MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Board of School Directors on Tuesday, Oct. 28, approved Superintendent Brenda Cassellius’s final budget for the 2025-26 school year.

The $1.6 billion budget increases the district’s portion of the property tax levy by about $8 per $100,000 of assessed value, a 2.95% rise that remains below the 12-month inflation rate, according to a Tuesday MPS press release.

Cassellius said the plan "maximizes resources for students and schools while demonstrating fiscal prudence and responsibility." Board President Missy Zombor added that the budget expands extracurricular opportunities for middle and high school students.

Key changes from the preliminary budget include $20 million more in state special education funds, $32 million in state aid aided by the 2024 referendum and $22 million less in vacancy savings to strengthen future planning.

The district also claims to have reduced expenses by $11 million to reflect lower enrollment, eliminating 54 vacant positions without layoffs.

Cassellius said work has already begun on the 2026-27 budget.