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Shorewood previews 2025–26 budget: small net change, one‑time spending choices for classrooms and capital
Summary
Director Heveland presented a draft original 2025–26 budget showing a net reduction of about $525,000 from the preliminary budget, added 1.1 instructional FTEs, and proposed using a roughly $500,000 cushion for classroom furniture, custodial equipment or capital projects; the board asked for follow‑up detail and prioritized classroom needs.
The Shorewood School Board on Oct. 14 received a preliminary review of the district's 2025–26 draft original budget and initial recommendations for how to allocate a modest surplus.
Director Heveland told the board staff expect certification of general aids the following day and described the draft as close to the June preliminary figures — a net change of about 0.3 percent. He said the state biennial budget increased special‑education reimbursement, which reduces transfers from the general fund, and that the district added 1.1 instructional FTEs to adjust course offerings and support fourth‑grade instruction.
Heveland said aggregate changes include "an increase of $240,000 in instructional expenses and a decrease in non‑instructional expenses of $770,000 for a net reduction of approximately $525,000 compared to the preliminary budget." He also described a cushion of roughly $500,000 (difference between preliminary and original budget) that could be used for one‑time spending.
Staff proposed three "buckets" for one‑time investments: (1) classroom furniture and academic equipment prioritized by impact; (2) reducing future tax‑levy pressure by saving for capital so the levy need is smoother in future years; and (3) elective capital projects such as arena air conditioning, track replacement or athletic training facilities. Heveland said priority requests included four high‑school classrooms and four Atwater third‑grade classrooms plus custodial equipment and PA system replacement.
Board members pressed for per‑pupil clarifications. Heveland used the budget's fund‑10 and fund‑27 totals to show roughly $34,000,000 in operating expenses and an enrollment near 1,900 students and noted that state reporting counts differ because some transfers are classified differently. The board asked staff to return with a recommendation that balances classroom needs, capital planning and any potential tax‑levy smoothing.
Votes at a glance: The meeting adopted the agenda at the start of the session by voice vote; later the board approved the R‑3 monitoring report and the consent agenda by voice vote.
Staff will present a final original budget at the Oct. 24 meeting, with final revenue certification attached.
