Forest Lake Area Schools — Transcript
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program Feedback
Alternative Learning Programs at Forest Lake Area Community School (FLACS)
College in the Schools (CIS) Statistics Class
School Counseling and Mental Health Initiatives
FLACS Mission and Vision Statement
State Legislative Engagement and Advocacy
City of Forest Lake Infrastructure and Governance
District Academic Assessments and Spring Events
School Board Self-Evaluation Planning
School Board Vacancy Application Process
Superintendent Search Stakeholder Survey Results and Candidate Selection Process
Votes (8)
Donations
Moved by Member Castle [01:09:15] · Seconded by Member Corcoran [01:09:20]
The board reviewed a substantial list of financial donations from various foundations, booster clubs, banks, and individuals, totaling over $35,000. These donations supported diverse programs such as hockey, dance team, families in need, disc golf, space camp, outdoor recreation, and the FFA chapter, including a significant amount for the John Lattigar Memorial Fund for the Ranger Football and Track Stadium. Board members expressed gratitude and humility for the community's generosity.
FLA Staff Retirement Notices
Moved by Member Castle [01:11:50] · Seconded by Member Corcoran [01:11:55]
The board considered the retirement notices of two staff members: Halid Kasovic, a custodian at Forest Lake Elementary School (effective May 30, 2026, after 3 years), and Lisa Bad Voice, an AD SIS teacher at Columbia Elementary School (effective June 5, 2026, after 9 years). The administration recommended approval of these retirements.
2026-2027 Budget Adjustment and Right-Sizing
Moved by Member Antonsen [01:30:40] · Seconded by Member Corcoran [01:30:45]
Dr. Maske presented the district's plan to right-size its operations by $1.5 million for the 2026-2027 school year, driven by declining enrollment, increased expenses (including teacher salary agreements), and a 2.69% increase in per-pupil funding on only 60% of revenue. The plan utilizes $1.1 million from ESSER grants, special education funding, and interest income, with the remaining $400,000 addressed through a reduction of six teaching positions. The superintendent noted that efficiencies gained from 'Reimagined 2025' (elementary school consolidation and 6th-grade move) allowed class sizes to be maintained. Board members also discussed the need for additional middle school counseling support and potential state-level special education funding cuts.
Adopt Resolution Relating to the Termination of Non-Renewal of Probationary Teachers
Moved by Member Tyson [01:33:10] · Seconded by Member Corcoran [01:33:15]
Dr. Massey presented a list of probationary teachers for non-renewal of their contracts. Reasons for non-renewal included positions being filled by teachers returning from leaves of absence, performance issues, or overall staffing needs aligned with the district's budget adjustments. The administration recommended approval of these non-renewals.
Recommendation to Approve Spanish Immersion 6 and Spanish Immersion 7
Moved by Member Corcoran [01:36:00] · Seconded by Member Tyson [01:36:05]
Director Jacobson proposed creating new semester-long elective conversational Spanish immersion opportunities for 6th and 7th graders at the middle school. This change was based on a significant drop in registrations for social studies taught in Spanish and strong student interest in 'real-world' conversational Spanish. The middle school administration and Spanish department supported the shift, which would replace Spanish social studies and ensure all social studies are taught in English. The program is expected to serve around 40 students.
Approve Proposal for Employee Group Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
Moved by Member Castle [01:40:50] · Seconded by Member Corcoran [01:40:55]
Dr. Massey presented the results of an RFP process for the district's employee group life and LTD insurance, involving eight carriers. The recommendation was to remain with Madison National Life Insurance Company, which offered the same benefits at reduced rates. The new group policies, effective October 1, 2026, would have a combined bid life and AD&D premium of 0.124% per $1,000 and an LTD premium of 0.29% of covered payroll. The board expressed satisfaction with the reduced cost for identical coverage.
Ratify the 2025 to 2027 Forest Lake Principals Agreement
Moved by Member Castle [01:44:00] · Seconded by Member Corcoran [01:44:05]
Dr. Massey presented a tentative agreement with the district's principals' collective bargaining group for the years 2025-2027. Key updates included the addition of an 11th year of experience factor at $5,050 (effective January 1, 2026) and corresponding salary increases across different principal levels, all within the board's provided parameters. Discussion clarified general stipends for expenses including in-district travel and praised the principals' dedication, experience, and critical role in driving high-quality instruction.
Request Permission to Bid Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Work at Maintenance Building
Moved by Member Corcoran [01:49:15] · Seconded by Member Castle [01:49:20]
Dr. Massey requested permission to bid for long-term facilities maintenance (LTFM) work at the district's maintenance building to comply with bid laws and secure the best pricing. ISG will serve as the engineering firm, with district personnel acting as construction managers. The project will address roofing, sprinkler system, and heating/cooling system upgrades for the building, which was last remodeled in 1985 and historically served as a hockey rink. Board members acknowledged the visible need for the work and commended the maintenance staff's dedication.
Notable Quotes (10)
I'm so humbled by that. The generosity here and it just keeps going and giving and we are so fortunate and blessed.
The good news is we aren't losing enrollment at the rate that we have been in the past. In fact, the last couple years enrollment has been steady. In spite of and in in the midst of declining birth rates, we are actually stabilizing in terms of our enrollment and not seeing the enrollment loss that we have um the previous 10 years.
I would really like to see another counselor at the middle school. Um and I think that would be really important. Adding the sixth grade there, if there's a way we can find that um and work through that.
Efficiencies and optimizations are probably the hardest thing that you can do. It's really easy to make classes small by hiring a whole bunch, but that's not sustainable.
The uh students registering asking for a conversational uh everyday immersion Spanish has held pretty strong in the last five or six years. Uh our registrations for social studies taught in Spanish have dropped by more than half.
I think this shows that the the district can be nimble and we can react quickly and we can find solutions and um we wish we would have had it in in the program for this year, but uh we corrected that quickly.
They're offering the same coverage at actually a reduced cost. That's what it appears to me. Yes. For five years. Yeah, that's great. The the miracles never cease.
Great schools require great principals. They do. You're going to have pockets of great things taking place. You have you know, great teachers who will do great work. But you're not going to have a system that drives that level of performance across the system without a highly skilled principal.
And then I would add to that to say that they're well respected, they're well liked by the students, the staff, everybody. And so, they're they're the boss in the room and they do it in a manner that uh gains respect from the students and the staff. And that's commendable.
I was just going to say that I'm a new member of the buildings and grounds committee and we met at the maintenance facility, which I'd never been inside of um I don't know a couple of months ago. And it was really impressive all the work that they're doing out of that older building.
Ordinances & Resolutions (7)
Minnesota legislature bill approved unanimously to explore the possibility of a local sales tax vote for financing a new public works building in Forest Lake.
District initiative involving the reduction of one elementary school, moving 6th grade to middle school, and boundary readjustments to create efficiencies and balance enrollment.
Federal law related to non-discrimination in education, with the Department of Justice filing a lawsuit against the state of Minnesota for non-compliance with its federal interpretation.
A screening tool similar to what students use in the SOS program to survey for symptoms related to mood.
A federal grant ($1.4M awarded last year) used to fund academic support personnel and offset district's general fund expenses.
New state assessment standard for reading, math, and science.
Curriculum implemented in summer school and integrated into behavioral interventions to enhance character development, relationships, and social-emotional skills.