We are inviting members of the St. Louis Park community to learn more about the Referendum. At an upcoming Referendum Community Engagement Session, members of the public will listen to a presentation explaining the one question, learn about its potential impact to the schools and how much it might cost taxpayers in St. Louis Park. 

This is a great opportunity to listen and ask questions. We encourage anyone to attend! A recording of the presentation will be made available on the website. The following events will be held in person: 

• Thursday, May 14 at St. Louis Park High School Cafeteria (5-6 p.m.)
• Monday, May 18 at Aquila Elementary Cafeteria (7-8 p.m.)
• Thursday, May 21 at Peter Hobart Elementary Cafeteria (6-7 p.m.) 
• Monday, June 1 at Susan Lindgren Elementary Media Center (4-5 p.m.)
• Thursday, June 4 at Park Spanish Immersion Media Center (7:30-8:30 a.m.)
• Wednesday, June 10 at Lenox Community Center (12-1 p.m.)
• Thursday, June 18 at St. Louis Park Middle School Performing Arts Center (8-9 a.m.)

For most families, the school week starts Monday morning with backpacks, buses, and busy routines. For Building & Grounds Supervisor Kyle Gustafson, getting ready starts earlier. On Sundays, Kyle checks the school boilers and building systems that help make sure schools are warm, safe, and ready to welcome students the next morning.

Kyle has spent 16 years working in schools and caring for the systems most people never see. During Minnesota winters, that often means checking boilers after hours, monitoring buildings in below-zero temperatures, and making sure schools are ready to open each day.

For Kyle, keeping the boilers running is personal.

“I think about the kids,” he said. “For some people, this is their safest place, and if we cancel school, they don’t have that. This is the most dependable place they have in their life.”

Service to schools runs deep in Kyle’s family. His father, whom Kyle describes as his role model, worked as a lead custodian for Richfield Public Schools for 33 years, and three generations of his family have served as boiler operators and custodians. Kyle continues that legacy in St. Louis Park Public Schools. 

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his 8-year-old daughter, riding his motorcycle, and ice fishing. But when Sunday arrives, Kyle always willingly sets aside his personal plans to make sure every student has a warm, safe school on Monday morning.

While families and staff may never see the early morning checks or late-night calls, Kyle’s work makes a difference every day. His commitment helps ensure our schools are ready to welcome, support, and inspire every student who walks through the door. Thank you, Kyle!

If the proposal is not approved, the District would continue to maintain and repair existing building systems and address future replacement needs over time.

Projects such as boiler and system replacements would still need to be completed. These costs would be paid from the District’s general fund, which supports day-to-day school operations.

As a result, funding used for these needs may reduce available resources for other budget priorities.

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