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Wausau School District projects $1.48M deficit while adopting 2024–25 levies
Summary
At its annual meeting, the Wausau School District presented a State of the District and adopted a set of levies that together produce a $7.41 mill rate for 2024–25. District leaders said a $1,480,000 operating deficit will be covered from fund balance this year but could recur without further action.
The Wausau School District on Tuesday presented a state‑of‑the‑district message and adopted its 2024–25 tax levies as officials described ongoing budget pressures and capital work across the district.
Mister Bushman, who delivered the State of the District address, said staff–student–community relationships and student achievement remain strengths while finances and staffing present the district’s largest challenges. "We have room to grow and that we're always searching to get better," Bushman said, and later noted the district projects a $1,480,000 deficit for the 2024–25 school year that will be absorbed from fund balance this year.
Assistant Superintendent of Operations Josh Vigoot provided the budget briefing and said the district’s per‑pupil revenue limit is $12,530 for 2024–25, with general state aid accounting for $9,676 of that amount. Vigoot said roughly 77% of the district’s general fund revenue this year comes from state aid. He warned that, despite a per‑pupil increase and higher property values, the district faces an overall revenue decrease and continuing inflation pressure: "This year alone, we are short over $11,000,000 compared to inflation," he said, adding that the district has missed more than $46,000,000 relative to inflation over the past 13 years.
Vigoot also reviewed capital projects tied to a community referendum: leaders thanked voters for a $120,000,000 referendum that funded work at John Muir, Wausau West, Forest/John Muir site improvements and other projects. He said additional projects remain under way, including construction starting at Horace Mann and continued improvements to high‑school athletic fields.
On revenues and expenditures, Vigoot reported total revenues of $117,141,590 and total general‑fund expenditures of $118,625,616, with salaries and benefits representing nearly $92,000,000 (about 77% of expenditures). He said grants remain significant this year — roughly $6,000,000 in the general fund and $2,000,000 in the special education fund — even as some federal pandemic‑era funding has ended.
The board adopted the district’s levies by voice vote. The general fund levy was set at $20,597,589, the community service fund levy at $792,200 (an increase driven in part by school resource officer program funding up to $270,000), and the debt service levy at $24,373,765. Vigoot summarized the results as a total mill rate of $7.41 for 2024–25 and a total levy decrease of 7.72% compared with the prior year.
Audience members asked how rising property values affect taxes; Vigoot explained that, all else equal, higher property values lower the mill rate but actual tax bills depend on the levy the district adopts and state equalization aid final certifications, which are expected before the board adopts a final budget in October.
Bushman closed his remarks by emphasizing the human element in district schools after recent building visits, and he reminded the public that an advisory elementary task force working with a demographer will present recommendations to the board in December. The board will finalize the budget and levy in October when certified property values and equalization aid are confirmed.
Ending The meeting concluded after the board completed the budget hearing and a series of routine resolutions; the board adjourned following voice votes on the levies and other items.
