The Red Wing School Board voted on May 2 to issue $1.7 million in long-term facility maintenance bonds.
As soon as classes conclude crews will begin replacing the district’ aging fluorescent lighting.
The estimated cost to update every building with LED lighting is $1.9 million, with a projected annual energy savings of at least $85,000, plus $100,000-200,000 savings in the elimination of routine fluorescent bulb and ballast replacement plus the labor costs to do so.
In other business, the board:
· Approved $1.2 million in cuts to the 2022-2023 budget. Most of these will come through staff attrition. The board agreed to use about $240,000 in general fund reserves to balance the budget, but not if the Minnesota Legislature increasing school funding.
· Responded to the Native American Parent Committee resolution of non-concurrence. District actions will include for at least two years providing diversity/anti-bias training intended for all employees during the opening in-service week.
The board also authorized the superintendent to contract with Inflexion, an education firm, to help the district conduct short-range and long-range planning. This is possible thanks to a Jones Family Foundation grant.