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Lake Park Audubon board approves opening combined activities/buildings/transportation position amid projected $800,000 shortfall
Summary
The Lake Park Audubon School Board voted to create and advertise a combined activities director/buildings & grounds/transportation position while administration and consultants outlined options for an operating referendum to address an estimated next‑year shortfall of about $800,000.
The Lake Park Audubon School Board voted to create a new combined activities director, buildings and grounds and transportation position and to open the vacancy to both internal and external applicants, a move the superintendent said is intended to shore up operations amid looming budget challenges.
Superintendent Randy Bergquist told the board the district is facing serious financial pressure: "The projected cost next year of potential budget cuts ... is approximately $800,000," he said, adding that about $200,000 of that figure is tied to the teacher contract. Bergquist outlined two draft job descriptions (one detailed and one with percentage‑of‑time breakdowns) and said he had solicited input from bus drivers, coaches and staff while researching other districts' configurations.
Board members debated whether duties could be absorbed by existing staff, the risk of staff burnout and options to fund the role through ticket and sponsorship revenue. "We have to be very transparent in how this is paid for," one member said during the debate, urging the administration to identify offsets and creative revenue sources before finalizing compensation.
After discussion, a board member moved to "create a new position of activities director, building and grounds, transportation" and to advertise it externally and internally; the board approved the motion by roll call (majority in favor). The superintendent said he will draft a salary range, assemble a hiring committee and keep the posting open long enough to attract qualified candidates.
The vote came after a broader conversation about whether the district should pursue an operating referendum in November. The board invited Ehlers, the district's financial advisory firm, to present options and timelines; Ehlers explained how operating referendum revenue is spread on referendum market value, recent legislative tax‑base replacement aid that can affect local impacts, and the statutory August deadline to adopt a resolution for a November ballot. "You don't have to decide tonight," Ehlers' presenter said, but warned the board to gather updated tax‑base numbers before making a final referendum request.
The board will continue planning this summer, working to identify funding sources for the new position and preparing materials should it pursue voter approval of additional operating authority.
