Anytime you see a deficit in the budget, it’s unsettling, said Brandon-Evansville Superintendent Don Peschel.

But, he noted that of the more than $345,000 deficit in the approved preliminary budget, $200,000 is related to construction, which the district planned for.

“We knew we’d be spending the money,” said Peschel. The tentative budget was approved at the Monday, June 15, regular school board meeting.

The expected budgeted revenues, according to business manager Kate Fernholz, are estimated at $7,142,353, with the budgeted expenditures at $7,489,294 – a difference of $346,941.

The district still has a projected fund balance of $2,708,595.

Peschel said he will continue to monitor the budget closely, start looking at some cuts, but wants to make sure programming, class sizes and staff are protected as much as possible.

New activities director

Trent Hintermeister, who is the current dean of students, was named the school district’s activities director. In addition, he is the head boys basketball coach and assistant baseball coach.

Hintermeister started in the Brandon-Evansville School District for the 2016-17 school year as a full-time special education teacher and part-time dean of students. He served in those positions for three years.

This past school year, he served only as dean of students. Starting this fall, he will serve the district as both the dean of students and the activities director.

Graduation

Graduation, which was postponed by COVID-19, is set to take place Saturday, June 27, at 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the Evansville school.

Graduates, who will be atop a flatbed trailer 6 feet apart, will be allowed to have six visitors that sit together. All other guests will have to stay in their vehicles to watch.

The ceremony is being conducted following social distancing guidelines set by the Minnesota Department of Education and the Centers for Disease Control.

Masks are being recommended but not required.

The ceremony will be postponed to Sunday if there is inclement weather.

In other action

The board also approved Mary Langlie as the election clerk and approved the filing dates for school board positions.

Filing for four open positions opens on July 28 and runs through Aug. 11. The positions are currently held by David Anderson, Kent Huisman, Tim Lauthen and Andy Siira.

School board positions are for four years. Election will take place Nov. 3.