Scottville board warns of 2026–27 deficit and approves 21.9% health-insurance increase

At the Scottville School Board’s April 22 meeting, Mr. Bramble presented a budget update warning that the district expects to spend from its fund balance in the 2026–27 school year and identified inflation as the primary driver of the shortfall. “Inflation is not recognized in the funding formula,” he said, adding that the district must consider temporary solutions to a persistent funding gap.

The presentation included figures intended to show the budget outlook if costs rise as expected; one slide showed what appeared to be a $725,399 shortfall figure, a number Mr. Bramble cautioned was partly distorted by insurance reimbursements tied to last year’s hail damage. He also noted the state’s broader fiscal picture, saying the state of Wisconsin has a $6.2 billion surplus while district funding remains constrained.

After reviewing options from benefits broker M3, the board voted to approve the district’s base health-insurance renewal for 2026–27, which carries a 21.9% premium increase but keeps the current plan design. Mr. Bramble framed the recommendation as balancing budgetary pressures against the board’s goal of retaining staff: the higher rate keeps employees on the same coverage rather than moving to a lower-cost plan.

Board members described the vote as difficult. One member said the decision reflects the board’s effort to “take care of our people,” while another warned about the budgetary consequences of the increase. The meeting record also notes that some members could not vote because of family ties and that at least one abstention was recorded during the vote.

Why it matters: the approved insurance increase raises recurring personnel costs at the same time the board’s budget presentation forecasted drawing down reserves for 2026–27. District officials said they will continue long-range budget planning and monitoring to address the gap.

The board’s action leaves the district with a higher recurring cost for employee benefits; board members said they will continue to discuss trade-offs in coming meetings as they refine the 2026–27 budget.