While the Manitowoc Public School District will have a reduction in spending in its general fund, they have incurred some debt because of last year’s referendum.
That was a few things spotlighted in the district’s 2026-27 budget presentation last night (October 14th) before their regular meeting.
Business Manager Nathan Mielke, who first said that rightsizing of staff helped with the decrease in the general fund.
That’s because there are fewer employee benefits and salaries given out this year.
Mielke notes, “That was something that the district did as part of the process of going out to referendum to borrow $25 million to start our work on facilities.”
However, some of that fund balance will be used to help pay for upgrades to the Bruce Steinbecker Baseball Field.
There is also a growth in the district’s special education program, meaning more money is moving from one of MPSD’s funds to another to help meet the needs of students.
But the district could receive about $1.5 million more for special ed because of an increase in special education approved in the 2025-2027 Wisconsin state budget.
Mielke says there will be some more salary money moved for special education staff. With one of the district’s funds, the district has incurred some debt because of the $25 million referendum that district residents approved in the 2024 General Election.
The debt will also be a part of setting the district’s tax levy.
“Fund 38 has been a part of our finances for several decades,” Mielke noted.
The school board approved borrowing $14 million of the $25 million this year and will borrow the other $11 million next year.
The district will be getting the amount of money they will get from the state later today (October 15th), which could cause some adjustments for the district’s budget.
The school board approved the preliminary budge,t but could make amendments in the future.
