March 18, 2026 at 8:00 AM - Human Resources Committee

Description:  The state has set the CPI for 2.63% for the 26/27 school year, starting on July 1, 2026.  

Potential wage increase timeline:
March / April - Review draft wage increase plan by the HR Committee
April / May - Approve wage increases for Admin, Admin Support, Hourly Staff - Board action
Negotiation Dependent* - Approve wage increases for teachers.  The WTA has informally expressed an interest in starting in April.
July - New wages take effect for staff

Per the Fall 2024 Operational Referendum, the community supported $1 million in funds over the 25/26 and 26/27 to increase all hourly staff to the Dane County peer average hourly wages.  Planning documents will released in the future to demonstrate the associated actions for the 26/27 wage increases, including the referendum-based increases.

Description:  Negotiation Preparation with District Negotiations Team.  Materials will be shared with the Committee at the meeting with potential costing examples for 26/27 contracts.

Description:  The district insurance committee involving staff, district administration and Board members Joan Ensign and Mark Hetzel have been meeting during this school year to prepare for the 26.27 plan year.

The committee has reviewed district and peer plan structures, feedback from staff and committee members, district budget forecasts, and advice from USI, the district's benefit advisor. 

Materials related to the Insurance Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 will be shared with the HR Committee.

Timeline of remaining activities:

March - Insurance Committee creates a recommended plan and rate structure to work with district budget forecasts.
April - Board reviews recommended plan / rate structure; Board vote
Mid April to Mid May - Employee communication / education
Mid April / May - Open Enrollment

Description:  In response to social worker requests to review their contract structure, administration has been meeting with the social work team to explore the contract style offered to WCSD staff.  WCSD is an outlier in our peer Dane County Districts in that we offer a two-year administrative support contract instead of a teacher-style contract with extended days.  

The administration has proposed to the group a teacher-style contract with 12 extended days.  The members of the group support the change as presented, with two exceptions, as does the administration.

The attached document shows the structural differences.  Within the discussion, the administration is seeking to clarify continued HR Committee support, employee salary placement in the new contract style, and potential solutions for employees that do not desire the change.