Forest Lake Area Schools — Transcript
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Buildings and Grounds Update
Fund Balance Policy and Board Member Compensation
Preliminary Property Tax Levy for 2027
Permanent School Funding Amendment Communications
New Educator Onboarding and Retention
Achievement and Integration Plan Review
Policy Updates
District Enrollment and Open Enrollment Management
Votes (2)
Set the Preliminary Property Tax Levy Paid 2027
Moved by Unknown [00:41:47] · Seconded by Unknown [00:41:50]
Director Renberg presented the preliminary property tax levy, emphasizing the goal of maintaining stability for homeowners while ensuring district funding. The proposed maximum levy increase of 3.75% is slightly higher than the 3.5% tax base growth. The board certifies the maximum to account for potential changes in state calculations before the final rate is set in December. The estimated annual increase for a $500,000 home is $8.
Recommendation to Close Open Enrollment for K through 12 for the Remainder of the 2026-2027 School Year with the Exception of the STEP and Community Schools
Moved by Chair [00:43:40] · Seconded by Unknown [00:43:45]
Superintendent Jacobson recommended closing K-12 open enrollment, effective September 21st, for students residing outside the district, excluding STEP and community schools. The rationale is to maintain comfortable classroom environments as some class sizes are increasing and the district is currently above its budgeted enrollment. Board members discussed the impact on staff and prioritizing in-district students. It was clarified that students moving into the district would still be enrolled.
Notable Quotes (5)
Overall, the levy went up in a very similar way um to the um what the tax base went up. We always talk about that pie growing and we want to grow at the same rate. So, uh, tax base went up 3.5 and our levy is currently sitting at 3.75.
We always talk about why we certify the maximum. If you certify a number and something changes in any one of the 42 pages of math calculations that go into the levy, then you're unable to adjust for that. So that's why you want to certify the max. It doesn't saying you're going to do that. You set your rate in December.
At times we decide at this point it might be a good time for us to just in order to maintain our classroom environments and to keep class sizes in a comfortable place. Um we entertain the the the notion of closing open enrollment in certain schools.
It can be very difficult for staff as well. Teaching staff, people that work in the building, the makeup of the classroom. all of a sudden we have an influx of a student from here or there from other districts. And I think at this time of year, particularly when classrooms are getting settled down and teachers have a lot just building that community and all of those relationships that just adding people that are coming from their own district into ours is just kind of unnecessary and puts undue hardship on the teacher in the classroom.
And I would also add that we when we set our budget uh last year we staffed our district for a number of students under where we're currently yet. And so we want to at this point I would say because we're we're over we'd want to preserve any seats in our classrooms for families who live in our district.
Ordinances & Resolutions (8)
District policy, specifically Section 10 (remediation) and Section 5 (fund balance amount), under review for updates to board member compensation language.
The initial, maximum tax levy certified by the board in September, to be finalized in December, affecting taxes payable in 2027.
A proposed amendment to the Minnesota State Constitution appearing on the November ballot, intended to modernize public school funding from a state endowment.
District policies for employees and students being updated to reflect new statutory amendments.
A new policy codifying a statutory requirement against using district technology to alter images in an inappropriate manner.
A policy change to allow the board to grant high school diplomas to veterans of the Korean, Vietnam, or earlier conflicts who did not complete their education.
A new statute influencing minor language changes in district policy regarding the reporting of potential grooming behavior.
The district's current three-year plan (school years 2023-2026) for achievement and integration, with an annual progress review underway.