While state officials debate the different items they want in and out of the budget in Madison, your local school districts are trying to work ahead when developing their own. The Joint Finance Committee recently passed some of its measures to be included in the state budget. For the state’s school districts, it consists of a 90 percent reimbursement rate for high-need special education students, a 35-37.5 percent reimbursement rate for overall special education, and no increase in general school aid.  Keeping the general school aid level has been a sticking point between Democrats and Republicans in Madison, with much of the focus on Governor Tony Evers’ use of the veto pen that increased school funding for 400 years. Waiting for clarity is just part of the process for school districts like Sturgeon Bay, where Business Manager Jake Holtz says it has been as late as September when he received the final numbers from the state. He adds that the district’s conservative approach helps them not to spend more than their limits while the state sorts things out, especially regarding special education.

Holtz is proud of the practices the district has implemented to ensure that taxpayers are considered in its decisions.

As part of last Wednesday’s Sturgeon Bay School District Board Meeting, Holtz will present the preliminary budget for the 2025-2026 school year. He calls any additional funding they may receive from the state “a bonus.” His presentation also examines the district’s teacher wages, health insurance, and roof repairs for the middle and high schools.