An aerial view of Maple Lake District 881 facilities north of Highway 55 in Maple Lake.

2011 proved to be a tough budget year for Maple Lake School District 881.

In February 2011, the Maple Lake School Board meeting room was filled with staff ready to voice their opinions on a budget shortfall which resulted in $294,781 in cuts in an effors to reduce a big deficit near the $500,000 mark.

The district was facing a potential budget shortfall for 2012 due to flat funding from the state over the last few years, rising costs, and a dip in the school’s enrollment.

The debate on the cuts continued in a special meeting called by the board at the end of February 2011, for more discussion of the anticipated deficit and the adoption of the resolution of 14 cuts:$9,500 in the activities department including the cheerleading program, 848 hours/year of summer student office help, 848 hours/year of summer student maintenance help, 364 hours/year from elementary cafeteria aide staff, 12 hours/week of St. Timothy School Title I teacher time, 282 hours/year from the copier budget, 351

hours/year from one paraprofessional position, 735.25 hours/year from another paraprofessional position, 1,211 hours/year from a third paraprofessional position, 0.5 FTE from Physical Education Overload, 0.1 FTE from Social Studies Overload, 0.06 FTE from a Gifted and Talented teaching position, 1.0 FTE from a Special Education teaching position, and 0.5 FTE from elementary teaching positions.

In June, Redemske and the building principals sat down in an effort to find more budget cuts for the next school year because the preliminary budget was set at $9,213,738, with $8,717,560 in revenue for a shortfall of $496,178. Possible additional cuts discussed included $1,200 for snow removal, $1,500 for postage and about $4,000 saved for testing expenses.

Redemske said, “There’s not a lot to trim because much of the budget is in salary and benefits.” School board changes The school board welcomed three new members to Maple Lake Public School District 881. Shelley Liljequist, Brad Neutz, and Rick Thomas began their service to the district with eagerness as they volunteered for various committee positions within the school board requirements.

Liljequist has naturally shown interest in the district’s finances, for she is a bookkeeper/office manager and also is a business owner. She is using her experiences to help make tough choices and for long-term planning.

“I am excited to learn,” said Liljequist.

Neutz expressed his interest in the state and district’s financial situation, as well as the Wright Tech Program, for he has years of experience working in the financial sector.

“Budget is complicated, but I would like to aid in controlling costs without

continued on page 20

-