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Wauwatosa board adopts 2025–26 budget and certifies $81.26M tax levy, setting aside funds for settlement repayment
Summary
The board approved the 2025–26 budget and certified a tax levy of $81,259,539, using referendum dollars and reserving funds to repay a city settlement related to a prior taxation issue. The budget increases teacher compensation and rebuilds fund balance by about $1.2M.
The Wauwatosa School Board voted unanimously Oct. 27 to adopt the 2025–26 operating budget and to certify a tax levy of $81,259,539.
Finance staff told the board the levy assumes the district uses the maximum revenue cap and includes a $16.1 million nonrecurring operating referendum approved by voters; it also includes amounts tied to prior capital referenda. Staff highlighted key budget priorities: a roughly $2.4 million increase for teacher compensation, raises for other employee groups, an additional $400,000 for updated curriculum work and deferred-maintenance projects funded by referendum dollars. The adopted plan also rebuilds district fund balance by about $1.2 million while reserving approximately $500,000 to begin addressing a payback related to a settlement with a taxed entity referred to in the meeting as 'Freigher.'
Staff explained the settlement and resulting equalized-value shift outside the district’s control: the city's handling of prior tax collections triggered a Department of Revenue process that can require school districts to be reimbursed or to spread charges over multiple years. Finance staff said the district is seeking amortization through the Department of Revenue; if DOR does not permit amortization, options would include using fund balance or raising the levy to cover roughly a $3 million charge noted by staff.
Board members questioned the district’s ability to plan for such events and were told the ultimate authority on levying and state rules rests with the state legislature and DOR procedures; staff recommended constituent advocacy to local legislators and noted the district's legislative-action channels.
The board also reviewed the monthly financial report: year-to-date results were slightly better than budgeted only because raises have not yet been paid; staff said they expect to implement raises after board approval (targeting the first December pay period for pay adjustments). Board members asked for timelines and clarity on when back pay will appear for staff.
The budget and levy were approved by unanimous roll-call vote.
