December 1, 2025 at 7:30 AM - Budget Committee

Description:  A motion will be necessary to approve the agenda as presented (or) with changes as recommended.

Description:  Individuals may use this time to comment on any items listed as part of the meeting agenda. A copy of Board Policy 187 —Public Participation at Board Meetings is enclosed for your reference. Past practice has allowed 30 minutes for this section of the agenda.

Description:  The purpose of this agenda item is to review the projected end of the year balance for fund 10. Attached please find a slide from the October 30, 2025, special board meeting. Administration will review this slide and potential scenarios for the end of the year balance. 

Description:  The purpose of this agenda item is to provide an update on the financial plan related to the November 2022 referendum. Attached please find two slides relating to the 2025-2026 property tax levy. Administration will review these slides and will provide an update to the committee on the discussions that are taking place with our financial advisors. 

Description:  The purpose of this agenda item is to discuss future enrollment planning. Attached please find an updated enrollment projection. Administration is recommending planning for 2026-27 utilizing the 3-year average projection model. This model estimates 4,393 (+24) students in 2026–27. Our district continues the pattern of larger graduating classes being replaced by smaller kindergarten classes. The graduating class of 2025–26 is smaller than recent graduating classes (309). Community growth then typically accounts for the gap. Overall, our district has declining/stable enrollment. We used the enrollment projections to then calculate class size information for open enrollment for the January 2026 school board meeting. We also use the enrollment projections for staffing projections which are shared at the January budget committee meeting.

Description:  The purpose of this agenda item is to provide a high-level overview of 26-27 budget planning. Attached please find a draft of the 26-27 Budget Planning Process. Administration will review the enrollment projections, staffing projections, class size, and a high-level budget projection. Administration will be seeking feedback on the topic of staffing levels and open enrollment options that will need to be approved in January 2026.

Description:  The purpose of the conversation is to request a budget committee recommendation for the 4K planning for the 2026-2027 school year. Attached please find the 3 documents that were presented at the special board meeting. Also, attached please find a document that describes the district's investment in 4K beyond the stipend reimbursement for each student in the program.
Administration is requesting consideration of the following:
1. Increase the stipend amount from $3600 to $5500
2. Additional request for 4K open enrollment seats in January 2026
3. Form a 4K task force in preparation for the 27-28 school year 
The attached financial analysis shows the difference between the base scenario and each scenario thereafter.  As an example, the scenario with a $5500 payment results in a deficit of $163,271 ($302,229 minus $465,500). The deficit could then be eliminated through increased open enrollment opportunities or a reduction in staffing levels. 
Here is the number of 4K open enrolled students who have continued their education in Waunakee:
24-25: 8 continued from 4K out of 28 (28%)
23-24: 20 continued from 4K out of 29 (68%)
22-23: 17 continued from 4K out of 22 (77%)
There are currently 31 open enrolled students in 4K, and capacity could be increased to 81 if Goddard is added and all other sites are filled to capacity. Please note that 4K staffing would need to be adjusted accordingly. 
Also, please find attached the census report that will be shared at the December board meeting. Administration will be requesting a committee recommendation for the December 8th board meeting.