The swimming pool at Ellis may soon pay homage to a local sports legend.

The Austin Public Schools Board Monday will discuss naming the Ellis Middle School after Albert “Bud” Higgins. A head swim coach at Austin High School for 21 years, Higgins was honored with a spot in the Minnesota Swimming Hall of Fame in 1986. During that time, he recorded 141 wins, 94 losses and three ties. He also coached the Austin Swim Club.

According to a past Daily Herald article, Higgins and his contemporaries helped design a pool at Ellis Middle School in 1975 so his swimmers could have their own facility and would not need to train at the YMCA.

 

Budget season

The board will also decide whether to approve its capital budget for the 2013/2014 fiscal year. Director of Finance and Operations Mark Stotts told the board in a memo the district would have a total operating capital revenue of about $1.46 million. Unlike the current year, the upcoming year will not have to account for $80,000 high school smart boards cost and will have approximately half the amount of building improvement costs. Instead, it will add $250,000 in the upcoming year for curriculum at the new I.J. Holton Intermediate School.

Separately, the board will decide whether to approve its integration revenue budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which largely goes toward the Success Coach program.

 

Other business

During the meeting, the school board will also:

—Decide whether to approve about $9,800 in gifts the district received from 16 donors between Jan 14 and Feb. 6.

—Recognize Inclusive Schools poster contest winners Jessica Hillman and Kelsey Swanson.

—Hear a construction update on I.J. Holton Intermediate School from Principal Jean McDermott.