Superintendent previews tight 2026–27 budget; county pledges $2 million to support raises

Dr. Stanley presented the district's draft 2026–27 budget and described a funding picture shaped by declining average daily membership and rising costs. He said the division is projecting to lose roughly 60 students next year and described that as a major driver in a tighter operating budget. "Whenever you have decreasing revenue and increasing cost, at some point you hit a point where it's tight," he said.

Highlights in the draft: the administration proposes a 3% raise for all staff in instructional positions and a 2% raise for administrators; the draft also includes six new positions tied to special education (four elementary special education aides, one elementary adaptive teacher and one elementary administrative assistant at Tomahawk). Dr. Stanley said the county has committed an additional $2 million for the budget — the largest local supplement he recalled in recent years — and that money allowed the division to increase the teacher raise from 2% to 3% and to budget for a 10% projected increase in health-insurance costs.

Dr. Stanley reviewed revenue composition and offered an approximate total budget figure presented in the packet. He said roughly 67% of revenues come from the state, about 26% from the county and approximately $6.7 million from federal sources; he also referenced a total budget figure presented in materials (approximately $119.3 million). The board was invited to review the draft and prepare for a final budget discussion at the March 23 meeting; the superintendent said the governor has until April 13 to act on the state budget, and the county adopts its budget on April 7. The presentation did not result in a vote; the board asked staff to return with a finalized recommendation after state and county budget actions.