Waunakee board approves fourth draft of 2025 budget, sets revised tax levy

The Waunakee Community School District board approved the fourth draft of the 2025 budget and the tax levy as presented at a special meeting on Oct. 30, 2024. The motion passed by roll call; four members voted yes and two were recorded absent.

Administrators presented a revised levy that reduces a previously projected 10.4% increase back to the dollar amount underlying the board—s July plan (5.97%, shown as 6% in the presentation). "We are in a position where utilizing one or more of those strategies would allow us to get that property tax levy back to a more manageable number," said Steve (staff member), summarizing the administration—s approach.

Why it matters: district officials said the district faces a mix of enrollment declines and state budget impacts that together increased pressure on local revenues. The presenter told the board the district—s student…