During the recent Big Lake School Board meeting, Big Lake City asked the school board to approve an easement for a sidewalk connecting 203rd Ave. to the school facilities and, ultimately, to local parks and trails in the area. The city won a grant to complete the work, but just needed the official approval of the board before they could proceed. The board members discussed the project and tossed out a couple of ideas, including putting up a sign showing the hours where the school park could be used by the public. The board granted the easement to the city. 

Financial Report

Enrollment was up again in March, as 14 new students joined the district. Increased enrollment is always good news for the district from a financial standpoint because the number of students attending affects funding the school receives and increases their budget. 

The financial team is continuing to monitor legislative activity at the state level which may impact the district’s budget in the future. 

Currently, Business Manager Angie Manuel and her team are working on transportation negotiations as well as which construction projects around campus will extend past June 30th (into the district’s next financial year). These items will return for council consideration at the May meeting. 

Donation Funds

Several years ago, the school received nearly $30,000 to build a pavilion out at Liberty Elementary School. However, COVID-19 hit and put a damper on the school’s ability to continue raising funds for the project. The amount of money they have would not be enough for the project it was originally intended for, and the nonprofit that donated the funds has since dissolved. One of the board members spoke to one of the former leaders of the nonprofit, who said it was ok if the school used the money for something else at this time, though they wanted it to be known the fundraising was intended to benefit student athletics. 

The board therefore decided to move the money into the activities fund, and they will speak with the activities director on potential uses for the funding. 

Supt.’s Report

Graduation will be May 30. The commencement ceremony will take place in the (newly airconditioned) gym so weather won’t be a concern. 

Several students were being honored the same night of the board meeting at a “Students of Excellence” dinner. 

Superintendent Tim Truebenbach said he was working on a project with partners from Wright Tech on possibly opening a food shelf. This plan is still in very early stages. 

Manuel had been asked to investigate the passibility of increasing the operating referendum. She looked into how to increase the referendum with minimal tax impacts. 

“I think we have a financial storm coming, and this would help us stay afloat,” Manuel said, referring to talks at the legislative level of cutting education funding. 

Manuel alluded to increasing the operating levy from $30 million to $36 million. But, of course, this is something that will need to be investigated and discussed going forward.