Appleton Area School District proposes $336 million 2024–25 budget, cites $11M structural deficit and lower mill rate

The Appleton Area School District on Tuesday held a public hearing to present its proposed 2024–25 budget, which officials said would increase total spending to about $336 million and include more than $65 million in construction costs tied to a voter-approved referendum.

Kayla, the district presenter, said the district projects general fund revenues of roughly $214.4 million and general fund expenditures of about $225.3 million, producing a budget gap of approximately $10.9 million for 2024–25. Of that gap, staff described roughly $8.5 million as structural — an ongoing shortfall — and about $2.4 million as one-time costs. The district plans to use available fund balance to cover the deficit this year.

The presentation noted the district closed 2023–24 with a total fund balance just over $54.1 million, of which nearly $39 million is reserved or assigned for specific purposes (health plan costs, carryover for schools and departments, and cash-flow reserves), leaving about $15.3 million unassigned and available.

Officials said increases in state equalization aid tied to the state biennium budget will help lower the district’s property tax levy. Kayla said the…