Winona school board approves 2026 budget update and 2027 supplies allocations

The Winona Area Public School District board on a voice vote approved a revised 2026 budget and separate allocations for the district’s 2027 supplies and materials budget.

District staff told the board the 2026 document reflects actuals through late February and projections for the remainder of the fiscal year. The presentation noted a planned FY26 reimbursement of prior-year payments to Baker Tilly related to a tax-credit effort; staff said the district spent the consultant fees in FY25 and expects to record the reimbursement in FY26, which is included in the updated revenue assumptions. Directors asked for follow-up on the timing and certainty of that reimbursement and whether any revenue could be considered contingent.

Board members also discussed line items driving the revised numbers, including increased transportation contract costs, contract-driven employee cost changes, and enrollment adjustments that affect state aid. During the supplies-and-materials discussion, members asked about special-education equipment coding (so purchases could be eligible for reimbursement), annual field-rental increases tied to an existing lease, and how one-time purchases differ from recurring commitments.

Both motions were approved by voice vote during the meeting. Staff said the revised projections will be refined as more data becomes available and committed to supplying additional detail on the Baker Tilly reimbursement and any revenue contingencies.

What's next: staff will follow up with the board on the questions raised during the discussion and incorporate any clarifications into the next budget document that the board reviews.