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Board approves preliminary 2026–27 budget; levy estimate up about 3.23%
Summary
The board approved a preliminary 2026–27 budget that lets the district spend beginning July 1 while staff finalize estimates; presenters cited preliminary totals (expenditures $157,733,000; projected tax levy about $51.72 million, a 3.23% increase) and emphasized that enrollment, valuation and state aid are still estimates.
The Stevens Point Area Public School District board voted to approve the preliminary 2026–27 budget as presented, enabling the district to begin authorized spending on July 1 while staff complete figures ahead of final adoption in October.
Business services staff reviewed the budget structure and emphasized the difference between funds: the general fund is balanced in the packet but some funds (capital projects, debt service) show expenditures that exceed the revenue recognized for this fiscal presentation because of timing and transfers. Presenters listed total expenditures for all funds at $157,733,000 and discussed an estimated total tax levy near $51.72 million, a projected increase of about $1.617 million or 3.23% from the previous year. Many inputs used in the preliminary calculation — including equalized valuation, enrollment and several exemptions/state‑aid figures — were presented as estimates and flagged in the slides as likely to change before the final budget.
Presenters also reviewed the revenue‑limit worksheet steps and explained that state aid reduces the levy calculation: the district’s revenue limit with exemptions was presented, then state aid estimates were subtracted to arrive at the levy estimate. Board members asked clarifying questions about fund balances, transfers between funds, and how salaries and benefits are treated across funds. After discussion a motion to approve the preliminary 2026–27 budget passed on a voice vote.
