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North Cape School District board approves routine items, hears facilities update and previews 2025–26 budget
Summary
At its Aug. 18 meeting the North Cape School District Board approved minutes, payroll and several policy items; heard a facilities update including gym-floor work and Champions before/after care moving into the cafeteria; and reviewed a balanced preliminary 2025–26 budget showing a $325 per-student increase.
The North Cape School District Board of Education on Aug. 18 approved routine governance items, received a facilities update and reviewed a preliminary balanced budget for 2025–26.
President Dan Hying called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. and the board unanimously approved the July 21, 2025 minutes after a motion by Ryan Menken and a second by Keith Jacobson.
Superintendent Dr. Lehnen previewed opening-week plans, saying staff breakfast will be served at 8 a.m. a week from the meeting and that the district will hold two training days followed by a Thursday Meet-and-Greet for families. “Breakfast is always really good,” Dr. Lehnen said, and he emphasized staff and student goal-setting as a theme for the year.
On facilities, staff (with Mr. Kandler participating by phone for the update) reported that Champions Before and After Care has moved equipment into the cafeteria and will attend Meet-and-Greet Night. Gym-floor replacement work is underway; crews sanded a smooth concrete base to ensure adhesive bonding and padding was being installed. Roofing work by Pioneer Roofing was delayed by recent rain but is scheduled to resume this week. Administrators also listed completed projects including painting, new fans, replaced blinds, consolidated indoor locks, furnace and middle-school wing AC repairs, a well update, fire-alarm testing and stage curtains.
Treasurer Ryan Menken reported routine summer financials including renewed certificates of deposit and steady revenues and expenditures. The board approved the financial review and payroll and disbursement checks after motions and unanimous votes.
Administrators presented a preliminary 2025–26 budget described as balanced. The district anticipates an increase of $325 per student—about $60,000 in total—while general state aid is nearly unchanged from last year (about $800 less). Several revenue sources have declined and some grants remain unconfirmed; Fund 21 is in good shape and could support field trips and enrichment, and Fund 27 (special education) will benefit from a state funding increase from 30% to 42%. The district expects property valuation growth to reduce the levy by roughly 3.67 percent.
On benefits, administrators said a projected double-digit health-insurance increase did not materialize: the actual rise is under 3 percent. They said they are evaluating plan structures that use per-person pricing but warned such plans may limit provider networks and complicate family coverage. The superintendent asked for a board volunteer to help review alternatives.
The board approved the NVCI Seclusion and Restraint report after noting there were zero seclusions or restraints, and it approved the Wisconsin State Academic Standards for 2025–2026. The board also adopted the 2025–2026 employee handbook updated with WASB recommendations.
On open enrollment, two alternate applications were considered: one student withdrew and the district received no response from the other student’s parent after follow-up; Superintendent Lehnen recommended denying the remaining application and the board voted to deny it.
The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. after a motion by Ryan Menken and a second by Tom Henningfeld.
What happens next: administrators will continue to refine the budget as grant confirmations arrive and will report back to the board before finalizing the 2025–26 budget.
