District overview
School District of Wabeno Area
Funding structure, how it compares to peers, and where major projects stand.
How is Wabeno funded and governed?
A seven-member elected school board governs two schools (Wabeno Elementary and Wabeno Jr./Sr. High) and works with District Administrator William Taylor, who also serves as the junior/senior high principal. Local property taxes of $7.4 million fund most of the general fund, with federal money (including Impact Aid for tribal-land students) adding more than $1 million and state aid under $1 million.
Tax levy
Electors approved a 2026-27 levy of $7,413,232 on October 19, 2026 ($30,000 of it for daycare).
Reserve
The general fund balance was about $14.1 million at the end of 2025-26 against about $9.4 million of budgeted 2026-27 general fund spending.
Spending growth
Budgeted general fund spending rises 4.7% in 2026-27 after 11.5% in 2025-26; support services are the fastest-growing line.
Free meals
Electors approved free breakfast and lunch for all students through the October 2027 annual meeting.
A large fund balance does not by itself mean money is idle: the records do not say whether it is set aside for a project or how the board plans to use it.
Where the district stands
NCES count; context only.
Major projects
Combined administrator and high school principal role
In placeAfter the junior/senior high principal role changed, the board raised the administrator's pay 7.7% for added High School Principal duties in July 2026.
- Board approves 7.7% raise for added duties (6-1)
- Administrator listed as District Administrator and Jr/Sr High School Principal
Funding
General fund
The dollar cost of the raise is not stated.
AI and device policy updates
On November 4 agendaAfter adopting a personal communication devices policy in August, the board's November 4 agenda lists a special Neola update on artificial intelligence and related policies, plus a new strategic plan.
- Board approves Policy 5136 devices
- Agenda lists AI policy update for action
Funding
Not applicable
No cost stated.
Recent news
View the news feed →Resources
Practical guides to school phone policies, district budgets, and administrator hiring.
Explore resources →Based on 47 documents posted as Google Drive PDFs on the district's Board of Education pages: agendas and minutes from November 2025 to November 2026, budget publication and annual meeting notices.
Get alerts for School District of Wabeno Area
We read every agenda, packet, recording, and set of minutes, and write up the decisions that affect families — each one linked to the document it came from.
Copy the RSS link into your feed reader to get new published alerts.