Madison board adopts $668 million 2025–26 budget and certifies $478.6 million tax levy amid public testimony

The Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education voted Oct. 27 to adopt the 2025–26 budget and to certify the all-funds tax levy after public testimony and a budget presentation by district staff.

The board approved the budget as presented, which lists total revenues for all funds, net of interfund transfers, of $668,028,341 and total expenditures of $678,137,958. The board also certified a total all-funds tax levy of $478,618,790; the levy includes $403,057,004 for the general fund and $49,797,206 for referendum-approved debt service tied to the voter-approved facility referendum.

During a line-by-line discussion finance staff said the $81.1 million increase in the levy is driven primarily by a 19.5% decrease in general school aids, the first-year annualized debt service from last year's $507 million referendum, and rising personnel costs for wages and health benefits. "A large part of that levy increase is directly related to the 19.5% decrease in general school aids," the finance director said, and added the referendum adds about $30.1 million in annual debt service obligations.

Board members asked for clarifications about enrollment, special education reimbursements, and partnerships. Administration said the district's enrollment change is marginal for revenue purposes and that recent state budget actions increased special education categorical aid reimbursement targets but that final reimbursement rates depend on state appropriation and final reporting.

The budget motion passed 6–1; board member VanderMeelen explained she could not support the budget because it did not include an immediate remedy for salary compression that teachers had raised in public comment. The tax levy certification also passed 6–1.

In roll-call and procedural items that preceded the vote, the board approved prior minutes and a packaged consent agenda unanimously, heard proclamations and recognitions, and received a superintendent report on partnerships, after-school programs and advocacy work. The board scheduled further operations work group review of salary compression findings and directed administration to bring additional analysis to internal workgroups.

The adopted budget funds staff compensation increases, additional 4‑K sections, custodial staff to maintain renovated high schools, and investments tied to the referendum projects. Administration said it would continue monitoring special education reimbursements, partnership funding and enrollment changes during the fiscal year.

Vote details: the motion to adopt the budget and the motion to certify the levy each passed 6–1; the one documented no vote came from board member VanderMeelen. Student Representative Lee cast an advisory "Aye."