White Bear Lake Area Schools — Transcript
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Campaigning Rules on School Property
School Safety and Whistleblowing Law Discussions
Financial Transparency and Invoice Payments
District Sustainability Efforts
Superintendent's Annual Evaluation Summary
Non-Affiliated Employee Compensation
Community Outreach and Partnerships
Votes (4)
Approval of Consent Agenda (excluding 6b)
Moved by Thompson · Seconded by Ellison
The consent agenda was presented for approval. A board member requested to set aside item 6b (payment of invoices) for separate discussion. The remaining items on the consent agenda were then put to a vote.
Payment of Invoices (Consent Agenda Item 6b)
Dissent: Skaar
Moved by Ellison · Seconded by Daniels
Mr. Skaar questioned significant payroll credits on pages 28 and 30 of the invoice register, which he found unusual. Mr. Wald explained these were likely year-end closeout adjustments for payroll. The discussion escalated into a debate about Mr. Skaar's practice of routinely pulling financial items without advance notice, with other board members criticizing it as theatrics and creating doubt, while Mr. Skaar defended his right to question and offered suggestions for improved reporting formats.
Approval of Proposed Hourly and Stipend Amounts for Non-Affiliated Employees for 2026-'27 Fiscal Year
Moved by Daniels · Seconded by Thompson
Mr. Mons presented the proposal for non-affiliated employees, including coaches and advisors, explaining that their compensation parameters were aligned with collective bargaining trends and board guidelines. A board member inquired about the absence of specific amounts in the packet, which was clarified as information that becomes publicly available on the website post-approval.
Action on School Board Policies 210 and 509
Moved by Ellison · Seconded by Daniels
The policies were presented as a complete package for approval. There was no discussion from board members regarding these policies.
Notable Quotes (3)
I believe that Mr. Skaar uses the motion over and over again to create doubt and unfounded uncertainty about the district's finances and the people who are in the finance department.
Anything presented on the board to the board on the agenda can be questioned. I provided several alternatives to staff on how to provide this information in a more meaningful way to the public and not in a random manner.
How are they supposed to have this information for you tonight? And this is absolutely appropriate amount of money for year end figuring out things at the year end when they have to do their audits and they have to make sure that everything closes out right.
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
Rules governing the rental of district facilities, including for campaigning.
A recently passed state law requiring school districts to have anonymous whistleblowing mechanisms for security and threat matters.
Consent agenda item concerning the payment of invoices, which was pulled for separate discussion.
Overarching plan guiding the district's goals, including sustainability and student achievement.
Funding received to support milk carton recycling, reusable service ware, and organic waste sorting.
Third-party financing mechanism for solar panel installations, leveraging tax incentives.
Funding secured to diversify the district's fleet with electric school buses.
Plan guiding major facility projects and modernization efforts.
Specific projects related to facility improvements and construction.
School board policies approved as a package.
Funding obtained by a partner district to train staff in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, also offered to member districts.