In its regular meeting Monday, June 15, the Pequot Lakes School Board voted unanimously to approve the district’s budget for the 2020-21 school year.
The district expects to operate in the next school year with a total revenue of $23,967,622 against expenditures totaling $23,969, 475 - a deficit of $1,853.
The board also approved a change to its activities handbook that states the school district will not fund participation in any national competitions, which are not Minnesota State High School League-sanctioned and can amount to costs in the thousands of dollars that is not in the budget.
“This recommendation is really rooted in protecting the district from unforeseen, unplanned costs that can be pretty significant,” Superintendent Chris Lindholm said. “Pequot Lakes has had a fair amount of success (nationally) - the robotics team twice, two speech kids, and then there is the trap shooting phenomenon where you don’t even have to qualify … The recommendation is not perfect. If we don’t pay for it and kids are still allowed to go, you create an equity issue.”
Lindholm made clear to the board that Patriot Activities Club funds are not district funds, and can be donated to nationally qualified teams.
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In other action Monday, the board:
Adopted a resolution relating to the election of school board members and calling the school district general election. Filing for school board candidacy will be open from July 28 to Aug. 11. Four four-year terms will be on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.
Designated Lindholm as the district’s identified official with authority, with district administrative assistant Brenda Williams designated back-up official. This is an annual action the board takes each June.
Approved a single donation to the district of $200.
As a part of its consent agenda, the board approved the hiring of middle-level football coach Alex Diaz, middle-level girls basketball coach Chad Rudbeck and information, data and assessment coordinator Megan Carlson. It also approved a leave of absence for van driver Karen Johnson.
Board member Susan Mathison-Young was not in attendance.
The board’s next meeting Monday, July 20, will take place at 6:30 p.m. instead of 6 p.m., with its work session to take place an hour before.
Dan Determan may be reached at 218-855-5879 or dan.determan@pineandlakes.com. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@PEJ_Dan.
