[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6382187,"mediaKeyId","2127510-f81ca0b6724f61b9966329243be3a091","parentId",2127510,"title","Board approves open-enrollment designation and two‑year administrative contracts; three candidates set for April ballot","audioSeconds",1124,"startMs",453000,"endMs",1577000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2127510-f81ca0b6724f61b9966329243be3a091&start=453&end=1577","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2127510-f81ca0b6724f61b9966329243be3a091/thumbnail_453000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6382187/Wisconsin/Board-approves-open-enrollment-designation-and-twoyear-administrative-contracts-three-candidates-set-for-April-ballot","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382187-42a660673cfead63122a833341eaf323/orig.mp4?Expires=1770976542&Signature=YWW4N5K7whHhi75tIeRGxRx-qpB3u9t8E5M8vbjIR0cn0KskSHbqFf1vvhMxcQAVEkKpvAEiow5Vdkq9iMoY1GI4pwJAwMUM0yKIsCdGKmPuDj5tfok10fiE7JASnQGfzCfc~wGCj29e9pgKS5WZ8WMDCvXktDesf-EU7g2-NsO~zOOPTyZwSHfbdfDJgOpqcgDc-576oKVkhK6ZkCX-HI~c1GByEa-Huci8pXhTixLAdkoNsf-nOqiYvvR3zsBBw2Iu2pyfKfgb7vUuEBLJ2kp-9BtNBClzu4leqaOyADC-XF-so7wMGrF0AXQVEoZao2y3nK8ioZC6~YhWCce8Zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fort Atkinson School District","date","2025-01-18T00:49:51.567Z","article","The Fort Atkinson School District Board of Education on Jan. 16 approved a resolution designating that no special education open-enrollment spaces are available for the 2025-26 school year while stating it will not deny new regular-education open-enrollment applications based on space. The board also approved issuing two-year administrative employment contracts that run from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, and accepted the verified candidate filings for the April school board election.

Board members approved the consent agenda early in the meeting; the consent agenda included minutes from the Dec. 19, 2024 regular meeting, approval of 4K provider contracts, mid-year compensation adjustments, budget transfer requests and payment of district bills. A motion to approve the consent agenda carried on roll call.

On open enrollment, administration (Mrs. Hollenberger, director of pupil services and special education) presented the DPI process used to determine available seats. The board read and adopted a resolution that states: “Will not deny any new regular education open enrollment applications for the 2025-26 school year based on available space at any grade level. Be it further resolved that the Board of Education designates that there are no available special education spaces for the 2025-26 school year for new open enrollment applicants.” The motion was moved and seconded and carried.

On administrative contracts, the board approved issuance of individual employment contracts for administrative staff beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027. Administration said two new associate principals, one at the middle school and one at the high school, will be included so all administrators share the same contract cycle. The motion passed on roll call.

The board clerk reported that the filing deadline for declarations of candidacy was Jan. 7, 2025. Three electors filed for two open seats; the names and ballot order presented to the board were: 1) Robin Celli; 2) Kurt P. Lewis Jr.; and 3) Siobhan N. Bowen. Because three candidates filed for two seats, no primary is required; the general election is Tuesday, April 1, 2025. The newly elected board members will take office on Monday, April 28, 2025. The board also scheduled invitations for the candidates to speak at the Feb. 20 board meeting.

The meeting concluded with routine items for future agendas and an adjournment motion that carried. The board did not take further formal action related to the budget presentation at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board of Education Meeting - 1/16/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its Jan. 16 meeting the Fort Atkinson School District board approved a resolution on open enrollment (no special-education spaces available), approved two-year administrative contracts starting July 1, 2025, and accepted candidate filings for two board seats with three candidates on the April 1, 2025 ballot.","taxTitle","Fort Atkinson School District, School Districts, Wisconsin","taxId",49807,"location","Wisconsin","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":44,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":50,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6382190,"Fort Atkinson board hears budget projection showing shortfall for 2025-26",1065,1518000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2127510-f81ca0b6724f61b9966329243be3a091&start=453&end=1518","/articles/6382190/Wisconsin/Fort-Atkinson-board-hears-budget-projection-showing-shortfall-for-2025-26","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382190-ac438633b628973d01928a07c499ba2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770976542&Signature=Dwk7D9upWrT5UK9QmiuIeDuKY87ZkETYBB4S9G0gN7rrHzjXSwIVc0Vm6up2DUbKv-nCvOJH5dSyT23IZnuiOAoahyvm7i1EiUmvrQnfnms7v5NNOiS~B7rs~Rcu6xpE8kerJm96rS7W4QNBL~Ha2vTu7WV3yPPMBEVY~F3J3snh5r0kJpHYXO4mCJa3CEJ-X4Qm5LXXjRzZH3HXwYcJeytIVsOpDh35QiwHARsdL9MjQThGaCw0MFwB7POflUC4mGUMJJUQGkSUB78LDw8N~W-AVxfYpNIVJSbZKto8UJwJcmmHUSpMKUsag2uSv6EyB2rGTOEjLbA9QnP0tjtz3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fort Atkinson School District Board of Education on Jan. 16 heard a financial projection from Nathan Knitt, the district’s director of business, that forecasts a budget shortfall for the 2025-26 fiscal year and steeper deficits after the current operational referendum expires.

Knitt told the board the projection incorporates a 7-year enrollment trend (the district’s 2024-25 head count was 2,190, measured on the third Friday in September), a $325-per-pupil increase under the state revenue limit, a 5% wage assumption for 2025-26 (with 3% CPI and a 2% market adjustment assumed inside that figure), and a 12% year-over-year health insurance increase forecast. He said the projection is preliminary and subject to change pending the state biennial budget, health insurance renewals and other updated information.

The projection shows a carryover surplus for 2024-25 that “will mostly offset” a forecasted deficit for 2025-26. Knitt said the district is “850 in the black” for 2024-25, “just under $1,000,000 in the red” for 2025-26, and “approximately $3,800,000 in the red” in the last year of the current operational referendum. He emphasized these figures are early estimates and that updated state budget numbers arriving between June and October could change the outlook.

Board members pressed on specifics behind the drivers of the gap. Members noted enrollment is declining statewide and that the district’s projected per-pupil cost increases outpace the $325-per-pupil revenue bump. One board member summarized the math: the district’s projected costs increase by roughly $1,400 per pupil while the state increase is $325 per pupil. Board members asked about housing and community growth as long-term enrollment strategies and emphasized scrutiny of every budget dollar.

Knitt described other forecast assumptions: 5% increases for utilities and transportation, a 10% increase for business insurance (workers’ compensation and liability), 3% growth in 4K payments, and modest supply and miscellaneous expense increases. He said the board has previously prioritized maintaining benefits as part of total compensation and that benefits remain a retention tool for district staff.

No formal action was taken on the projections at the meeting. Knitt asked for board advisement on next steps and confirmed administration will continue to refine projections as state and insurance information becomes available.","At its Jan. 16 meeting the Fort Atkinson School District board heard a financial projection from Director of Business Nathan Knitt that shows declining enrollment, assumed cost increases (including a 5% salary forecast and 12% health insurance increase) and a projected deficit for 2025-26. No formal action was taken.","actionData","errors"]

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Board approves open-enrollment designation and two‑year administrative contracts; three candidates set for April ballot

Fort Atkinson board hears budget projection showing shortfall for 2025-26