District staff report progress on facilities projects but flag staffing gaps and delayed concession water

District operations staff reported several facilities projects progressing ahead of the school year and warned the board of continuing staff shortages.

Pat, who delivered the administrative report, said grounds crews have finished mulch work on one side of the campus and will move to the north entrance next week. He reported ceiling tile had been removed, grid work is mostly complete, and new light fixtures are scheduled for delivery the following Tuesday; once fixtures are installed the district plans a large cleaning of high‑school classrooms.

Pat also described the new press box as substantially complete — siding, windows, a door and a finished roof are in place and electrical rough‑in was done, with sheetrocking expected to start soon. Board members praised the field and relayed that visiting coaches called it one of the nicest in southeast Minnesota.

On the softball concession stand water hookup, Pat said the contractor is backed up and staff are "still trying to get that scheduled," and he expressed confidence the work would be completed before school starts. Board members noted the hookup had been promised for June and urged staff to secure the contractor appointment.

Board members and staff said the district is dealing with vacancies. An operations staffer stated the district is "down three and a half" positions and the board asked administration to propose short‑term solutions before the next meeting. Fall athletics were discussed: practices begin Aug. 13 and interviews for a hockey coach are underway.

The board approved the district’s 10‑year long‑term maintenance/expenditure plan as part of action items A–D; Patrick said the plan is an annual state reporting requirement to demonstrate funds are being used for maintenance. Facilities staff will submit the plan to the state and return with any budget implications.