Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facilities topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board keeps weekend facilities closed as custodial shortage meets boiler inspection rules
Summary
Lake of the Woods School Board was told custodial staffing shortages and Minnesota boiler-attendance rules mean the pool, gyms and other public-use spaces will remain closed on weekends until licensed staff are available; staff said the closure is a short-term safety and compliance measure.
At a Aug. 25, 2025 working session, the Lake of the Woods School Board was told the district will keep facilities closed on Saturdays and Sundays until custodial staffing improves and a licensed boiler engineer is reliably available.
Superintendent said the district is currently down to 2.5 custodial positions and has limited licensed boiler staff. Under Minnesota low-pressure-boiler attendance rules, a licensed engineer must visually inspect boilers and record conditions when the building is occupied; the code limits unattended boilers to no more than 48 hours. The superintendent recommended closure to ensure both legal compliance and safety.
Board members asked how the closure will affect fob access, community users and scheduled events. Staff said facility-use requests (recitals, tournaments and other events) will still be processed via the district’s online facility-use form and that maintenance staff have agreed to accommodate certain scheduled events when possible. Staff cautioned, however, that allowing public events on closed weekends requires a licensed engineer to inspect the boiler, which may not be feasible until new hires are certified.
The superintendent noted the district is exploring several short-term staffing options, including creative schedules and support for custodial staff seeking boiler certification. The board and staff discussed whether levy funds could be reallocated to underwrite custodial time specifically for pool operations; staff said staffing — not operating-costs such as heating and chemicals — is the primary barrier to reopening weekends.
David Peterson was approved as pool coordinator at the meeting and will begin overlap training with existing staff ahead of a planned fall schedule transition. Staff said September will be a transition month for pool operations with a full schedule expected by October, contingent on staffing and required certifications.
The board framed the weekend closures as temporary and tied to worker availability and certification; staff will report back on hiring progress and any operational changes.
The working session adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
