Members of the Audubon School District’s Board of Education held a Special electronic meeting by Zoom, Monday night. During their session, Superintendent Eric Trager said an error on the budget meant that a hearing on the budget would have to be postponed until their regular meeting on April 20th.

Trager said the error showed the FY 2020 Tax Levy was $11.69/$1,000 valuation. What was published in the local paper for the Monday meeting, showed a Tax Levy of $11.67/$1,000, which includes the bond payment on the $7.5-million. Trager said he missed including the Dropout Prevention Levy, which he said “Is a pretty significant levy. Without that our tax levy actually went down.” The corrected budget, which was submitted to the paper, includes: the DOP (Dropout Prevention Levy); Debt Service for Building Project (the $7.5-million bond) and the refinancing of the 2013 Bond.

Trager said “The levy is still well below the 73-cent increase we promised to stay below, with the new building project.” The levy will come in 21-cents over last year’s mark, which was keeping in-line with what was promised.  In other business, The Audubon School Board approved a Pre-Levy Issuance Resolution authorizing the issuance of $9.11-million in General Obligation School – and Refunding- Bonds, and the levy of tax for payment thereof.

The Resolution allows the district to sell Refunding Bonds to pay-off the existing debt from the 2013 Bond. It includes the $7.5-million in new G.O. issue plus $1.61-million in Refunding Bonds.

The Board also approved contracts for DeAnn Leiting as School Social Worker for the 2020-21 School Year. Her services will be shared 50/50 with the Coon Rapids-Bayard School District. And, they approved a contract for Elena “Lanie” Pelzer as 5th Grade Teacher.

And, the Audubon School Board approved a recommendation from Superintendent Eric Trager, for a 3.25% raises for those employees not represented by a Collective Bargaining Unit, with the exception of: Natalie Lange, Office Business Manager (5%); Sam Graeve. K-4 Principal/Curriculum Director (a flat dollar amount of $27.50 for each year (this is the second year of his agreement), and Cass Muzney – Head Custodian (3.25% plus $1,000).