School board approves 72¢ hourly raise for support staff for 2026–27

The Winneconne Community School District board approved a 72¢ per-hour raise for all support staff effective the 2026–27 school year after a committee recommendation and a unanimous roll call vote.

Chair said the HR/finance committee recommended the increase after reviewing local comparables and applying the Consumer Price Index (2.63%) to the highest hourly wage. “The finance committee is recommending that the board approve a 72¢ per hour increase, to support staff,” the chair said during the meeting.

Board members questioned whether the increase should be rounded to whole dollars and confirmed that custodial staff, paraprofessionals, special-education aides and food-service employees are included in the support-staff classification under the proposal. One member said the raise should help “stop the revolving door” in positions such as janitorial work.

Board member Cunde moved to approve the committee recommendation; board member Stelzner seconded. The board conducted a roll call and all seven members present voted yes; the measure passed.

The board discussed the rationale for the specific amount: it was calculated by applying the 2.63% CPI to the district’s highest hourly wage and checking the result against neighboring districts’ wages. Officials said the increase was intended to lift lower-tier wages and make the district more competitive, not to place the district at the top of local pay scales.

No additional implementation details (exact effective payroll date or budget line item) were provided in the meeting packet; the administration noted the change is for the 2026–27 school year and was recommended by the HR/finance committee.

The board moved on to other business after the vote.