Board approves gym ramp and parking-lot projects, hears budget update and teacher-pay proposal

The Greendale School District board approved two capital projects and reviewed a preliminary budget update and a teacher-pay proposal at its March meeting.

Facilities: Jonathan (district facilities) presented a high-school gym balcony ramp to provide universal access and improve operational flow; construction costs were presented as $168,000 with an additional $4,700 for door-access work (total presented ~ $172,700), to be funded from Fund 41. A motion to approve the ramp project (agenda item 3.3) passed by roll-call vote.

The board also approved reconstruction of the Brinkman parking lot, presented at $108,865.50 in partnership with the Village DPW; administration said partnering with the village yielded more aggressive pricing and reported that the Greendale Community Church might also contribute funds to offset levy impact. The motion to approve the parking-lot renovation (agenda item 3.4) passed on roll call.

Budget update: Administration provided a preliminary budget status showing a projected $371,000 deficit for the 2026–27 school year under current assumptions and noted the district is in year two of a biennium budget. The presentation assumed full utilization of referendum authority; administrators said potential offsets include prepaid debt-service funds and the closure of a TIF, and they highlighted uncertainty due to state negotiations over special-education reimbursement rates. Administration set a timeline to present a preliminary budget on May 18 and asked the board for input on priorities.

Teacher salaries: Julie (district HR/finance) outlined a proposal to raise the starting teacher salary to $51,000 and to add an additional top step to the salary schedule to reward longevity and retention. The proposal was presented for review and will return to the board for formal approval at a later meeting; administrators said those currently below the new minimum would be adjusted.

Why it matters: The capital projects include ADA and operational upgrades that the district said are necessary for program access and facility adequacy. The budget update framed near-term fiscal choices and highlighted state-level uncertainty on special-education reimbursement that could materially affect next year’s levy assumptions.

Costs and funding: The gym-ramp construction cost and the door-access budget were presented as separate line items that together total approximately $172,700 and were proposed to be funded from Fund 41 (facility upgrades). Brinkman parking-lot work was presented at $108,865.50, with administration noting that partnership with the Village DPW reduced estimated costs and exploring community-church contributions to offset levy impacts. Administration projected a $371,000 budget shortfall in the 2026–27 plan (assuming current state revenue assumptions and use of referendum authority), and warned that state negotiations over special-education reimbursement are ongoing and could materially change levy impacts.

Board reaction and next steps: Trustees asked for specifics about ADA access during summer events and assurance that athletic and cheer programs would have space during construction; administration said it would coordinate schedules with coaches and construction teams. On the budget, trustees asked to see refined numbers as state negotiations conclude; administration committed to continuing to refine projections and to present the preliminary budget on May 18. The teacher-salary item will return for final board action.

Ending: The board approved the capital projects and requested additional budget detail and the formal salary-structure ordinance for a future meeting. The meeting adjourned and trustees scheduled the next regular meeting for March 16.