Menomonie school board approves same mill rate as last year

(Per Wis. Stat. § 19.84(2))
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE MENOMONIE AREA
NOTICE OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE CENTER
215 PINE AVENUE E., WISCONSIN MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2025, 5:45 P.M.

This meeting will be live streamed at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCq2Z68-Z717wExwN1mChOQ/streams

AGENDA
   I. OPENING ITEMS
       A. Call to Order
       B. Roll Call and Quorum
       C. Pledge of Allegiance and Reading of Mission Statement
       D. Agenda Order and Approval/Revision
       E. Recommendations & Commendations
       F. Special Highlight on Youth- SDMA ELL Heritage Trunk

See Video for more information
       G. Community Communications
   II. CONSENT AGENDA
       A. Action to Approve Consent Agenda
           1. River Heights Safety Drill Report
           2. 2025-26 Staffing Plan Adjustment

Passed Unanimously
   III. PERSONNEL CONSENT AGENDA
       A. Action to Approve Personnel Consent Agenda
           1. Resignations/Retirements
           2. Requests to Hire
   IV. ACTION AGENDA
       A. Action to Approve 2026 Renewal of District Health Insurance

In general reports on the new plan have been positive.. Providing access with a near-site clinic has really improved access to care and has lowered costs for routine care.

The health insurance renewal was passed unanimously.

       B. Action to Approve Final Budget Revisions for 2024-2025

The Board will consider approval of the final budget revisions for the 2024–2025 fiscal year.

 

As part of this final budget revision, a number of adjustments were made to align major budget accounts with the actual year-end figures. While the total number of revisions appears large, most represent updates to ensure the accuracy of our reporting rather than significant programmatic changes. The most notable adjustment is the budgeting of the $3.5 million transfer to Fund 46, which had previously been approved by the Board but not yet reflected in the adopted budget. Overall, these revisions provide a more accurate representation of the district’s financial activity for the 2024-25 fiscal year. - Eric Nelson

The final revisions are all attached below, The motion passed unanimously.

       C. Action to Approve Adoption of 2025-2026 Budget

The Board will consider approval of the 2025-26 district budget.

 

The most significant changes from the preliminary budget that the Board approved in June include the following:

State Equalization Aid:
State equalization aid increased by only 0.57% over last year — approximately $900,000 less than projected in the preliminary budget. SDMA was among just 21% of school districts statewide that received more equalization aid than the prior year.

Property Valuation:
Property values within the SDMA increased by 5.4%, exceeding the preliminary budget estimate of 4.71%. Statewide, property values rose by an average of 8.1%.

Long-Term Debt Levy:
The preliminary budget included an additional $3 million to accelerate long-term debt repayment. The proposed budget reduces that amount to $2 million in order to maintain the mill rate at $5.60 for the second consecutive year, and to accommodate a 41% increase in the school voucher portion of the levy.

Tax Levy:
The total all-fund tax levy (Line 16 on the revenue limit worksheet) in the proposed budget is $18,821,314, slightly higher than the preliminary projection of $18,537,275, and above last year’s levy of $17,882,530.

Tax Rate:
The proposed mill rate is $5.60, which is almost identical to the preliminary estimate of $5.59, and equal to last year’s rate of $5.60.

The budget was approved unanimously.

       D. Action to Approve Certification of 2025-2026 Tax Levy

 

As outlined in the attached documents, the recommended tax levy for approval is $18,821,314, which represents a slight increase from the preliminary budget projection of $18,537,275, and is higher than last year’s levy of $17,882,530. This recommendation reflects adjustments made to maintain a stable mill rate while accommodating changes in state aid, property valuations, and the private school voucher portion of the levy.

The tax levy and mill rate was approved unanimously.
   V. DISCUSSION ITEMS/POLICY REVIEW
       A. Review MHS Course Offering Timeline
       B. Review Quarterly Progress on District Work Plan
       C. Discuss WASB Board Development Tool
       D. Review Extracurricular Staff Contract Requests
       E. Items Related to Next Meeting Dates, Board Committees, and Reports
   VI. ADJOURNMENT
       A. Action to Adjourn

Adjourned at 7:06 PM

The agenda as noted above was posted more than twenty-four hours prior to the meeting date. The most up-to-date agenda information is available on the district website. This agenda is posted at the Menomonie Area School District Administrative Services Center, and on the district website at www.sdmanonline.com under the School Board link.