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

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.

Attached please find the budget planning timeline for 2026-27.

The purpose of this agenda item is to review the first draft of the budget for the 26-27 school year. I have attached the first draft of the budget for your review. Please note that the first draft of the budget is based on the following:
1. The $0/student increase in the per pupil categorical aid, with a $325/student increase in the revenue limit formula
2. The personnel cost line includes an inflationary salary increase of 2.63%, implementation of the teacher and classified staff compensation systems, implementation of the classified staff operational referendum funds pay adjustments, a 13% increase in dental insurance rates, and a 5% increase for health insurance rates, utilities, and transportation.
3. The capital maintenance projects are funded from Fund 49
4. The first draft includes an increase of 6.55 FTE, as outlined on page 12 of the document.
5. The debt service fund includes the most recent financial plan.
6. All other remaining budget requests have been placed on hold at this time.

The second draft of the budget in June will include:
1. Grant allocations, if available
2. Staffing updates based on additional schedule changes, reallocation proposals or new positions
3. Updates to the Food Service budget (Fund 50), and other budgets as a result of School Board approved student fees
4. Updates to the gift fund (Fund 21)
5. Updates to building/department revenue accounts and corresponding expense accounts
Please let me know if you have any questions on the first draft of the budget.

Attached please find the proposed student fees for the 2026-2027 school year.  Administration is recommending approval.

Attached please find the updated facility use and aquatic center fees for 2026-27. There is also an explanation from Nick Conrad, Athletic Director, on the increases. Administration is recommending approval.

The first draft of the budget includes net FTE increases of 3.05 outlined on page 12 of the budget document. Administration continues to evaluate the need for custodial time between the existing middle school building and the new middle school. The second phase of the operational referendum  has been incorporated into fund 10 and 27 for hourly staff pay increases.Utility costs were adjusted to include the new middle school and the North American Mechanical contract has been funded via fund 10 instead of fund 49. Contingency was increased by $50,000. The 4K budget has been adjusted to reflect the in-district and community programming. The business office budget includes adding back in student accident insurance including coverage for athletics/co-curriculars. All other budget requests have been placed on hold at this time. 

The first draft of the budget includes an additional 1.0 FTE 1:1 para for a new student in the district. Also included is a 1.0 FTE increase for a teacher in our WaunaGROW program. Both of these requests would be funded through the state transfer of service program. Additional transfer of service requests may follow as students move into the district. The rent for the WaunaGROW program has been increased to reflect the additional square footage needs of the program. Administration is recommending approval.

Administration met with Taher management on April 29th to review the operation of the food service program and to plan for 2026-27. The student fee agenda item includes the recommended food service fees for the 2026-27 school year. Taher management has preparing a corresponding budget proposal that is included in the packet. Administration is recommending discontinuing contractual relationships with any food service partner sites outside the Waunakee Community School District. This recommendation is designed to focus our fund 50 efforts on Waunakee Schools as we seek to return a positive financial balance in 2026-27. The recommendation includes a $0.50 meal increase. This is the first increase in 3 years. 

The first draft of the budget includes an FTE increase of 1.5 reflected on page 12 of the budget document. 

A request for proposal was sent out to the following firms: 
Von Briesen & Roper
Renning, Lewis & Lacy
Strang Law
BoardmanClark
Attolles

All firms submitted a response. Attached please find the RFP response from our current Attorney and cost breakdown for each firm. Administration is recommending moving forward with Strang Law at this time. Dr. Brown will be present at the meeting and can speak to this recommendation.