Rice Lake Area School District board approves consent agenda, lease amendment and advances budget to hearing

The Rice Lake Area School District board on Oct. 13 approved routine minutes and a consent agenda that included monthly budget reconciliation, two resignations and eight employment recommendations, and cleared a first amendment to the Boys & Girls Club occupancy and use agreement.

During the finance committee update, members said the committee approved the draft 2025–26 budget and will present it at the district budget hearing. Committee members noted recent federal and state funding increases but said the district still expects to operate “in the red,” though not as severely as previously projected. The committee also approved a resolution to set the mill rate for the budget adoption hearing, designated fund balance in Fund 80 for future pool repairs and maintenance, and adopted a pool fees schedule and a “scholarship fee” (a discounted pass program) required by federal new market tax credit rules.

The board approved a first amendment to the Boys & Girls Club occupancy and use agreement after the finance committee recommended several amendments. The motion to approve the first amendment was made and seconded and carried by voice vote as recorded in the meeting.

No roll-call vote totals or named movers/seconders for the minutes, consent agenda or lease amendment appear in the public transcript; the meeting recorded motions, seconding and voice votes. The board chair said further budget details will be presented at the upcoming budget hearing.