Forest Lake Area Schools — Transcript
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Tribute to Outgoing Superintendent Dr. Massie
Industrial Technology and Career Pathways Program Review
School Year End Celebrations and Positive Happenings
MSBA Updates and Strategic Plan Progress
Introduction of New Director of Teaching and Learning
Votes (5)
Approval of Consent Agenda Items 7.1 through 7.4
Moved by Member Castle [00:43:08] · Seconded by Member Antonson [00:43:09]
The Board moved directly to a vote on the consent agenda items, which included the authorization of Katie Lorren's transfer to Director of Teaching and Learning.
Acceptance of Donations
Moved by Member Reveline [00:44:00] · Seconded by Member Antonson [00:44:01]
Member Castle presented a list of donations totaling $45,111.17 in monies and goods from various booster clubs, foundations, individuals, and a local resident. The board expressed gratitude for the continued community support.
School Board Vacancy Discussion of Next Steps
Moved by Member Castle [00:47:32] · Seconded by Member Antonson [00:47:33]
The board discussed its legal obligation to fill the seventh member vacancy, noting the 90-day rule before the November 2026 election. A timeline was proposed to open applications by July 2nd, with a due date of July 24th, and to discuss selection criteria/rubric at the July 16th meeting. The board aimed to appoint a new member by the August 6th meeting, with the new member becoming eligible around September 5th.
Approval of Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Plan (LTFM) for Forest Lake Area Schools
Moved by Member Antonson [00:50:39] · Seconded by Member Corkran [00:50:40]
Director Remberg presented the LTFM plan, detailing upcoming projects at Wyoming, the maintenance building, and Forest View. She explained that the district's 1A all-facilities status in 2022 led to a restricted fund balance being negative due to spending levy dollars before bond dollars. This necessitates a revenue adjustment in FY27, creating a deficit on paper, though the budget is structurally balanced without this accounting adjustment. The plan ensures proper maintenance while supporting a projected $7 million unassigned fund balance at the end of FY27.
Adopt 2026 to 2027 Budget
Moved by Member Antonson [00:54:15] · Seconded by Member Castle [00:54:16]
Director Remberg presented the 2026-2027 budget, clarifying that an apparent deficit in the general fund is due to a specific accounting adjustment related to the LTFM plan and is structurally balanced otherwise. She detailed changes in revenue (per pupil funding increases, student enrollment, compensatory reductions, unfunded mandates) and expenditures (salary/benefits, severance reductions, equipment purchases). The budget maintains healthy fund balances for food service, community education, construction, and debt service, with the district evaluating future bond sales.
Notable Quotes (5)
Just it's June and school's out and so much so grateful for all these donations that continue.
So the statute is pretty clear one and we've talked a lot about this at the board table that the board must fill the vacancy. They don't get to decide we're good with the six member board. They got to make an effort.
So, I'd like to propose that we do it a little different this time that we stay away from talking about people in public meeting. Um, that can be an ethics issue. Um, we don't want to be disparaging anybody in public.
Um what's happening is in 2022, uh we became a one-year all facilities district, which allows us again with what we just approved, uh to do those projects that we need to maintain our long-term facility maintenance needs.
Um, structurally without the LTFM, it's a balanced budget. So, um, that's what we're presenting in that.
Ordinances & Resolutions (4)
Approved by the community, significantly increased district operating funds, lowered class sizes, improved wages, restored teaching/learning, and improved financial footing; extended for 8 years in January 2025.
A state fund that will be on the ballot for November 3rd, 2026, proposed to provide money for schools without taxes, with a committee formed to establish messaging and a plan to amend it to raise the revenue amount.
A district plan for maintaining facilities, undergoing an approval process to address current and future projects and reconcile accounting adjustments related to the district's 1A all-facilities status.
A document from the Minnesota School Boards Association proposed for use in evaluating candidates for the school board vacancy.