Waunakee committee approves $1 million capital maintenance budget and greenlights projects over $25,000

A Waunakee Community School District committee voted to approve a $1,000,000 capital maintenance budget and to authorize the board‑level approval of projects that exceed the district's $25,000 purchasing threshold.

Presenter (S2), summarizing a recommendation attributed to Dr. Brown, told the committee that under the proposed approach “the board's role...would be to approve a budget and then approve projects that line up with the board's purchasing policy.” The recommendation would let administrators implement smaller maintenance work within that budget while returning items above $25,000 to the board for specific approval.

The change in process is intended to reduce the number of routine approvals the board must take, staff said, while reserving oversight for higher‑cost projects. Staff identified examples of likely board‑level projects: gym‑floor resurfacing, removal of interior door handles to improve egress safety, secure shipping and receiving area work, repairs to the Prairie Playground, and whiteboard replacement at the intermediate school.

Committee member (S1) moved approval of the list of projects above $25,000 and additional projects up to a total budget of $1,000,000; Chair (S4) seconded. The committee voted verbally and the motion carried with members answering “aye.” No individual roll‑call tally was recorded in the workshop transcript.

Staff indicated the $1,000,000 recommendation comes from funds currently identified in the district's capital trackers (staff cited an available figure reported as approximately $1,000,084, excluding high‑school funds). Staff said purchases would be managed through the district's normal purchasing process and, where appropriate, through reimbursements from external education foundations that hold fundraising accounts.

The items that require board approval will be placed on the March 9 board agenda for formal action, staff said. Administration will implement smaller projects within the approved budget consistent with the district purchasing policy and existing delegations of authority.

Next steps: the board will see the specific >$25,000 project approvals at the March 9 meeting; administration will proceed with procurement and implementation for items under the threshold.