2017-2018 Budget

Any discussion of the Appleton Area School District’s budget for 2017-2018 must begin by recognizing the support of the community through the successful referendum that occurred in February 2014. 

The referendum approved funding allows for continued significant improvements to the school buildings and the available technology in the District. Additionally, the District’s ability to meet students’ needs in the areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Manufacturing) has been greatly improved. 

Finally, student and teacher access to technology as a tool is being used to augment teaching and learning. 

Below is a list containing some of the many projects that were completed during the 2016-2017 budget year.  

  • Completion of East Library remodel.
  • Remodeled classrooms at multiple buildings including Appleton Bilingual School, Classical, East, Edison, Einstein, Foster, Franklin, and Madison. 
  • Building entrance and office remodel at McKinley Elementary to improve security.
  • Playground improvements at Franklin, McKinley and Lincoln, as well as parking lot rebuild at West.
  • Installation of artificial turf and additional tennis courts for physical education and athletic use at West.
  • Completed maintenance projects involving roofs, HVAC and bathrooms at multiple schools include Houdini, Huntley and Morgan.
  • Remodeled Small Engines room at North.  
  • The District also continues to focus on window replacements, as this increases comfort and energy efficiency in our buildings. Windows were replaced at: Highlands, McKinley, Appleton Public Montessori and parts of Huntley and Lincoln. 
  • Replaced and upgraded the District security camera system infrastructure to allow up to a doubling of the number of security cameras able to be managed in the system (from 400 currently to 800 maximum in new system. 
  • Replaced and upgraded the District’s overall storage capacity to allow for increased student storage, business needs, and security camera storage. Increased from approximately 400 terabytes to 1.4 Petabytes (1,400 terabytes). 
  • 1,904 additional Chromebooks were purchased throughout the District in 2016-2017. The District currently has 10,293 Chromebooks under management. 

Presented here is the 2017-2018 fiscal year budget for the Appleton Area School District.   

The total budget for all funds less interfund transfers is $209,067,479. This budget proposal has been prepared using the best information available and will be reworked when new information is received. It is expected that revisions will be few and minor. 

Budget/Program Highlights for 2017-2018

  • The District is continuing to work toward culturally responsive, safe and welcoming school environments using effective instructional practices.
  • Middle and high schools in the District continue to transition to standards based curriculum. 
  • Committed approximately $2,000,000 to increasing staffing to better meet the needs of our students.
  • Compensation increases for 2017-2018 will be modest for all staff, and are partially funded by dollars that had been going to long term care insurance, which is no longer offered to employees.    
  • The District continues to explore options to reduce the cost of employee benefits.
  • Tax rate is projected to decrease from $9.06 per $1,000 of equalized valuation to $8.93 per $1,000 of equalized valuation.  
  • In 2017-2018 there will be no change to the per pupil Revenue Limit as determined by the state of Wisconsin.  
  • The District’s Equalized Property Value is projected to be flat.
  • The Per Pupil Categorical Aid established in 2013 Wisconsin Act 20 is to increase from $250 in 2016-2017 to $450 for the 2017-2018 budget year. It is projected that an additional $3,047,050 will be received by the District.
  • The District has teamed up with the City of Appleton and ThedaCare to open the Connecting Care Clinic. This innovative clinic provides employees with convenient and effective health care at costs that are less than what other healthcare providers charge.

2017-18 Proposed Budget