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Whitnall board approves published 2025–26 budget; officials warn of higher mill rate
Summary
The Whitnall School District board approved the published 2025–26 budget after a presentation by district finance staff that projected higher costs for salaries and shifting state aid, a projected $655,000 rise in salaries and benefits, and a mill-rate increase of about $0.24 to an estimated $7.42.
The Whitnall School District board voted to adopt the district’s published 2025–26 budget after a presentation from district finance staff that outlined revenue projections, debt-service obligations and program funding changes.
During the presentation, a district staff member said the audit went well but some figures remain projections; the staff member said the district is projecting a $655,000 increase in salaries and benefits from 2024–25 to 2025–26 and noted a projected $310,000 decrease in Fund 27 (special education transfers) compared with last year. Finance staff also said shifting state aid and increasing private-school voucher payments contributed to a projected mill-rate increase of about $0.24, yielding an estimated mill rate of $7.42 under current assumptions. The presenter described roughly $5,250,000 in annual debt-service obligations and said the district plans to keep Fund 80 community-service allocations in the budget for items such as the SRO and tennis-court maintenance.
Board members asked for clarification on why state aid changed despite a stable state pot; the finance presenter explained that aid allocations depend on spending patterns across districts and increases in other districts’ referenda can reduce individual shares. Trustees also discussed the district’s restrictive fund-balance strategy, including setting aside money for self-insurance and paying tennis-court lighting costs. After questions and discussion, a motion to approve the published budget was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.
Votes at a glance: the published 2025–26 budget was approved by voice vote (all members present voted in favor in the roll call that followed the motion). The board also approved an updated set of policies (item 5a) earlier in the meeting and adopted multiple consent-agenda items (see Votes at a glance). The next procedural step is the public budget hearing and annual meeting following statutory publication requirements.
The board adjourned into closed session later in the meeting to discuss the superintendent’s evaluation under a cited Wisconsin statute.
