The Fennimore School Board set the mill rate and the 2026 tax levy during its annual meeting held on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Once the annual meeting formalities such as adopting resolutions and approving salaries were finished, school district bookkeeper Chad Freymiller held the budget hearing portion, which the mill rate, which is the amount of tax payable per dollar of the assessed value of a property, dropped for the fifth year in row, coming in at $7.07, down from 2025’s $7.45.
Freymiller pointed out to the council that a common misconception during school budget hearings is that approved mill rate is what is actually paid for the school portion. He used last year as an example, stating that the first dollar credit and tax levy credits netted the actual mill rate paid for 2025 at $6.99, even though it was certified at $7.45.
While the mill rate decreased, the tax levy, the taxable amount levied on all taxable property in the school district, had a slight increase for 2026 from $3,127,533 to $3,201,231.
Freymiller pointed out that a few factors such as a state aid decrease from last year and resident membership enrollment decreased by 33 students and open enrollment decreasing by 15 student were factors in the levy increase.
The lower enrollment for this school year was mostly due to 62 seniors graduating last year, and only 38 4K students coming in this year, “the smallest amount in quite some time,” Freymiller explained.
The district’s fund balance is once again healthy and keeping the district in a stable financial position, which as Freymiller pointed out allows the district to avoid excessive short term borrowing, something they haven’t had to do since 2020, as well as being able to cover unforeseen expenditure needs.
The board then adopted the tax levy for the tax year 2026, read by board member Matt Rutkowski, filling in for absent school board treasurer Sheila Ruchti.
During a “year in review” session, Fennimore Elementary School Principal Hillary Day highlighted the school’s Math 24 and Lit Wars competitions, the STEM Shuttle visit, and 5th grade girls attending STEM at UW-Platteville, as well as outings such as the annual safety patrol trip to Wisconsin Dells and fire prevention tours at the fire station.
Fennimore Middle/High School Principal Boone Tollefson stated the recent seventh and sixth graders annual trips to Washington D.C. and Wyalusing went well, and touted the middle school’s participation in area spelling and geography bees, SWAL Math contest, Quiz Bowl, and honors band/choir.
At the high school, Tollefson mentioned the high school’s 34th out of over 500 high schools U.S. News and World Report ranking, and that silver cord and dual credit programs continue to grow, as well as the number of youth apprenticeships and dual graduates.
Special Education Director Taylor Rosemeyer gave a report on the summer school program, which was a traveling program with the district buildings closed due to construction.
Rosemeyer said in all, the summer school had 85,815 minutes of learning with 50 different classes over the 12 weeks.
The transportation of students went well according to Rosemeyer, with the program collaborating with over 50 local businesses, using the City of Fennimore’s facilities, and going on 12 off-site field trips.
Lastly, Fennimore School District Administrator Jane Wonderling gave a “big thanks to the community for their strong support of the referendum.”
“It’s a commitment to the children’s future, and providing a safe and modern environment,” Wonderling went on say. “Together we are shaping a bright future for our students.”
Monthly meeting
The regular monthly meeting was then held, with the 2026 tax levy adopted during the annual meeting officially certified.
Four donations were approved by the board including $2,800 from Collision Specialists from their annual fund raiser that will go to area families in need. Dave and Dee Northouse donated winter coats, hats and gloves. Embroidery Express donated $1,500 toward t-shirts for the seventh grade Washington D.C. trip, and the Maroon and Gold Club donated $6,928 toward new weights for the fitness center.
After not receiving applications for the vacant head wrestling coach position, and after some discussion, Tollefson stated that for “one year only,” the position would be shared by boys assistant wrestling coach Don Zdanczewicz, and girls assistant wrestling coach Justin Tollefson. Tollefson stated the two would utilize the volunteer coaches with the hope one of them will take on the head coach position for the following year.
The board also approved Jalissa Reynolds, an English teacher at the high school, as an assistant forensics coach.
