Watch the Update to the School Board | Download the Presentation

As part of the Stevens Point Area Public School District’s ongoing commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, district leaders provided the Board of Education with an update on the Budget and Program Review process.

Over the past three years, the District has reviewed 644 positions through this process. Of those, 594 positions were filled as-is, two positions are currently frozen and under continued review, and 48 positions have been eliminated. District leaders noted that, beginning with future updates in August or September, reporting will shift from cumulative three-year totals to annual totals, while historical information will remain available on the District’s Budget and Program Review webpage.

A major area of recent work included a review of approximately 110 co-curricular stipend positions across the District. This review considered responsibilities, student impact, participation levels and enrollment trends over a three-year period. As a result, the District developed a more standardized classification structure for co-curricular positions to improve consistency, alignment and long-term sustainability. Any reductions connected to this review will be implemented through attrition and will not reduce current stipends for staff already serving in those roles.

The District also reported additional recurring efficiencies, including staffing reductions, software savings and other operational adjustments. In total, the District identified more than $2 million in efficiencies for the 2026-27 school year. After accounting for strategic additions, including expanded full-day 4K programming, the net savings are approximately $1.5 million, exceeding the District’s annual target of identifying $1 million in savings.

In addition to cost-saving efforts, the District continues to pursue outside funding sources. Recent grant funding includes support for vision-related services and a $990,000 Century Grant over three years. This grant will allow the District to support a previously frozen Technology Integration Specialist position without adding ongoing costs to the general fund.

Next steps in the Budget and Program Review process will include continued review of employee assistant staffing, staffing levels and achievement data connected to reading, and a more in-depth analysis of at-risk programming. This work will continue when staff return in the fall.

The Budget and Program Review process is designed to help the District make thoughtful, data-informed decisions that support students while also strengthening financial sustainability for the future.

Key Topics: 

• Three-year position review totals
• Transition from cumulative reporting to annual updates
• Co-curricular stipend review and classification framework
• Alignment of stipend levels with responsibilities and regional comparisons
• Cost savings realized through attrition (for example, when an employee resigns, or moves into another role)
• Staffing efficiencies and eliminated/frozen positions
• Software and operational savings
• Expanded full-day 4K programming as a strategic addition
• Net savings exceeding the District’s annual $1 million target
• New grant funding, including the Sentry Grant
• Upcoming review areas: EA staffing, reading achievement data and at-risk programming

The May Program and Budget Evaluation update continued the district’s ongoing work to align budget decisions with priorities while identifying operational efficiencies. The district has now identified more than $1.2 million in cost savings for the year, including recurring cost efficiencies, staffing reductions, and additional adjustments based on updated funding information. Positions eliminated have increased to 47, with one position currently frozen as the district works to finalize staffing plans heading into summer.

The district also outlined several areas for targeted program review in the coming year, including final co-curricular tier discussions, educational assistant staffing levels, reading achievement data and related staffing, and secondary at-risk programming. These reviews will help ensure staffing and program decisions remain aligned with student needs, achievement data, fiscal responsibility, and the district’s long-term priorities.

Moving forward, district leaders will continue reviewing budget decisions through the lens of strategic priorities and operational efficiency, while reinforcing shared responsibility among leadership teams for identifying thoughtful, sustainable efficiencies.

Board Meeting Presentation | Presentation Slides 

Key topics:

• 611 positions reviewed
• 44 positions eliminated cumulatively
• Six positions frozen
• Approximately $197,255 in recurring operating efficiencies
• Approximately $1.1 million in net staffing-related savings
• Special education reimbursement opportunities
• Grants totaling $104,000 over three years
• Ongoing review of athletics, contracts, software, ELA and math

Links:

• Board meeting video 
• Board agenda packet

Key topics:

• 590 positions reviewed
• 44 positions eliminated cumulatively
• Staffing reductions identified through elementary and secondary staffing processes
• Class size monitoring
• Full-day 4K demand and additional 4K section discussion
• Advanced Placement and dual enrollment trend data

Key topics:

• 561 positions reviewed
• Co-curricular review
• ELA course sequencing and enrollment shifts
• ACT/preACT ELA indicators
• Software reductions and other recurring savings

Key topics:

• 548 positions reviewed
• Co-curricular compensation review
• World language course proposal planning
• One-time vs. recurring savings
• Early literacy reimbursement
• Youth Apprenticeship grant-writing savings

Key topics:

• Athletics review
• World language review
• Co-curricular participation audit
• Global Scholars discussion
• ELA and math identified for larger program review

The district reviews staffing annually based on enrollment, course requests, class size guidelines and student needs. Through the program and budget evaluation process to date, position reductions have been realized through attrition, including retirements and resignations. District leaders stated during the April 2026 update that no employee who wanted to return was told they could not come back as a result of this process.

Yes. District leaders stated that administrative and administrative support positions are reviewed through the same needs analysis process. The April 2026 board discussion specifically addressed community questions about whether administrative positions are also being considered.

Not necessarily. Some efficiencies have been identified without eliminating services. For example, the district has realized savings related to the Youth Apprenticeship consortium and Partners in Education while maintaining access to programming.

Enrollment affects the number of sections, courses and staff needed across grade levels and buildings. The district reviews enrollment trends to align staffing with student need while monitoring class size guidelines.

Both types of savings may be identified. The district is working to distinguish between one-time savings and recurring savings because recurring efficiencies have a greater impact on long-term budget planning.

No. This work helps the district manage resources responsibly, but it is not a one-time solution to broader funding pressures. The process is part of ongoing long-term financial planning.

Updates are shared regularly with the Board of Education and will be summarized on this page as the work continues.