Greendale board approves preliminary 2026–27 budget, $711,000 TID payout and related amendments

The Greendale School Board approved a preliminary 2026–27 budget and a set of related budget amendments at its June meeting, including reallocating a $711,000 one-time payout from a local tax incremental district (TID).

Jonathan, the district finance presenter, said the district is presenting financials through May and preparing for the fiscal-year audit. He told the board that operational expenses are “just about $300,000 ahead of pace for where they would be at this point last year.”

The budget amendments – presented as part of the 2025–26 year-end adjustments – allocate the $711,000 TID payout in several ways: maintaining the board target operational surplus of $400,000, transferring $100,000 from Fund 10 to Fund 39 (referendum debt service) for future levy management or potential prepayment, and reserving $75,000 to prepay prior curriculum and athletic vehicle debt.

Administrators also updated the preliminary 2026–27 budget with several items since the board last met: a $44,000 net savings in property/liability/workers’ compensation insurance after renegotiation, an added $219,000 in benefit costs to cover expected health insurance renewal, and $94,000 set aside as salary contingency. Staff said the preliminary budget remains a holding document pending final DPI membership counts and property valuation data expected this fall.

Board members approved the budget amendments and then the preliminary 2026–27 budget by roll call. The board’s action keeps the district on track to meet its board target of transferring $400,000 into fund balance to preserve a 15% reserve target.

Next steps: administrators will return in August with revised numbers ahead of the public budget hearing and final October approval once state aid and valuation figures are confirmed.