align the district's language with counsel guidance; the board approved the edits and asked staff to present a broader technical update to district policies at the January meeting.

Superintendent and finance staff walked trustees through the final levy math and the two primary drivers of the local increase: (1) the way state law spreads the impact of large district referendums and (2) a state revenue‑limit adjustment that was not accompanied by additional state aid. The board said it will continue advocacy with legislators on the funding formula.

What's next Staff will post the certified levy and complete the required municipal filings. The board's next regular meeting is Nov. 10; the board also plans a single meeting in December on Dec. 8.

Ending note: The board approved several routine items during the meeting, including the consent agenda and the employment‑services report arising from closed session. The board adjourned after confirming the December and November schedule.