Lake Park Audubon board approves broad staffing and budget cuts, eliminates middle-school principal role

The Lake Park Audubon School Board on a divided vote approved a broad set of budget reductions aimed at closing a multi-hundred-thousand-dollar deficit, including elimination of the district’s dedicated middle-school principal and cuts to districtwide and secondary staffing.

Superintendent Dr. Berquist told the board the measures are painful but necessary given projected revenues and enrollment trends. “I hate it. I hate that we’re losing great quality people,” Dr. Berquist said as he introduced the administration’s recommended reductions and explained the budget was “fluid” and subject to change if enrollment increases.

The motions the board approved included district staffing cuts totaling roughly $553,115 and secondary staffing reductions around $324,162. The district vote to adopt district-level reductions — which the motion explicitly included eliminating the middle-school principal position — passed by roll call after members debated implications for nurses, activities oversight and contracted services. Board member Cole voted against that motion, while others voted yes; the motion passed by majority.

Board members pressed administration on how the district will meet legally required health services if the nurse position is reduced. Carissa Carlson, who identified herself as the district nurse, told trustees that Minnesota law requires a licensed nurse to oversee delegation and training of unlicensed staff for medication administration, wound care and other clinical tasks. “Your administration cannot observe the duties of your nurse,” Carlson said, stressing that any alternate plan would need MDE approval.

Members also approved secondary staffing reductions covering FACS, science and other positions; the board agreed administrators and remaining staff will absorb some responsibilities and the district will examine contract options where licensed services are required.

The board adopted extracurricular and miscellaneous reductions, trimming coaching stipends, some travel and other activity budgets. Trustees discussed volunteer coaches, background checks and Minnesota State High School League rules before approving the extracurricular package.

The board emphasized that the reductions are not necessarily permanent. Several trustees said the decisions are reversible if enrollment or revenues improve. After a tense debate over class-size trade-offs, the board voted to retain the preschool (pre-K) teacher position for the moment to preserve capacity while registration continues.

Next procedural steps: the board set a work session for April 8 and a regular meeting for April 27, at which administrators plan to bring updates on enrollment, contract options for required services and any revisions to the staffing plan.