On Wednesday afternoon, South St. Paul athletic director Rich Dippel was one of 20 people from around the state who met in Ottertail, Minn., to discuss ways to solve the problems many schools have in funding sports and other activities. (Read about that meeting by clicking HERE.)

This morning, Dippel was told that his job was being eliminated because of funding shortfalls in his district.

Here is an excerpt from an email Dippel sent out today:

“I was informed that because the legislators from our area, in a meeting with the School Board, informed the School Board to not expect new money in next year’s funding formula, the district was going to make some moves to get ahead of what the administration believes to be a $1 million shortfall for the 2009/2010 school year by making additional cuts to this year’s budget.  These cuts include the elimination of the Activities Director’s position.

“At this point I have no information on how the district plans
on conducting the Activities Programs or how they anticipate
administering these programs.  I also have no information on any additional cuts that the district is planning on making.”

When it comes to high school activities in Minnesota, the wolf is clearly at the door.

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