School board approves preliminary 2026–27 budget, hires compliance coordinator and OKs IT contract; moves to closed session

The Silver Lake Salem Joint 1 School District board on June 23 approved its preliminary 2026–27 budget, hired a special‑education compliance coordinator, and awarded a one‑year IT contract, then voted to meet in closed session to complete the district administrator’s evaluation.

The board voted to approve the preliminary 2026–27 operational budget after a presentation that used a Baird forecast model and reviewed five thresholds that will affect final numbers: payables entered by June 30, the July 1 state equalization aid estimate, the third‑Friday enrollment count, October 1 property‑value confirmations and the October 15 equalization aid confirmation. The administration said the preliminary figures include one‑time OPEB catch‑up and retirement replacement costs; a fund balance was projected near 31.09% in the materials presented.

District administrator Chris Rattray and guest presenter Tim Stellmacher told trustees the preliminary budget is a transition plan for the district and could change as the thresholds are updated. Rattray said the district built “fail‑safes” into the preliminary plan and noted some savings achieved through attrition and lower‑cost replacements for retirees.

Board members approved several other motions during the meeting. The board hired John Watson as a special‑education compliance coordinator to oversee IEPs and compliance work; the superintendent said the role will be funded in part with categorical aid and intended to reduce legal risk and external consultant spending. The motion to hire Watson was made and seconded and approved by the board.

The board also approved a one‑year Comp‑U‑Net contract for the 2026–27 school year, with on‑site support set at eight hours per week and remote management of servers and hardware. Trustees asked staff to press the vendor for clearer billing details after prior invoices included multiple line items; the board recorded “five ayes” when the motion passed.

Two fund‑balance resolutions were approved: a committed fund balance to pay accounts payable and post‑employment benefits as of June 30, 2026, and an assigned fund balance designation to preserve cash flow and support the district’s bond rating. Motions on both items were made, seconded and approved.

After business concluded, the board voted to go into closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(c) to complete the district administrator’s evaluation and to discuss his contract. That motion passed by voice vote with five ayes.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of May financials and vouchers: motion passed (motion by Mike Gentile, seconded by Joe Hurst). - Hire: John Watson, Special‑Education Compliance Coordinator — motion passed. - Comp‑U‑Net 2026–27 contract (one year, on‑site 8 hours/week) — motion passed (five ayes recorded). - Preliminary 2026–27 budget (preliminary adoption to allow ongoing operations and planning) — motion passed. - CESA 2 delegate (Vicky Gallich, retroactive) — motion passed. - 2026–27 board meeting dates — motion passed. - Committed and assigned fund‑balance resolutions for 2026–27 — motions passed. - Motion to enter closed session under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(c) for the administrator evaluation and contract — motion passed (five ayes).

What’s next: The preliminary budget will be updated as the five thresholds are confirmed (notably the state equalization aid and October property‑value confirmations). The board is scheduled to meet next on July 28, 2026.