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District facilities rentals bring rising revenue but raise staffing and scheduling challenges
Summary
Shakopee Public Schools reported steady growth in facilities rentals since 2021 and outlined opportunities and constraints — turf pricing, outdoor conditions, custodial workload — and a committed fund balance set aside for facility maintenance.
Shakopee Public Schools’ facilities and community education staff told the board Jan. 20 that rentals have increased each year since 2021, producing revenue used for maintenance and upgrades but also creating operational strains on custodial and supervisory staff.
Lisa Ron, director of community education, and Jamie Grossman, facilities use specialist, presented an update showing growth in “large events” revenue and described areas for additional rental growth: summer late afternoons/evenings, fall gym availability and newly renovated theater space at West Middle School. Grossman said turf fields are underutilized and that outdoor space use is limited by condition and maintenance needs. The presenters described recent capital investments paid in part from rental revenue: a $37,000 upgrade to theater lighting, TV screens over concession stands, Crestron controls for gym equipment and more frequent stage floor updates.
Why it matters: rental revenue supports ongoing maintenance and targeted capital projects but creates recurring workload for custodial and building supervisors. Grossman told the board the district is testing custodial schedule changes — rotating weekend assignments and temporarily closing some elementary buildings on alternate weekends — to reduce weekend staffing strain and maintain coverage for high‑demand events.
Key budget and governance notes: finance staff said the district has established a committed fund balance of about $287,000 in Fund 1 that is dedicated to facility improvements tied to rental capacity (for example: turf replacement, theater upgrades). The updated revised budget presented later in the meeting included this committed balance in non‑major fund projections.
Speakers (selected): Lisa Ron, director, Community Education; Jamie Grossman, facilities use specialist; Bill (last name Bonazzi), director of finance (explained committed fund balance).
Clarifying details and figures mentioned: facilities revenue and large‑event activity have “increased every single year” since 2021; a recent theater lighting upgrade cost approximately $37,000; district has created a committed Fund 1 balance of $287,000 for facility maintenance tied to rental revenue; toilet and stage floor maintenance and a Crestron control upgrade were also funded in part by rental proceeds. Grossman said some long‑term partners who were bumped because of schedule conflicts intend to return in 2026.
Staff next steps include marketing partnerships with the Chamber of Commerce to advertise spaces and using third‑party listing services to attract national events, as well as exploring pricing and usability changes to increase turf and outdoor space rentals.
Ending: Board members praised staff for revenue growth and encouraged continued outreach and planning to balance rental income with staff workload and school group priority use.
