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Shorewood board adopts 2025–26 budget and sets $26.05 million property tax levy
Summary
The Shorewood School District board approved its 2025–26 operating and capital original budget and set a $26,045,643 property tax levy (including $1,375,000 for a capital expansion fund). The budget passed 4–1 after discussion about staffing, fund transfers and long-term planning.
The Shorewood School District board voted Oct. 28 to adopt the district’s 2025–26 annual operating and capital budget and to set a property tax levy of $26,045,643, including $1,375,000 earmarked for the capital expansion fund.
Director Hevelin presented the budget as a revision of the district’s June preliminary plan, saying revenues are within 0.4% of projections and that the district expects about $37,500 in reimbursement from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for Act 20 early-literacy curriculum expenses. Hevelin described a roughly $244,182 increase in instructional expenses offset by a $456,183 decrease in noninstructional expenditures (a net reduction of about $212,000) and noted a decrease of roughly $300,000 in general operating expenses because the state will reimburse a greater share of special-education costs.
The board moved to adopt the operating and capital original budget for 2025–26. The motion passed with four votes in favor and one opposed; Committee member S20 cast the lone "nay." The board then voted to set the property tax levy at $26,045,643, a 2.4% increase from the previous year, with Hevelin explaining that the levy covers general operating funds, debt service, and smaller components such as the community service fund.
Board members asked detailed questions about staffing and expense drivers during the presentation. Hevelin said the budget adds about 1.1 instructional full-time equivalents (FTEs) while reducing approximately 1 FTE in nonteaching staff, increasing net salary expense by roughly $11,000. He also said a deferred roofing project and an additional $75,000 elevator refurbishment will be recorded in Fund 41 for the coming year.
Committee member S20 explained the "no" vote as a fiscal stewardship concern, saying it was "irresponsible" to approve a budget that continues to increase staff-cost drivers without larger structural changes. Other board members and the superintendent emphasized the importance of the budget to maintain services and resources for students.
Next steps: the district will continue community engagement around long-term financial planning through a recently formed task force and will begin work on the 2026–27 budget in December, including community forums that district leaders say will be announced soon.
