Forest Lake Area Schools — Transcript
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Story
School board deadlocked on legal counsel, newspaper, committee assignments
Student Achievement Programs (National Honor Society)
School Improvement Plan and Practice Profiles (Lynwood Elementary)
Legal Counsel Appointments
Designation of Official School Newspaper
Board and Committee Assignments
Staffing and Budget Reductions Resolution
Policy Updates (Administrator Code of Ethics, School Weapons)
First Readings of New Policies
Votes (11)
Election of School Board Officers
Dissent: Member Castle, Antonson, Rebeline consistently voted together. Member Tyson, Corkran, Christensen consistently voted together. Voting was split 3-3 for President and Treasurer.
Moved by Not explicitly stated for each nomination, procedural elections. · Seconded by Not explicitly stated for each nomination.
Nominations were opened for Board President, Vice President, Clerk, and Treasurer. A procedural rule was established for handling tied votes where the incumbent would carry forward if interested. Discussions included member qualifications for Treasurer based on MSBA training and experience.
Appointment of School District Legal Counsel (8.6)
Dissent: Member Tyson, Member Corkran, Member Christensen consistently voted against the proposed list and for reinstating the original firms. Member Antonson, Member Castle, and Chair Rebeline voted against reinstatement and for the proposed list. This led to a 3-3 split on both key votes.
Moved by Member Antonson [01:06:55] (to approve 8.6), Member Tyson [01:09:47] (to amend to reinstate Kennedy & Graven) · Seconded by Member Corkran [01:07:05] (to approve 8.6), Member Corkran [01:11:15] (to amend to reinstate Kennedy & Graven)
The proposed list of legal counsel omitted two long-standing firms: Kennedy and Graven, and Ratwick, Rosac, and Maloney. Board members expressed concerns about lack of transparency, the removal of trusted counsel, and the district's potential vulnerability without comprehensive legal services. The Superintendent reiterated the need for comprehensive legal counsel. Motions to reinstate the firms failed.
Approval of Routine Action Items (Board Assignments) (9.1-9.10)
Moved by Member Antonson [01:27:08] · Seconded by Member Corkran [01:27:10]
The board discussed and agreed upon representatives for MSBA, Minnesota State High School League, Schools Advocating for Fair Funding (SAFF - to be relinquished), AMSD, City of Forest Lake liaison, Special Education Advisory Council, Community Education, Agricultural Education Advisory Board, EMS & Healthcare Advisory Board, and 916. The chair noted that the individual filling the vacant board seat would be offered an opportunity to choose assignments later.
Appointment of District Superintendent or Designate School Board Chair and Vice Chair to Engage in Legal Counsel (9.11)
Moved by Chair Rebeline [01:27:36] · Seconded by Member Antonson [01:27:39]
This item followed the failure to approve legal counsel, making its approval for the Chair and Vice Chair to engage counsel critical. Member Castle recommended research for lack of representation. The Chair clarified that motions to reconsider the previous item could be made by members who voted 'no'.
Designate Official School Paper (9.12)
Dissent: Member Tyson, Member Corkran, and Member Christensen voted against the Pioneer Press. Member Antonson, Member Castle, and Chair Rebeline voted in favor. This resulted in a tie, and the motion failed, leaving no official school newspaper designated.
Moved by Member Antonson [01:29:41] · Seconded by Member Castle [01:29:42]
The Chair proposed designating the Twin Cities Pioneer Press as the official school paper, citing its larger circulation, flexibility for legal notices, and cost-effectiveness compared to the Forest Lake Times, which has moved its office out of the district. Board members opposed this, emphasizing the importance of the local Forest Lake Times for community connection and transparency. Concerns about 'heavy-handed' and 'non-transparent' decision-making were raised.
School Board Committee Assignments (9.13)
Dissent: Member Tyson, Member Corkran, and Member Christensen voted against the proposed assignments. Member Antonson, Member Castle, and Chair Rebeline voted in favor. This resulted in a tie, and the motion failed, leaving no board members assigned to any committees.
Moved by Member Antonson [01:36:13] · Seconded by Member Castle [01:36:14]
The Chair presented committee assignments, noting an attempt to create 'soft landings' for potential new board members filling a vacancy. However, several board members, including Member Christensen and Member Tyson, expressed dissatisfaction, stating they did not receive their preferred choices and raising concerns about the Policy committee having insufficient representation with only one assigned member plus the floating chair.
Action Items and Donations (10.1)
Dissent: Member Castle abstained due to a conflict of interest, as he had made one of the donations.
Moved by Member Castle [01:43:27] · Seconded by Member Antonson [01:43:30]
Several donations from various organizations and individuals were listed for school programs, field trips, uniforms, and projects, totaling $16,423.76.
Forest Lake Area School Staff Retirement Notice (10.2)
Moved by Member Castle [01:44:48] · Seconded by Member Antonson [01:44:50]
Notification of Kimberly Johnson Calhoun's intent to retire effective October 30, 2025, after 10 years of service.
Resolution Directing Superintendent and Administration to Make Recommendations for Reductions in Positions, Programs, and Services and Reasons Therefore for 2026 2027 (10.3)
Moved by Member Castle [01:46:25] · Seconded by Member Antonson [01:46:26]
Dr. Massie presented this as a routine annual resolution required by Minnesota statute to allow the administration to begin planning for the upcoming school year's staffing and budget, considering enrollment, retirements, and program needs.
Administrator Code of Ethics Policy 1306 (10.4)
Moved by Member Castle [01:48:19] · Seconded by Member Antonson [01:48:20]
This policy update established requirements for school administrators to adhere to ethical standards and professional conduct, with specific underlined language detailing disciplinary actions consistent with Minnesota statute.
School Weapons Policy 1501 (previously 532) (10.5)
Moved by Member Castle [01:49:50] · Seconded by Member Antonson [01:49:51]
The policy update aimed to ensure a safe school environment by revising the definition of a dangerous weapon and identifying new exceptions. Administration recommended approval of these changes.
Notable Quotes (17)
If we end up in a tie situation, per the legal guidance we've received, um assuming the current officer is interested in the position, that position would just carry forward.
The treasurer needs the school board member train shall re the school member shall receive trained school finance and management developed in consultant with Minnesota state board association consistent with section 127a.19 and it says it shall... I believe having someone that has training like member Christensen has training is a better advocate for that position.
I would just add for public disclosure purposes, we all board members as part of our onboarding do receive pretty extensive training including uh training in finance from our director of finance here. Uh so it's not as if member Castle's going in blind.
I'm wondering was that an administration decision or uh Dr. Massie. Um, to answer that question, I um I would say administratively we would recommend the continuation of Kennedy and Graven given their comprehensive um legal counsel that they would provide for the district and have uh throughout the years.
I just want to add that this just seems very kind of poorly communicated. I mean, collect as a collective body, Kennedy and Graven represent us, the board members. So, I'm just kind of dumbfounded. It seems heavy-handed. I don't know why they would be not on the list.
I would point out to the board that Jim Marshall um Jim um Martin rather, excuse me, is an independent practice, not a comprehensive law firm. Um, I think that ending on this list leaves the district a bit vulnerable to access to comprehensive legal service and um um just legal guidance and and some of those calls that we make are in the immediate.
It sounds very much like we are about to vote uh to let or to not have at least two firms represent us that our own superintendent is saying uh that we he believes uh that we would be I think the word you used was vulnerable uh if we did not uh have these firms on our list.
Only a member who was on the winning side of the decision would have the opportunity to bring it back for reconsideration. In this case, since 8 six failed to pass. Members Christensen, member Corkran, and member Tyson would have the opportunity to make a motion to reconsider, but myself, member Antonson, and member Castle would not have that privilege.
My recommendation is that we move to the Pioneer Press and that was in the proposed agenda um for the following reasons. Um, one, the Forest Lake Times is no longer a local newspaper to Forest Lake area schools. They have moved to Stillwater, which is no longer in the school district. Two, the Pioneer Press has a larger circulation than the Forest Lake Times.
So again, this is not transparent at all. I think we're going to have community members, parents districtwide that this isn't going to land well. Um, did you look up subscriptions member chair on how many parents districtwide get subscriptions to the Times over the years and cut out the clippings from their students um sports activity or cut out pictures that are in there?
I I think there's a misunderstanding on what the official newspaper bid bids. This is for legal notices. This isn't for the Force Lake Times doesn't cover our sports. The Force Lake Times, we we have them here this evening. The Force Lake Times can still attend our our meetings just like any newspaper in the state of Minnesota could.
I did not get my first or second or I don't even know probably third um committee assignment that I had requested. So I would be interested to see the pieces of paper that we all turned in and uh again were these these were just made by you um chair reblind these assignments
So, it feels to me like I just to concur with member Christensen, I didn't get the committees I wanted either and I've already been on communications and you're putting me there again. So, this is just you not facilitating in all of our best interests. It's doing what you want to do with committee placement.
I I'm just I'm really struggling with the policy. I mean that that is a very crucial committee and by having member Christensen not on there because she's been serving on that committee and has firsthand knowledge of all the policies going on and with the reviewing. I think at least she should be on there.
The board's approval of this resolution is related to Minnesota statute as it relates to the potentiality of making unrequested leaves of absences for continuing contract status teachers. Um we begin this process as I mentioned earlier each winter... to make recommendations for the reduction in positions, programs, and services and reasons therefore for the 2026 2027 school year.
Purpose of this policy is to establish the requirements of the school board that school administrators adhere to the standards of ethics and professional conduct in this policy and accordance with Minnesota law. Uh you'll notice um looking for your approval tonight is the language um underlined in in this policy related to the disciplinary actions.
Purpose of this policy is to assure a safe school environment for students, staff, and the public. You'll see the recommended changes from the policy committee. uh one in relation to the definition of dangerous weapon. Uh there's a list of different exceptions that are identified um new to this policy.
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
Relates to school board member training in school finance and management
Relates to disciplinary actions for violations of codes of conduct
Administrator Code of Ethics Policy
School Weapons Policy (previously 532)
Drug-Free Workplace / Drug-Free School Policy (First Reading)
Student Medication Policy (First Reading)
Public Participation in School Board Meeting Policy (First Reading)
Lynwood Elementary's strategic plan for academic and social-emotional growth
Tools used by Lynwood Elementary to define and ensure consistent implementation of core teaching practices like 'number talks' and 'morning meetings'
Assessment tool used for literacy, math, and social-emotional learning (SABERS)
Annual resolution authorizing the administration to plan for potential staffing and program reductions based on budget and enrollment projections