Milwaukee board approves FY26 fall budget adjustments, including $2M for extracurriculars and 2.95% levy increase

The Milwaukee Board of School Directors on Oct. 28 approved administration's fall adjustments to the adopted FY26 budget, adopting resolutions for the school operations, extension and construction funds by unanimous 8-0 votes.

Superintendent Brenda Cassellius opened the meeting and presented the administration's recommended fall changes, saying the adjustments reflect "a few key factors" including higher state aid and special education funds. She told the board the amended budget reduces the vacancy adjustment by about $22 million, trims roughly $11 million in expenses tied to lower enrollment and results in 54 fewer full-time-equivalent positions "but it should be noted there are no layoffs."

The administration said revenues are up about $52 million overall: roughly $20 million in increased special-education funding under the new state budget and about $32 million in state aid, a change the presentation tied in part to voter approval of a recent referendum. The administration recommended a 2.95% increase in the district's property tax levy; officials said that…