Waunakee board backs path to keep Community Cares solvent, authorizes hiring steps for 2026–27
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Summary
The Waunakee Community School District board approved a budget committee recommendation to require the Waunakee Community Cares Coalition (WCCC) to use $28,000 remaining in the district Fund 21 grant account before the district provides partial funding, and authorized beginning hiring for five FTE positions to prepare for 2026–27 operations.
Waunakee Community School District trustees voted to adopt a budget committee recommendation aimed at keeping the Waunakee Community Cares Coalition (WCCC) solvent while limiting district exposure.
Speaker 14, who presented the budget committee finding, said the district had received legal guidance that federal grant funds could be claimed through the end of January and noted that $28,000 remains in the district’s Fund 21 gift/donation account. “The recommendation from the budget committee was to utilize and request that Waunakee Community Cares Coalition utilize the $28,000 that are remaining in our Fund 21 account,” Speaker 14 said. Board members approved that approach by voice vote.
Under the approved option, WCCC must first use the remaining state/grant funds in Fund 21; the district would provide partial funding for any remaining four‑month gap only after those funds are exhausted. Trustees framed the action as a bridge to allow WCCC leadership to continue seeking permanent funding from other local governments and community partners.
The board separately authorized administration to begin hiring five full‑time equivalent (FTE) positions in planning for 2026–27. The request included two custodial FTEs to staff the new middle school, one full‑time security position for the existing middle school campus, and two instructional FTEs for middle‑school grade‑level needs. Speaker 14 explained that hiring now would help the district staff the new middle school when it opens in late May and support summer school operations; the motion passed by voice vote.
The vote did not appropriate a specific additional dollar figure for district support beyond the Fund 21 directive; board members said further details about remaining costs and funding sources would be provided as budget planning continues.
What’s next: WCCC was advised to seek additional local funding and to return with updated fiscal information. The district’s budget committee and administration will continue to refine cost estimates tied to the five FTE positions during the normal budget process.