Budget draft approved; state special‑education aid boost could free $1M in local levy pressure

The board approved the district’s first draft of the 2026–27 budget after staff briefed members on evolving state aid and operations items that will be reflected in the second draft.

Deputy business manager Ally and Assistant Superintendent Steve told the board that the state raised special‑education reimbursement from the 40% range budgeted earlier in the draft to roughly 50%, representing about $1.4 million in additional aid for the district. They also summarized a separate $300 million equalization aid package announced statewide; staff said the combination would reduce the tax‑rate pressure assumed in the survey and the initial budget draft and free roughly $1 million in district general‑fund flexibility.

Because the district’s food service fund (Fund 50) has run persistent deficits after pandemic-era strain and inflation, staff proposed targeted student fee adjustments — primarily a meal price increase — and a strategy to refocus Taher, the food vendor, exclusively on Waunakee schools rather than outside contracts. Staff projected the proposed increases would shift Fund 50 back to a modest positive balance (estimated $30,000–$40,000 on a ~$2 million program) and reduce transfers from the general fund.

Board members asked about participation effects and alternatives; staff said prior rate increases did not materially reduce participation when program value was maintained and noted a plan to evaluate Taher’s performance over the coming school year with an out‑to‑market cycle for large service contracts.

Outcome: board approved the first draft of the budget and approved student fee changes for 2026–27 to address the food‑service deficit.