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Waunakee budget committee approves second draft; staff flags $712,000 equalization‑aid loss and levy impact
Summary
The budget committee approved the second draft of the 2026–27 budget, discussed a roughly $712,000 estimated loss in equalization aid that will increase the property tax levy, noted special‑education aid uncertainty, and approved a small lease increase for after‑school services.
The Waunakee Community School District budget committee approved the second draft of the 2026–27 budget on June 2 after staff presented routine fiscal‑year revisions and several risk items.
Ally, the district budget lead, said the presentation updated grant allocations, library aid and transfers between funds and reflected a $1.1 million IRS rebate set aside in fund balance. She told the committee that staff had adjusted the special‑education high‑cost aid estimate downward by several hundred thousand dollars because of an earlier DPI deadline and a lack of published guidance.
Ally said the district now estimates a $712,000 loss in equalization aid for 2026–27 — on top of roughly $1.1 million carried earlier — because the state budget surplus deal that would have added general aid did not pass. "We're estimating a $712,000 loss," she said, warning that the shift in equalization aid can raise a district’s property‑tax levy without adding services.
Staff and board members discussed advocacy and communications: the committee asked staff to work with the district’s legislative liaisons and prepare a public statement for the full board to consider at its next meeting so the district can press legislators before the October levy‑setting deadline.
The committee also approved a one‑year lease renewal with Wisconsin Youth Company for after‑school programming, increasing the per‑building fee from $3,000 to $3,100. Staff said the program is at capacity and principals have preferred maintaining a single program operator to manage facilities and student flows.
A motion to approve the budget second draft was made, seconded and carried by voice vote; separate motions to approve fund balance classifications and the after‑school lease were also approved by voice vote during the meeting. Staff said a third draft will be brought forward in early July with additional details, including Fund 80 pages showing community‑service investments that might be considered for limited support of local partners like the Waunakee Community Cares Coalition.
Next steps: staff will model levy and Fund 80 scenarios for the next draft, work with the board on a potential public communication, and continue to refine special‑education and grant estimates ahead of the final budget action in August.
