Waunakee administrators urge prompt community engagement on 4K options as state deadline approaches

Administrators told the Waunakee Community School District board that decisions about the 4K program will require rapid engagement with partner centers and could have more than a $1 million budget impact for the district.

"For the school district, there's no question it's more than a million dollar decision," said Steve (staff member), summarizing the district—s estimate for typical 4K enrollment (the district said it is typically in the roughly 240‑student range). Staff said the state budget created a Feb. 1 timeline for centers to notify the state whether they will partner with the state program or continue to work with the district.

What happened: staff recounted recent meetings with current 4K partner centers to share the state-budget details and to answer questions from providers. Administrators said they intend to share the scenarios and options the budget committee reviews and to be transparent with centers about financial impacts for both the centers and the district.

Administrators outlined a planning sequence: the budget committee will review 4K options at an upcoming meeting next Friday; the board will receive an informational update at the November board meeting; and a December board meeting could include a decision about the district—s 4K approach. Staff also identified public outreach events, including a Nov. 19 school‑funding presentation, and said recordings of budget-committee meetings typically post within 24 hours for those who cannot attend.

Why it matters: the district said the centers face business implications from the state—s timeline, and the board—s direction could materially affect center operations and the district budget. Administrators said they will present multiple 4K scenarios (minimal, moderate, and aggressive) to show tradeoffs and that the centric decisions are "mutually inclusive" with other fiscal choices, including levy strategy and referendum funds.

Next steps: staff said they will continue direct outreach to centers, present 4K options to the budget committee, and bring a recommended option to the board for consideration in December or at a time the board designates.