2011-2012 Revised Budget
Next year’s revised budget shows only a $80,430 fund balance, but still positive. “We show an improvement in fund balance for the fourth year running,” Wellen said. Additional factors to be considered in the future include reductions in funding with the end of Stimulus dollars, and continued declining enrollment.
Dairy and bakery bids
Dean Foods again won the dairy bid, and Sara Lee was again the winner of the district bakery contract.
“Our local bakery apparently declined to bid, though we made the offer,” said Wellen. “Presumably they can’t handle the volume. Last year they submitted a bid but the price was out of range.”
Donations
Donations were accepted from Central Harvest States and Central Valley Coop, each for FFA and each for $500.00.
Social Studies textbooks
New materials for elementary Social Studies were approved for purchase. These include textbooks from Houghton-Mifflen-Harcourt for grades 3-6 for approximately $15,000, and supplementary study materials from Kystrom/Herff Jones for grades K-2 for approximately $7,000. These new materials provide better support for Minnesota history, according to the elementary staff.
Bus driver
Dale Agrimson was approved to hire as route bus driver, replacing retiring driver Kermit Kalke.
Ellendale parking lot
The district is seeking bids to expand the Ellendale south parking lot, providing a second driving lane to provide a loop for the buses. They will then be able to drop students at the corner by the gym, loop, and load, thereby taking all bus loading off the street. It will also add 52 additional parking stalls, and the expanded space could provide up to 100 extra parking spaces on event nights. Cost savings will be possible by using power poles to hang lighting. This plan is also a safety measure, so Crime Levy dollars should be available to help with the costs as well.
Additionally, a garage will be built between the expanded parking lot and 8th Avenue, as discussed previously. A bid has been made for the entire job, which may be approved at next month’s meeting.
Bids will be reviewed at the July meeting.
Track
The condition of the track has been a matter of concern for some years. It was put in 15 years ago and expected to last 10-12 years. The blacktop is now cracked and much of the surface is degraded. Mr. Stork chose not to hold subsection meets on the track because of its condition.
The options are either to first scrape the top off and have a look at the material underneath for a smaller price, then possibly pay just for a 2” overlay, or simply mill the whole existing surface into a new one. It’s likely that’s what will be decided on, since the track almost certainly needs to be replaced anyway. Also, the cost of adding a new blacktop doesn’t include the additional cost of the new track surface over that, and the total expense could go well into six figures.
Wellen suggested that the district could soften the blow by skipping a year in their roofing program.
Board members discussed the fact that when the track was installed, maintenance was recommended, but this wasn’t pursued since it would eventually need resurfacing anyway.
“I see this (resurfacing the track) as more of a maintenance expense than a new capital expense,” said board chair Rick Schultz.
This issue will also be acted on next month, when the board holds their organizational meeting at Ellendale.
Special meeting
At a special meeting held last Monday, June 13, the district terminated the contracts of probationary teachers Justin Timm and William Broderius.
