Forest Lake Area Schools — Transcript
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Public Comment on Ethnic Studies Course
2025 Delegate Assembly Review
Board Appointment Process Update
Buildings and Grounds Project Updates
Finance Committee Report
Communications and Customer Service
Curriculum, Instruction, and Equity Initiatives
Policy Advisory Committee Updates
Staff Welfare and Program Planning
Votes (6)
Mandated Reporting of Child Neglect or Physical or Sexual Abuse Policy 414A (previously 522)
Moved by Member Corkran [0:37:37] · Seconded by Member Christensen [0:37:38]
Dr. Massie presented Policy 414A, highlighting its purpose to clarify statutory requirements for school personnel regarding child neglect or abuse. The only changes recommended were updates to statutory references and language, making it largely a technical revision. The policy is subject to an annual review.
Mandated Reporting of Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults Policy 414B (previously 414)
Moved by Member Corkran [0:38:46] · Seconded by Member Christensen [0:38:48]
Dr. Massie explained that this policy clarifies statutory requirements for reporting suspected maltreatment of vulnerable adults. The only change proposed was a renumbering of the policy, from 414 to 414B, indicating a minor administrative update rather than substantive content changes.
Recommendation to Approve Personal Finances Course (11th or 12th Grade)
Moved by Member Corkran [0:42:50] · Seconded by Member Christensen [0:42:51]
Director Jacobson presented the new Personal Finance course, noting it's a response to a Minnesota statute requiring such a course. Previously an elective, it will now be mandatory. The course aims to equip students with essential financial literacy skills, covering earning, spending, saving, investing, borrowing, and asset protection. It will be offered to juniors and seniors. Board members expressed strong support for the course, acknowledging its long-overdue importance for student success.
Recommendation to Approve AP Business with Personal Finance Course (11th or 12th Grade)
Moved by Member Corkran [0:45:10] · Seconded by Member Christensen [0:45:11]
Director Jacobson introduced a rigorous AP-level course that combines personal finance with business principles, entrepreneurship, and marketing. Students in this course will engage in entrepreneurial and financial advisor projects, with the potential to earn college credit through the College Board. This course serves as an alternative to the standard personal finance course, catering to students with a deeper interest in finance and business pathways.
Recommendation to Approve Woven Histories Minnesota and the World as an Ethnic Studies Elective
Moved by Member Corkran [0:56:49] · Seconded by Member Christensen [0:56:50]
Director Jacobson presented the ethnic studies elective, mandated by Minnesota statute for the 2026-2027 school year. The course focuses on how various groups, particularly in Minnesota, have shaped the world, emphasizing research, discussion, and fostering curiosity about different backgrounds. The instructor's role as a facilitator was highlighted, aiming to create an environment where students can exchange diverse viewpoints respectfully. Board members acknowledged the course's importance and potential for 'hot debate' but expressed confidence in the instructors to manage discussions effectively and promote evidence-based thinking.
Recommendation to Approve Heavy Equipment Operation and Construction Courses (7.6 through 7.9)
Moved by Member Rebelin [1:07:37] · Seconded by Member Corkran [1:07:38]
Director Jacobson introduced a set of four new courses—Basic Construction Fundamentals, Basic Construction Math, Basic Maintenance of Mobile Equipment, and Exploring Construction Careers—developed in partnership with the local 49 Operating Engineers. These courses aim to provide students with entry-level skills, dual credit opportunities through North Hennepin Community College, and pathways to union membership. While the district won't purchase heavy equipment, the local 49 will provide practical experience. The courses are open to grades 9-12 and are designed sequentially. The discussion emphasized the immense value of such vocational courses for student engagement, attendance, graduation rates, and preparing students for employment after high school, particularly given the boom in skilled trades.
Notable Quotes (8)
No, I don't have any questions, but I'm just so happy that this is an option. We never had this at all when we were growing up or anything like this. And this is such an important thing for kids to be self-reliant and and have to understand finances. I mean, it's just a basic need. So, it's a it's a long time coming.
Minnesota's public schools are required to offer an ethnic studies elective.
I really like how there's they're working in groups and they're having that time to research but yet come together and learn from each other because I think that's really vital when you're studying something like this.
I'd also like to acknowledge that the fact that you know any student that signs up for this they need to be really open-minded when they go in there. They're going to hear things that they don't necessarily like to hear and there's going to be some, you know, hot debate in there. And I I think that'll be good.
I think the power of a course like this is to help students get beyond opinion and reach um develop thinking and ideas and thoughts that's that's based on evidence from their research from the materials that they can pull together.
Uh I would like to point out the district doesn't intend to purchase any heavy equipment.
Imagine being a high school student where none of the courses have relevance and then we wonder why they struggle getting to school or struggle graduating. This just further expands the opportunities that we have at the high school to tap into that interest base of many more kids and it will have an impact on attendance. These courses have an impact directly on graduation rates and it helps kids create purpose and meaning for coming to school and for what happens after school. These these courses have just immense value for kids.
I just think that parents don't always know, right? They don't know why and how why did this come up and how did and how did you come up with this? So I think it's just good to have it out there verbally. So people really know the process that it takes time and a lot of things go into the decision- making. So I appreciate that.
Ordinances & Resolutions (15)
Recommendation to approve an ethnic studies course, subject of public comment
State mandate (Second Save Time) that districts are struggling to fund
Achievement Integration plan, subject of committee discussion on timeline and goals
Drug and Alcohol policy with recommended statutory changes
Policy with recommended statutory changes related to epinephrine delivery systems
Public Participation at School Board Meetings policy, reviewed by committee
Template used as a basis for Policy 1206
Form required for families electing to stay at their current school after boundary changes
Mandated reporting of child neglect or physical or sexual abuse policy (previously 522)
Mandated reporting of maltreatment of vulnerable adults policy (previously 414)
State law requiring school districts to offer a personal finance course and an ethnic studies course
Organization through which students can earn college credit for AP Business with Personal Finance
Operating Engineers union partnering with the district to offer heavy equipment and construction courses
Online tool used by the high school for student interest inventories, informing course development
Group providing insights on emerging employment fields for course development