Forest Lake Area Schools — Transcript
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Listening Session Report
Committee Meetings Streaming and Miking
Public Comment and Superintendent's Leadership
Student Achievement: Bleacher Captains
Middle School Program Updates
Best Buddies Program Launch
Positive Happenings
City of Forest Lake Report
Community Education Report
MSBA Report
Votes (7)
Superintendent Steve Massie Retirement Notice
Dissent: None
Moved by Chair Raphael [34:04] · Seconded by Member Tyson [34:08]
Dr. Massie announced his retirement effective June 30th, 2026, expressing pride in the district's achievements and gratitude to staff, administration, and his family. Board members shared heartfelt tributes, acknowledging his significant contributions to student achievement, enrollment growth, facilities, and district culture over 27 years. They recognized the challenge of filling his role but committed to continuing the district's progress.
Formal Adoption of Letter Regarding Federal Title 9 Compliance
Dissent: Member Tyson, Member Corkran, Member Christensen
Moved by Chair Raphael [36:09] · Seconded by Member Hagglund [36:13]
A letter drafted by the chair was introduced, expressing the district's strong support for immediate compliance with Title IX following a federal determination that the Minnesota Department of Education and MSHSL violated Title IX by allowing males in female sports and facilities. The letter urged state entities to accept the federal resolution, protect federal funding, preserve fairness in female sports, and safeguard female students' privacy. A point of order and an appeal regarding the motion's germaneness were raised and failed, with discussion on the timing and consultation of the letter's drafting.
MSHSL Girls Team Dual Wrestling Emerging Status
Dissent: None
Moved by Member Hagglund [43:24] · Seconded by Chair Raphael [43:26]
This item was initially on the consent agenda but was pulled. The discussion focused on whether the district should indicate support for the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) to establish a sponsored girls wrestling team. The chair and Dr. Massie clarified that this action simply signals interest and commitment for the district's existing girls wrestling team to join such a league, which they unanimously supported.
Donations to Forest Lake Area Schools
Dissent: None
Moved by Member Christensen [44:03] · Seconded by Member Hagglund [44:06]
The board considered approving two donations to the school district.
Forest Lake Area Schools Staff Retirement Notices
Dissent: None
Moved by Member Christensen [44:59] · Seconded by Member Hagglund [45:03]
The board acknowledged and approved the retirement notices of three long-serving staff members: Jennifer Franklin (elementary teacher, 30 years), Patricia Gunderson (cook helper, 5 years), and Cheryl Nelson (BIS specialist, 23 years). Board members expressed gratitude for their years of service and wished them well.
Forest Lake Area Schools 1300 Policies (Rescind 202-214 and Replace with 1301-1306)
Dissent: Discussion is ongoing for the amendment. Original motion to rescind and replace policies is still on the floor.
Moved by Chair Raphael [46:17] · Seconded by Member Tyson [46:25]
This item involved a motion to rescind a series of old policies (202-214) and adopt new ones (1301-1306), with policy 2011 (superintendent's job description) temporarily retained. The chair led a review of each new policy individually. For Policy 1302 (Superintendent Policy), an amendment was proposed to strike 'personal and' from the phrase 'personal and professional judgment'. This amendment was debated, with some arguing that personal and professional judgment are inseparable, while others sought to limit it to 'professional judgment' to mitigate bias.
Amendment to Policy 1302: Strike 'personal and' from 'personal and professional judgment'
Dissent: Member Antonson, Member Tyson, Member Corkran
Moved by Member Antonson [46:42] · Seconded by Member Tyson [47:38]
This amendment was proposed during the discussion of Policy 1302 (Superintendent Policy). The proponent argued for striking 'personal and' to emphasize professional judgment and mitigate potential personal bias, while others believed 'personal and professional judgment' were inherently linked and reflected the comprehensive experience of a leader. The motion was debated and brought to a roll call vote.
Notable Quotes (12)
Upon my retirement, I am confident that with exceptionally talented teams with whom I have had the opportunity to work, I will be leaving this district in a strong and well positioned place ready to excel into the future.
The ability of Steve to drive positive change even in challenging environments truly sets him apart. His commitment to students, staff, and the community is evident in every aspect of his work. This is a wholehearted endorsement of Dr. Steve Massie for this prestigious award which you will have to withdraw.
This is purely an opinion. We are not stating any legal fact or inferring any finding on our part whatsoever. We are stating an opinion.
So, I feel like there was just an ulterior motive behind 7.6 and that this is the result of you not informing the board where you're going and what direction you're taking.
And how is this um Forest Lake school district's problem? I guess is this a Minnesota State High School League problem? I don't see this as our problem. It becomes our problem when federal enforcement activities kick in and our federal funding is pulled due to non-compliance with Title 9.
This particular action on the consent agenda really is independent of any of that. We have a standing girls wrestling team that practices alongside the boys. They compete with other female teams. And the state high school league is exploring the viability of launching a sponsor or sponsoring women's wrestling um as a Minnesota State High School League sponsor team. And this resolution is simply a a expression of interest and commitment from the district should they proceed that we would want our girls team to be part of the league. And the answer is a resounding absolutely.
I just wish them well in their retirement. We had some 30 and 23. That's a long time. Appreciate all their years of service.
I would move to strike the words personal and from 3D.
I mean, I would argue that we hire someone for their personal and professional judgment. I mean, I don't know how how how you I mean, if if you have the history and the skills and the experience, you're going to have some personal judgment in there as well. I don't think it means personal judgment like me, I this is what I want. I mean I think it's like personal judgment like in my in my history in my experiences this I mean I don't think you can separate a personal professional judgment. I think they kind of go together. I don't think it's like me personal in like that. I think it's just like in the...
I think any judgment is at risk for personal bias and and I mean I think we'd be fooling ourselves as human beings if we didn't realize that. And I'm just the reason I think it should come out is because that just takes that as a you know it's not an accusation by any means. It's just a let's keep it to professional judgment.
I would move to strike the words personal and from 3D.
I mean, I would argue that we hire someone for their personal and professional judgment. I mean, I don't know how how how you I mean, if if you have the history and the skills and the experience, you're going to have some personal judgment in there as well.
Ordinances & Resolutions (15)
Mentioned as an old policy numbering system causing issues with new policy adoption.
District-wide plan discussed for potential modification and external facilitation.
Rules of procedure governing board meetings, with discussion of potentially increasing speaking terms.
Federal law discussed in the context of compliance and risks to funding if violated by the state regarding male participation in female sports.
Allegedly violated by state actions regarding levy re-up and unfunded mandates.
Allegedly violated by state actions regarding levy re-up and unfunded mandates.
State action on property tax levies, challenged by a community member.
State mandates without corresponding funding, challenged by a community member.
Financial instrument considered for building a new pool or upgrading an existing one.
A form for the school to commit to a potential new league-sponsored girls wrestling team.
Existing policies proposed to be rescinded and replaced.
New proposed policies for school district administration, superintendent, and related governance.
Existing policy serving as the superintendent's job description, proposed to be left in force and potentially renumbered later.
Grant awarded to the district to fund literacy and math intervention programs.
Assessment tool used during the MSBA retreat for team building.