District overview

Medford Area Public School District

How the Medford Area Public School District is governed and funded, and what is underway

How is the Medford Area Public School District funded?

Formula-funded under Wisconsin revenue limits, with a voter-approved building referendum

Like every Wisconsin district, Medford can raise only a capped amount per student from state aid and local property taxes combined. The board sets the tax levy each October after final state numbers arrive. Big building projects fall outside that cap only when voters approve borrowing in a referendum. Voters approved a $22.665 million referendum in November 2024 for the high school and related work, and the district closed its borrowing in March 2026.

Budget of $42.3 million for 2026-27

The board adopted a balanced budget of $42,263,524 on October 26, 2026.

Levy up slightly, rate down

The total levy is $9,499,579 at $5.78 per $1,000 of value. Last year it was $9,300,533 at $5.99.

Referendum financing

Bonds for the building project closed at 3.12% on March 17, 2026 with an AA- rating and a 20-year term, which the district says avoided about $3.7 million in interest.

Savings and capital funds

The capital project fund (Fund 46) stood at $5.5 million on June 30, 2026; the board added $1.7 million in July.

The collected documents do not show total revenue by source or state aid amounts, and the 2024 referendum details come from news and district pages rather than the documents read here.

Where the district stands

Adopted budget 2026-27verified

42,263,524 dollars

Balanced; the draft in June showed a $242,814 deficit before changes.

Total tax levy 2026-27verified

9,499,579 dollars

Up from $9,300,533 in 2025-26.

Tax rate 2026-27 (per $1,000 of value)verified

5.78 dollars

Down from $5.99 in 2025-26.

Teacher base raise 2026-27verified

2.63 percent

Plus $0.50 per hour for support staff.

Staff who are satisfied working in the districtverified

82 percent

193 staff took the October 2026 survey.

Budget per student (approximate)context

13,383 dollars

Context: $42.26 million divided by about 3,158 students (federal NCES count). Includes benefits, transportation and debt, so it is not classroom-only spending.

Board of Education membersverified

9 members

Elected at large.

Major projects

Medford Area Senior High School building project

Phases 1 and 2 complete; phase 3 under way

The 2024 referendum funds expanded technical education and science space at the high school. The board approved extra equipment ($291,081) and bathroom plans (about $301,714) in spring 2026. A ribbon cutting was planned for September 11, 2026.

Next: Phase 3 projects and the tennis courts.

Mar 17, 2026Bond financing closed at 3.12%
Apr 27, 2026Extra equipment approved from referendum funds
Sep 28, 2026Phases 1 and 2 reported complete

Funding

2024 referendum bonds

New tennis courts at Raider Field

Approved

The board chose to relocate and expand from six to eight courts without lights.

Next: Design and bidding; no date in the documents.

Jul 27, 2026Decision delayed for more information
Aug 24, 2026Board votes 8-0 for the eight-court plan

Funding

Not stated in the minutes

New district strategic plan

Planning

The 2016-17 plan is being updated without an outside consultant, with a community survey and two community meetings.

Next: Community survey and review meetings.

Feb 23, 2026Board agrees to update the plan
Sep 28, 2026Survey questions and process presented

Funding

Operating budget

Recent news

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Resources

Practical guides to school phone policies, district budgets, and administrator hiring.

Explore resources →

Built from board and committee packets and minutes from October 2025 to October 2026, plus news coverage for the 2024 referendum.

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