Madison School Board approves $67.59 million budget after rejecting $5,000 AP prep cut
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Summary
After a lengthy debate over a proposed $5,000 cut to AP test-prep funding, the Madison School District Board of Education approved a $67,589,794 2026–27 budget (a 4.24% increase). The amendment to reduce the AP line failed 2–6–1; the full budget passed with seven in favor and two abstentions.
The Madison School District Board of Education on Jan. 30 approved the superintendent’s recommended 2026–27 budget of $67,589,794, representing a 4.24% increase in spending over the prior year. The board rejected an amendment to reduce the AP test-preparation line by $5,000 before voting to adopt the budget as presented.
Board member Diane, who proposed the amendment, urged a modest reduction to demonstrate fiscal restraint and cited historical under‑utilization of the AP-prep allocation. “I am asking for a $5,000 cut in the budget line to remove that $5,000 from the AP,” Diane said, noting previous years’ unused balances in that account.
Supporters of retaining the full $15,000 in the AP-prep line argued the program has delivered meaningful results and that the district needs some budgeted flexibility to accommodate late spring demand. “We never would set up to go over,” Superintendent Dr. Cook said in describing the administration’s budgeting approach and its aim to avoid special appropriations midyear; Dr. Cook and other board members warned that cutting the line could force last-minute transfers if demand unexpectedly rose.
The board voted on the amendment first; the motion to reduce the AP line by $5,000 failed on a voice/count vote recorded as 2 in favor, 6 opposed and 1 abstention. The board then voted to approve the superintendent’s full recommended budget; after a short counting confusion the chair recorded the final tally as seven in favor and two abstentions and declared the motion carried.
Members discussed larger budgetary context during the debate, including that roughly 3.75 percentage points of the proposed increase reflected contractual obligations and about 1.83 percentage points were driven by higher health-insurance costs. Board member speakers also pointed to past returns to the district’s non‑lapsing funds (historically in the $120,000–$200,000 range) as part of the broader fiscal discussion.
Votes at a glance: - Amendment to cut $5,000 from AP test-prep: failed, 2–6–1 (aye–nay–abstain). - 2026–27 recommended budget: approved, final tally recorded as 7 in favor, 0 opposed, 2 abstentions.
The board recorded the approval and moved on to other routine business, including an international trip and curriculum approvals. The budget will move forward to subsequent town processes as required.