Access Board Meetings Online: Community members can stay informed by watching every board meeting on our YouTube channel, MCPASD TV. In the recap below, we have provided timestamps for the various sections of the meeting. These will help you follow along and jump directly to the parts of the video that interest you the most.
4:40 – District Budget Presentation
During the annual budget hearing presentation, Board Vice President Catherine Kells discussed the revenue limits for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The revenue limit identifies the maximum amount a district may raise through state aid and property taxes. The 2025-2026 revenue limit estimate is $112,094,498, a $7,275,251 increase from 2024-2025.
Kells also presented the 2025-2026 Total Budget by Fund:
General Operations | $130,937,802 |
Long Term Debt | $12,892,444 |
Capital Projects | $11,278,000 |
Food Service | $3,846,513 |
Trust Funds | $2,007,350 |
Community Service | $224,682 |
Cooperative Programs | $47,755 |
Total | $161,234,546 |
The General Operations preliminary revenue is made up of Taxes (68.3%), State Aid (26.2%), Federal Aid (2.4%), Fees/Rental/Interest (1.6%), and Miscellaneous (1.6%).
The General Operations preliminary expenditures are Salary & Benefits (83.78%), Services (11.7%), Supplies (3.23%), Miscellaneous (1.21%), and Equipment (0.08%).
Kells noted that this is the sixth consecutive year the District has avoided short-term cash flow borrowing, resulting in significant savings that have been redirected to other District priorities. Sound fiscal practices like this have helped the District maintain an Aa1 credit rating from Moody’s Investors Service, one of the highest ratings available for school districts in Wisconsin.
The District is expecting to receive no increase in Equalization Aid from the State for the 2025-2027 budgets. This will likely cause a potential increase in property taxes, beyond the increase for year three of the non-recurring operating referendum.
The District is currently operating under an estimated preliminary budget. The Board will adopt the final 2025-2026 budget and certify the tax levy at its Oct. 27, 2025, meeting. Before that can happen, three key pieces of information are still needed: the third Friday in September enrollment numbers, the certified District equalized property values, and the October 15th State Equalized Aid certification.
For more details, read the full annual financial report.
14:23 – Election of Chairperson for 2025 Annual Meeting
The Board elected Catherine Kells as the chairperson for the 2025 annual meeting.
15:00 – Opening of the School Year Report
In her opening of the school year report, Superintendent Dr. Dana Monogue highlighted the District’s mission and vision for the 2025–2026 school year.
She expressed gratitude to the many departments that worked diligently over the summer to ensure a successful start, including Facilities and Maintenance, Transportation, Technology Services, Business & Employee Services, District and Building Leaders, School Improvement Teams, Curriculum Teams, and Food & Nutrition Services.
She provided an update on A Cardinal’s Journey, noting that all staff have been introduced to the framework, posters are displayed throughout schools, and implementation plans are embedded in school improvement efforts. District goals aligned with A Cardinal’s Journey include Creating a Culture of Learning and Belonging, Aligning Resources, and Engaging Our Community. These initiatives will be guided by the District’s Vision for Teaching and Learning.
Dr. Monogue emphasized that fiscal health, sustainability, and safety and security will continue to be top priorities across the District. Regarding safety and security, she noted that a second School Resource Officer has been added to the high school campus and that staff are being trained on Visitor Aware, a digital check-in system designed to help schools safely and efficiently manage visitors. The system will launch in all school buildings this month.
Finally, she extended heartfelt thanks to the Board of Education, the District’s supportive community, dedicated partners and sponsors, staff, and students.
20:36 – Adoption of Tax Levy
The Board approved a tax levy of $103,337,971 upon all taxable property in the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District for the 2025–2026 school year. This funding will be used to pay staff, cover day-to-day operating costs, maintain schools, and make payments on District debt and building projects.
21:32 – Resolution to Levy a Tax for Adding to Capital Fund
The Board approved a tax levy of $1,000,000 upon all taxable property in the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District to be deposited into the segregated capital fund created at the 1993 Annual Meeting.
22:05 – Approval for Transportation for Students at District Expense
The Board approved continuing the District’s current practice of providing transportation to and from school for all students who live 1.1 miles or more from the school in their attendance area. This aligns with Wisconsin law, which requires transportation for students living more than two miles away or in a designated hazardous area (Wis. Stat. 121.54 (2) (a)).
23:06 – Adoption of School Board Salaries for 2025-2026
The Board approved the proposed salary increase of 2.95% for all members of the MCPASD Board of Education.
Current Rate (2024-25) | Proposed (2025-26)* |
President . . . . . . . $12,000 | $12,000 x 2.95% = $12,354 |
Other Members . . $ 6,000 | $6,000 x 2.95% = $6,177 |
The amounts were increased on an annual basis consistent with the cost of living adjustment percentage received by MCPASD employees per the 2024 Annual Meeting.
24:24 – Reimbursement of Board Members’ Expenses
The Board approved the resolution for Board members to receive reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred when traveling in the performance of duties, including attendance at Board-approved full-day or out of the area conferences, conventions or meetings.
Board members shall follow administratively established procedures for claiming and substantiating amounts for which payment or reimbursement is requested.
25:02 – Scheduling of the 2026 Budget Hearing and Annual Meeting
The Board approved the resolution that the Board of Education be authorized to establish the date, time, and place of the 2026 Budget Hearing and Annual meeting.
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