At its organizational meeting the Winona Area Public School District board elected officers, approved the 2026 meeting calendar and stipends, authorized Merchants Bank as the district depository, designated multiple law firms after an RFP, and approved administrative financial delegations and publishing arrangements.
Superintendent reported total K–12 enrollment of 2,192 and explained the district adjusted the ADM projection reduction to 2.21% (from 2.38%) based on recent averages; board members asked technical questions about ADM methodology.
Winona Area Public Schools board approved an ethnic-studies elective for high-school juniors and seniors after extended debate and a temporary motion to table; supporters said the course aligns with state statute and student interest, while opponents said the course language on equity and identity was divisive.
The Winona Area Public School District board ratified a two-year settlement with the WEA and approved maintenance and food-service personnel arrangements; administration reported an estimated $2.15 million two-year cost for the WEA agreement and fund-specific impacts for other agreements.
At its final meeting of the year the Winona Area Public School District board approved the districts proposed 2025 tax levy, adopted the 2027 budget timeline and assumptions (using an enrollment projection labeled Option G), ratified collective-bargaining and personnel agreements and accepted donations; the board also selected Nov. 3, 2026 for a capital-project levy election.
The board voted to approve the CACR document, but multiple directors expressed concerns about accountability, implementation and the use of demographic measures; one director described recording ethnic background as 'distressingly racist' and another director objected to that characterization.
Director Slavi told the board the district’s total levy is projected to increase about $597,000 (4.73%), driven by adjustments for LTFM and building-lease changes; the 2026 general fund budget shows a $913,000 projected expenditure excess and a $43.5 million revenue estimate.
Principal Warnke presented five proposed courses—AP Computer Science Principles, AP Seminar (proposed to replace honors English 10), Chemistry in the Community, Ethnic Studies (state‑mandated), and a sports management/PE course—and described an auto‑enroll pilot to increase access to rigorous courses.
Director O'Brien presented the district’s Comprehensive Achievement & Civic Readiness report and a new literacy goal of 63% proficiency (or +3 percentage points where close); board members raised questions about how the target was set, accountability if goals aren’t met, and the addition of Bridge to Read and new screeners for grades 4–12.
District presenters told the board the school-based health clinic expanded counseling and clinic days across sites and has served 131 students to date; the program received a three-year, $200,000 grant to extend services across all school sites and reduce out-of-pocket costs for families.
