Business Services & Operations Home
Business Services Department
We strive to build trust and add value among all members of our community through effective management of resources while creating and maintaining the best environment for growth. The Mequon-Thiensville School District has been affirmed at the highest rating possible, Aaa, by the bond rating agency Moody's, making the district one of only three in the state to hold the top rating.
Business services staff members work in concert with district administrators and staff, the board of education, government agencies, and other individuals and groups to ensure the highest degree of safeguarding and transparency of the public's assets.
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In order to achieve our vision and mission, the school district uses a strategic plan to determine priorities, make decisions regarding resources, and align our operations with the goal to ensure that employees and other stakeholders are working toward common goals.
Learn more about budget & finance in MTSD, and review detailed documents.
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We offer a variety of healthy meal options to students daily as a participant in the National School Lunch Program. Breakfast and lunch are provided through a private contractor, ARAMARK Education. Students may also bring a lunch from home.
Learn more about the food service program, view menus and fees, and connect to online meal payment.
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The goal of the transportation program is to provide safe, reliable and efficient transportation services for all eligible students.
The school district provides transportation services to over 4,200 kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school students by contract with Go Riteway. We understand the bus ride to and from school is an extension of the school day. We actively collaborate with to ensure that Go Riteway believes that keeping students safe if priority one. The GO Riteway fleet is consistently checked and approved for safety and maintenance, and are clean and comfortable for passengers.
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- Request for Proposal (RFP) for Long-Range Master Planning Services (DUE: 8/24/26 @ 12:00 p.m. CST)
Budget Development
The districtwide budget development process is collaborative, involving many stakeholders. The process, led by the executive director of business services, includes the collaboration of school personnel, the superintendent and the school board. The budget reflects the labor, materials, and resources required to fulfill our strategic goals and objectives. The budget serves as an operational plan, stated in financial terms, for carrying out the mission of the school district.
Budget Development Timeline
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Board of Education reviews and approves new courses and/or curriculum proposals for the following school year.
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- Updated enrollment projections
- Budget forecast
- Administrative review of staffing
- Analysis of class size
- Review of department needs
Administrative budget development
- Discussions with principals/departments related to class size, staffing, program needs
- Review of all preliminary requests
- Decision analysis to prioritize requests
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Administrators present upcoming school year new initiatives or facility projects to the Board of Education.
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The Board of Education takes action on the approval of new initiatives, facility projects, and staffing recommendations.
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Final staffing plan submitted to Business Services.
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Preparation of the Annual Report to the Community.
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Distribute annual report and notice of Annual Meetings.
Annual Meeting held:
- Board action to approve upcoming year budget
- Community action to certify tax levy
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Certify District enrollment (3rd Friday Count)
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- Equalized valuation certified from the Department of Revenue
- Certification of State Aid
The Board of Education takes action on October adjustments/certification of tax levy
Budget & School Fee FAQs
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No. Districts may only exceed the revenue limit if voters approve the increase in a referendum.
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Student fees help offset the costs of supplies or services provided by the District. The Wisconsin Constitution limits a school district’s authority to assess fees except under limited circumstances, providing that public schools “shall be free and without charge for tuition to all children between the ages of 4 and 20 years.” Courts have ruled that schools may charge fees for books and items of a similar nature, except in cases of indigence, and for social and extracurricular activities because they are not “necessary elements of a high school career.” Schools may not charge for instructional time, such as teacher salaries, apparatus, building costs, or maintenance. Any course that is credited for graduation, even if it is not required for graduation, must be provided without charge.
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The majority of the district’s revenue does come from the local tax levy. The revenue for school fees accounts for approximately 1% or $480,000 of our revenue budget for operations. Employee salaries and benefits account for the majority of our overall operational budget at 77%. Per the Wisconsin State Constitution, student fees may not be used to fund employee salaries.
Teacher salaries are publicly posted here and are current through the previous year’s data.
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A school resource fee helps to offset the cost of materials necessary to complete coursework, such as books, and other educational supplies.
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The Chromebook fee is optional and does not cover the cost of the Chromebook, rather it acts as insurance should the Chromebook be lost or damaged.
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We do offer the option for families to apply for free and reduced lunch, which provides an opportunity for student fee reduction or waiver as well. Families also have the option to pay fees according to a repayment plan in order to alleviate any financial burden. The business office works with many families to waive fees based on their socioeconomic needs.
