Rice Lake board approves preliminary 2025-26 budget and transportation rate increase

The Rice Lake Area School District board on Monday approved a preliminary budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year and voted to raise bus transportation rates, following a staff presentation that flagged several state and federal funding uncertainties.

Colleen, a district staff member who presented the budget, described Fund 10 as a preliminary plan and said the district is still watching state budget negotiations and potential federal Medicaid changes that could affect revenue and transfers. She identified special-education Fund 27 as a key pressure point, noting the transfer to Fund 27 was projected to rise from about 3,500,000 to about 3,700,000 in the coming year. The presenter also separated facility project costs (turf field, conservancy and pool) into other funds and said those items would not be covered by Fund 10 operating dollars.

Board members discussed the operational deficit shown in Fund 10 and asked about an $8.50 figure referenced in the presentation; staff said the audit this summer will clarify that amount. After brief discussion, Speaker 3 moved to approve the 2025-26 preliminary budget; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Separately, the finance committee reported the bus garage vendor requested a 4% increase in transportation rates. The committee recommended the increase as reasonable given route adjustments; the board approved the 2025-26 transportation rates by voice vote.

The board conducted several other routine approvals during the meeting, including the June 9 minutes and a consent agenda that listed personnel items and WIAA membership renewal. No recorded roll-call dissents were made on these items.

What’s next: staff said the final budget will be refined after the state budget is settled and after the summer audit provides additional clarity on identified figures.