Sparta board approves preliminary 2026–27 budget; asks for co‑curricular cost breakdown

The Sparta Area School District board approved a preliminary operating budget for 2026–27 that administration said will guide spending between July 1 and the original budget adoption in October.

Superintendent Mr. Russ summarized known and estimated drivers: the current $750,000 operating referendum is ending; the state revenue limit shows a $325 per‑student increase; federal funds and a Department of Defense grant are ending; and the district will not know exact pupil counts until late September. Administration projected total revenue near $47.5 million (about $500,000 below the current year) and preliminary budgeted expenses near $47.9 million, producing an anticipated deficit of roughly $400,000 that would be covered with fund balance under the preliminary plan.

Salary assumptions include a 2.63% cost‑of‑living adjustment applied across wages and steps/lanes in the teacher compensation model. The presentation listed position reductions with an estimated salary savings of about $580,000 and associated benefits savings of roughly $130,000; building and department budgets for supplies were reduced and some textbook purchases were already budgeted. Administration also identified $200,000 of estimated transportation savings under new arrangements.

Board members pressed administration for a sport‑by‑sport and program‑by‑program breakout of high‑school co‑curricular spending (including advisor pay, equipment and transportation). Administrators pointed to an available spreadsheet showing co‑curricular line items and said they would provide more detailed fall‑sport breakouts and transportation impact data.

A motion to approve the preliminary budget — and to request an in‑depth review of high‑school co‑curricular spending at the next meeting — passed on roll call (6 yes, 1 no; Miss RDE recorded the dissent). Board members and administrators emphasized that the preliminary budget is a working roadmap that will be revised before the original budget is adopted in October and via routine budget revisions throughout the year.

The board then voted to enter closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(c) to consider a personnel matter; the livestream ended at that point.

Votes at a glance: consent agenda approved earlier in the meeting (voice/roll call); motion to move survey results to Nov. 9 passed 7‑0; preliminary budget approved 6‑1; motion to enter closed session passed by roll call.