I now call the regular school board meeting of Forest Lake Area Schools, Thursday, October 2nd, to order. Please join us while we recite the pledge of >> allegiance. Algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. Member clerk, will you please take the roll call of attendance? >> Sure. All right. Member Corkran here. Member Christensen >> here. >> Member Rebeline >> here. >> Member Castle >> here. >> Member Hagglund >> here. >> Member Antonson is here. And member Tyson >> here. Everybody's here. >> All right. We have a quorum. So I would entertain a motion to approve the meeting agenda. >> So moved. >> Second. >> I have a motion in a second. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Those opposed. Motion carries. Brings us to item number four, scheduled and unscheduled visitors. We will start with the listening session this evening. We had member Hagglund and member Castle. Who would like to provide the report first? Member Castle. So there were uh 14 attendees and 12 signers, people who signed to to speak, although not all spoke. Um there is lots of talk about the MCAs um how that they don't truly represent how our district is doing if any other district at all. Um the middle school um went from about 900 to about 1300 students and there are issues with the buses when they're early. The staff isn't there to uh be able to handle them. and then they're when they come late then they're late to class and everything. Um there's uh talk about uh wanting to stream the policy committee meeting so that uh you know full disclosure to everybody or at least have it so uh the folks outside the room can hear it. So if we can at least turn mics on and stuff. Okay. Um but it it would be good to stream it. Um there's talk about the policy adoption um and how the numbering doesn't necessarily line up with our numbering. So there's 999. There's no update to the new because we're moving our stuff into it and how it's been handled and everything. and the changes that we've gone from kind of saying here's the model policy with our policy and here's the model policy here's our policy how should we mend them meld them together uh talk about the strategic plan um including the request for an outside facilitator facilitator from the MSBA um like we did the last time when five years ago and we developed that plan even though we're might be largely modifying what we have because it seems to work good but times have changed so we need changes. Um, Robert's rule of order. Um, there was talk about increasing the number of speaking terms and what other districts limit to two and perhaps even just doing away with that rule so people can have dialogue with each other. Um, there's talk about the pool which has been going on for 30 years. Um it was it's estimated to about an $8 million for a new pool. Um perhaps we could upgrade the pool. Uh but we can't have diving or anything around here because nobody around this area has diving. So we're traveling everywhere to do our diving. So perhaps we could just, you know, put a diving well in as an upgrade as opposed to entirely new u facility and that would largely get many more students to come to the district who are interested in pool and families to move in because hey we have a pool with diving. Um, one of the members, uh, one of the visitors brought up Title 9, uh, that violating Title 9, uh, risks the services that we supply. Um, and that the state gets the funds and then they disperse them to all the districts. And it's, uh, probably between 6 and 8 million that we receive from that program. Um, it was stated that Minnesota violated not only the US Constitution, but the Minnesota Constitution when they did their levy reup where you can do it without asking the folks whether they want that. Um, and then also the unfunded mandates. Well, the unfunded mandates violate the Minnesota and US Constitution. I can't say that the levy re-update, but it violates one of them, right? So, there was a lot of discussion at the listening session with hard-hitting items. >> Yeah, it it certainly sounds that way. Member Hegeline, do you have anything to add? >> Yeah. Uh, member Castle covered it well. I just wanted to maybe update. So, the the discussion on the operating levy levy was that we still have time as a board to rescend it. The member who spoke didn't like that how it was handled and pushed through it at the very last meeting of that year before the new board was sat. And then along the lines of the con the unfunded mandates, he's working on a constitutional process to push back against the state so that that's not coming out of school district funding. And then just to um touch on the the pool, I think there was enough interest from the community that would like us to talk as a board if we want to uh go out for a a levy or sorry, a bond to build a new pool or upgrade the existing pool. Um it seems like there's a lot of community support behind that. So whether we engage the communications department to send out a survey or we just have it on the agenda and start discussing it as the board um be a good start. >> All right, a lot of really interesting topics there. Any questions for me cast member Hegman >> people who are in attendance? >> Uh there were around 20. >> Okay. >> Well, including >> you two >> the non-visitors. There was like 14. >> Okay. folks that came of the community. >> Great. Thank you. That's good. >> All right. Any other questions or comments? >> I think we go ahead. I mean, last meeting I mentioned that I listened to the Morris Leatherman survey on the Minnesota survey and I reported that one of the findings is that the it's not there for bonds. Support for bonds passing is way lower than levies. You have to really dial in what you want that bond for. >> That's right. and levies are passing better in the state of Minnesota and look more favorably to pass this fall in this election than bonds. >> And I believe that recording is still out there if anyone else wants to listen to it. It's great information. >> All right. The only thing I would add to that is it sounds like we had some really good suggestions. I I I'm specifically interested in the uh um suggestion about the committee meetings. We did have our strategic plan committee meeting um earlier this week. We did record that and I believe it was streamed in real time as well. We plan on having another one next week. Uh we plan on doing the same thing there. Um I think the more information and the more meetings that we can get out in front of uh the public the better. Um my personal hesitation on uh committing to recording the polic or the policy committee meeting specifically is we have six standing committees. That's a lot of work for staff and if we're going to record one of the committees, I think we should record all of them. Um, so I I I feel like if if there's concurrence of the board here, I feel like we could ask administration, not necessarily provide a directive, but ask administration to look into the feasibility of that and to see what it might take to to make those recordings available to the public. >> Does that seem reasonable? >> Yes. I think, excuse me, one of the other options that they said is if it cannot be live streamed, if at least the mics could be operable, which I think >> might be um a good starting point because then people in the gallery are able to hear what people are saying. So um and I might, you know, we could look into the feasibility of mking up the other committees as well. But um just from recent um interest or public interest, I mean I would say that the policy committee is the one uh in my opinion that has the most interest at this time. And so maybe we could start with that and then you know if we need to roll it out to the other committees, we can also the policy committee meets in here >> which you know we can have the mics operable in here um at a minimum so people can hear us. >> Yeah, that that sounds reasonable. Member Castle, >> there would be much more work for a committee meeting that's not in this room. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I if I if I can, I'd recommend um mikeing up the policy committee. See how that addresses the interest in >> engagement or listening in on the meeting as opposed to live streaming. That would there's a lot of technology and equipment involved in live streaming meetings. So, I would recommend that we start with just ming up the meeting and allowing folks in in the audience to hear the meeting. I think that's a good >> I might I might be getting ahead of myself here, but do we feel like we're in a position where we can we can at least do a trial run on the 23rd >> um when we come back for for committees for policy committee to be uh miked up and live streamed? >> Miked up and live stream or miked up >> um >> posted somehow. Um so maybe not live stream but at least made available to the public at some point after the fact. >> We can record the meeting. we can do a um a miked up meeting with relative ease. >> Okay. >> Um I think your point on setting a precedent of live streaming committee meetings >> is going to put a a real burden cost burden on the district. >> Yeah. >> So I would recommend we start with that recording the meeting posting the audio of the meeting is easy enough. >> Okay. Let's let's try that on the 23rd. We won't pass any official directive or anything here um this evening unless the board has an appetite to do so. I think this is one of those times where we give uh administration a little bit of leniency to see what's technically feasible because we want to get as much information out to the public as we can. And uh I think starting with policy seems reasonable. I would suspect there'll be an interest to uh expand that to finance probably shortly thereafter, but uh we'll see how the the interest grows. Member Tyson, >> I have one more comment on member Castle's report. He talked about the two comments that um that is also in a policy. So that would have to be changed within the policy and you just so I want to just correct that because you you didn't call it within the policy, right? >> About the Robert's rules. >> Yes. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Okay. >> All right. Lots of really good suggestions there. Um, if we have no other discussion on the listening session, we can move to green cards. All right, we will move to green cards. Um, although the board is not legally required to offer public comment, we believe it's an important part of community interaction and have included that on tonight's agenda. We ask that speakers keep their comments relevant to the indicated agenda item, be respectful, avoid personal comments about board members, and refrain from sharing private or sensitive information. This process is non-interactive. We request that everyone present be respectful of commenters and refrain from making their own comments or applauding to help keep things moving. Speakers will have three minutes. The clerk will give notification to speakers as their time is expiring. And the chair will strike the gavl once your time is expired. I've shuffled the deck of green cards and will call speakers by first name and last initial. Please be ready when it is your turn. Um, starting with uh Mary Beth H and on deck will be Susan Y. >> Good evening members of the board. Superintendent Massie and um red line. I appreciate going first. Actually, my name is Mary Beth Higgins and I've served in this district for two and a half two and a half decades. Um, I appreciate going first because it's pertinent to what you were just discussing as far as the policy committee and hopefully having that miked for full transparency and having it broadcast or reported so that um the public can watch it. I'm uh addressing agendum item 8.3 through 8.8. So, when I was looking over the agenda items and I was looking at the cover page where it says, "The schoolboard policy committee has reviewed these policies and is presenting it to the school board with noted changes." I was really surprised by this because I serve on the policy committee. And while the 1300s were on the agenda, we were not able to review those policies. So, that's where I was very confused by this. Um, I know that we only were able to briefly touch on 1304 because I asked a question um about the performance appraisal instrument that would be used for the superintendent's evaluation because my question was um what evaluation tool are we using and could the board just create their own evaluation tool? And I was told yes, the board just could create their own evaluation tool for the superintendent. So that's why I was asking to have this um broadcast for full transparency so that everybody can know what's going on. So I look forward to more discussion when this comes up on the agenda tonight. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mary Beth. >> Thank you. >> Um Susan Y and on deck is Claire L. >> My name is Susan Young. Uh 9950 199th Street North. Before my comments, I want to say that the Force Lake Rotary was very very proud to provide the grant to the swim and dive team that were so that they were able to get their underwater microphones and video cameras. Um those greatly helped the both teams swim and dive last year uh on their pursuit of state titles. Um so again, Forest Lake Rotary was proud to do that. What I wish to speak to tonight is one of those problems where if you don't learn from history, you're doomed to repeat it. And there are two two things that were personal to me um that I need to remind folks of. One, um several years ago, back when you were a principal, sir, um there was that the state of Minnesota uh highway department contracted with a M boy scout troop. um who the troop leader was an attorney friend of mine um to clean up Highway 61 in the vicinity of Forest Lake. Um while they were doing that activity, the troop was stoned by high school students. Um that that created a a terrible terrible image for Forest Lake as a community. Um really bad. Several folks here know that my daughter went to Minneapolis schools because I was employed in Minneapolis while she was in school. She chose to go to North High because it was a great STEM school at the time she made that choice. She was a soccer player. Um two weeks before school they they were starting some informal practices. Coach Sam uh asked all the girls to say, "Okay, where you from and how'd you get in soccer, etc." Um Wendy said she was from Forest Lake, etc., etc. Two girls came up to coach after practice and said we have to quit the team. Coach said why? This is this is going to be a great team. They said that girl is from Forest Lake. We're afraid of her. One was a Mung family. One was a Thai family. They moved to North Minneapolis because they were not safe in Forest Lake. The district and the community worked very very very hard to change many of the mores and behaviors in Forest Lake and in the high school and symbols and and apparel and flags are no long were no longer um a part of that that were considered demeaning of others. I sincerely hope that this board will not take us back to those really, really bad old days. I'm proud of Forest Lake these days. I wish to remain that way. Thank you. >> Thank you, Susan. >> Thank you, Susan. Um Claire L. And then on deck is Robert R. >> Good evening. Um, I'm here to speak about the 1300 policy series in front of you tonight. Um, I genuinely hope that each board member will support common sense administrative policies that allow the district to attract and retain administration that not only understands the history of our district, but that consistently promotes responsive policies for the safety and inclusion of all students. I also genuinely hope that each member of this board truly understands and appreciates the dedication and the depth of knowledge that our superintendent brings to this district because it has resulted in higher enrollment and test scores as well as a strategic plan that addresses the needs of all students which has created a better and more inclusive climate in our district. The overwhelming community and staff support for Dr. Massie shouldn't be a surprise to any school board member because in addition to having strong administration policies, we need responsive and pragmatic administrative staff to carry them out. In Forest Lake, we are lucky to have an excellent superintendent and administrative staff to align the district's operation, budget, and resources to serve students first. All while juggling state mandates, community pressures, sta staffing challenges, and board priorities. Whether that's providing more information about agenda items when requested, responsibly clarifying district-wide expectations for both students and community members at public meetings about slurs and harmful language, making sure that we have a safe boardroom that is free of in a parking lot free of hate symbols, or explaining policy language to board members perhaps unfamiliar with the history and context of them. As you all know, the policy committee spent quite a bit of time discussing uh a few of the policies um on the agenda tonight with Director Freriedman and making recommendations based on best practice. And while this board hasn't always accepted or acknowledged the work of the policy committee majority, I certainly hope it will tonight. As evidenced by the last 6 months, policy changes and language used to discuss them centered around personal ideology rather than legislation and MSBA guidance have consequences. Strong administrative policies are not just important, they are essential. They provide the foundation for consistent, transparent, and effective decision-making. They protect students rights, support teachers abilities to teach, and ensure the resources that we have are wisely and justly uh distributed. Without sound policies, our schools risk becoming inconsistent, reactive, and vulnerable to political pressure, and that harms staff morale, undermines trust with families, and more importantly, distracts from learning. I hope you'll keep that input in mind when you consider the 1300 policy series. Thank you. Thank you, Claire. And that brings us to Robert R. Welcome, Chair Raphael. >> Hello, board. I'd like to start I'd like to speak on agenda item 77. And I'd like to start by recognizing what an extraordinary leader Dr. Massie has been for our schools. Dr. Massiey's number one priority has always been student achievement. For him, every student deserves an education that is both rigorous, relevant to the individual, and fully prepares them for what comes next for them. He not only modeled this belief but was instrumental in helping every employee in the district to understand this is their me mission. Having come into the superintendent's job as a high school principal with elementary principal experience, he understands the importance of the entire journey from prek to graduation. As board members, we saw this firsthand when Dr. Massie rebuilt our teaching and learning department leading to the early adoptions of comprehensive elementary reading programs that are so important when kids reach middle and high school. Dr. Massie was instrumental in developing our career pathways, helping students understand the why behind their classes and giving them choices that are relevant to their lives. These high school options not only included one of the full sets of AP classes and concurrent enrollment in the state but critically strong options for the trades. From day one, academics and student achievement have been the top priority for Dr. Massie. As board members, Dr. Massie helped us understand the critical role the principles play in driving student achievement and improving instruction. Dr. Dr. Massie organized our district principles around student data, instructional improvement, and he gave them a voice in district initiatives. As tonight agenda item shows, Dr. Massie is also recognized leader in educating principles and superintendents throughout the state, teaching courses in principal and for aspiring superintendents at the University of Minnesota. The significant improvements in our graduation rates that we should see today show the importance of this work for principles. The community's respect and love of Dr. Massie comes from their understanding that he has always put our district kids first. Ensuring that a child gets the education they need to meet their life's goals and that a Ranger diploma is a ticket to future success, not just a piece of paper. Ensuring that our district infrastructure supports the high standards that we set for our students. Ensuring that district employees feel listened to and appreciated and are given the tools they need so that they can give their gift to our students. And finally, ensuring that as a parent, you know that your child, whether they are at the top of their class or they are struggling, when they walk through the doors of these schools, they are a ranger and they have an environment where they are loved and given the tools to fully succeed. Thank you. >> Thank you, Chair Raphael. >> Um, that brings us to student achievement. We'll start with student report captains. Principal >> Caldwell introduce Mr. Henned here very quickly. There he is. >> All right. Thanks, Mr. >> Thanks, board school board, Superintendent Nassie for having us here. Um, I say it every time I come here, but I feel like I'm the luckiest guy in the world getting to deal with these guys all day and hanging out with these guys and helping them make great decisions as they go. So, I will start with just a little history of the bleacher cabins. I did not come up with this. This was here before I got here. I would guess Mr. Massie, Mr. Olsson Caldwell was here when this all kind of came to f and it came in futition uh to kind of control our crowds. >> Um for the adults aren't always policing the kids. The kids are policing themselves and teach them to stay above the line when they're cheering, when they're doing their chance, when they're getting things done. So we work with these guys and kind of teach them and talk to them, you know, here here's what acceptable here's not this cross the line. Why does it cross the line? uh things we talk about, you know, saying their names, saying their numbers, anything personal, knock it off. You know, we try to get them to cheer for our team, not against the other team. Um we're not perfect. We're we're getting there. Um perfect example, there was a play called in the football game the other night. Wasn't wasn't a great call by the Raph. Our students said something they probably shouldn't have. I just turned around, looked at them, and went like this, and it stopped. You know, and that happens with relationships and developing these kids and getting them new. These guys obviously are on the fields. They didn't have anything to do with that. They would never do that cheer as they were. So, um that's where it's come from. Uh our conferences now, they they call theirelves super fans in the other schools. So, we have some stuff that we do together. Three times a year. We get all the super fans. We call oursel captains together. They do some team building stuff and all that stuff with them and they talk and they they uh basically teach them how to how to be leaders and what they're doing and and that kind of stuff. So, I'm going to turn that part over to them right now. They're going to get a few things to say, but just talking about the leadership. Conor's actually gone twice, I think. Yeah. >> I think I snuck you with last time, last year as a junior, and Tanner just went this fall with me. So, >> yeah. So, basically, we go to Introduce yourself first. >> I'm Conor Johnson. >> I'm Tanner. >> So, we go to White Bear and there's this guy who's honestly pretty crazy. He's never drank alcohol in his life. He's very strict guy. And he comes and talk about leadership with us. And we play a ton of games where he teaches us lessons through the games. like we'll play uh what is it like 10 person jump rope. >> Yeah. >> And we have to learn how to communicate and he only gives us a certain amount of time. >> And so you learn about that and he teach us teaches us lessons through about practice. His big motto is that he thinks high school kids practice just to get it done with nowadays rather than to actually get something out of practice. And he really ingrains that and that I think helps a lot especially since a lot of kids there are in their fall sports. And so for me, and I know for you, we take it to our fall sport, like it helps us right away, and we go bring it to our teammates, and it really up ups our practices. >> Another thing that he did is we would have like these tubes and there would be a marble and we'd be in like groups like 10 or 11 and we'd have to work together to try and get that marble across the gym. And the goal of it was to not lash out at your teammates. And one time I did it because we dropped the marble like eight times in a row. I'm like, "Let's go guys." Like, "We can do a little bit better." And I feel like it's really important to be able to practice that. Even though we're bleacher captains, we still have stuff to work on because we're not perfect. >> Our big thing we did this fall, uh, they led the link crew. They came in link crew at the end. Tom the year cheer, which they did very successfully at homecoming. Mr. was very pleased with that. But also the spirit bus and the stuff you're seeing up here is all the spirit bus stuff. So you guys want to talk about what spirit bus meant to you guys and what we had to. >> Yeah. So spirit bus we go to all the elementary schools and we introduce our chants that we do at games. So then the kids, especially since it's homecoming week, all those kids want to go to that homecoming game. So then sometimes if they know the chant, they'll come with and cheer the chant as well. And then we go introduce the homecoming royalty so they know what's going on. And then at halftime at the game, the world to get introduced and they'll already know them. And I know it was cool for you cuz I I went to St. Peters so I didn't get Spirit Bus, but I know >> it was nice for me because I was able to see my old teachers, my old principal, Mr. Ernest at Forest View. And I think it's also really important that we do that because I feel like it shows the little kids that they're also a part of homecoming week. Like It's not just the big kids, it's also them an important part in supporting us. >> Yeah. >> I say Scambia probably was the most juiced out of all the >> Oh, yeah. >> leading the cheer up there watching it. What was the favorite cheer they like this year? it. If you guys don't know, there's a trend with the number 67 and they would go crazy whenever we'd say it and they'd want us to say it and our bus was deemed the most exciting because we had a speaker and we played the song for them. >> So, it was it was pretty fun. >> One of my favorite parts was when Mr. Miller had the sixth and seventh graders together where they're sixth and seventh graders and all the whole crowd six that was and these guys got a bigger kick out of it than I did but it was an awesome week and appreciate you know principles your school do that it's it's a highlight big kids as well. I was just going to add that. I was going to say I think the uh the spirit buses is that the high school kids get as big a kick out of it as the elementary school kids and that um you know they have that nostalgic look back of remembering what it was like for them and wanting to make it bigger and better for the elementary school kids. I >> I I love the cohesion that brings to the district and really appreciate it that you guys are out there having fun and you're you're promoting the team and um keeping the fans in check. We we should have sent this group to the Ryder Cup >> last week. Uh maybe they could had a bit of positive influence there. >> I hope you have any questions for these guys. Love to answer questions. >> Anybody else questions, comments? Member Tyson. >> So, what would you guys think about doing the spirit bus like twice a year? I think I've been asking Superintendent Massie if we can do it more than once because just like what you guys were saying, it's just such a amazing way we connect districtwide with the older students and the elementary and we're all Rangers and we all know the same cheers and chants and >> I just think it's it's really so valuable. >> Yeah, I would say that that would be a great like as bleacher captain we would love to do it again. We would just need to find like a event that's as big as homecoming. I know >> something that they would want to go to, >> right? >> So, if we make a game that's as big as that, then for sure I would do it again. >> Good to know. Thanks for all your work on that. >> Oh, I was just going to say um that uh I want want to give a little Well, first of all, the bleacher captains, they are also responsible for cleaning up the whole area where they sit and there's water bottles and all kinds of mess and so the bleacher captains have to clean that all up. And then also um at the White Bear game, I want to shout out to some staff. Mrs. Miller was there with her baby and a stroller and Mrs. Lang was was there and I don't know the bleacher the the students were doing some sort of chant and all Mrs. Lang had to do was like turn around and give them the look and they stopped um doing what they were doing. So um sta I mean staff and all the staff time, Mr. Calwell, all the staff um during homecoming week um this the um the student council staff. I mean, they're at the pepfest. Uh and then I also just wanted to say, yeah, the spirit bus is amazing. And um the little kids really look up to the big kids, and I think that that's um really important. And um also, I was going to save it for my positive happenings, but the football team is 5-0. And Connor is our quarterback right here, Connor. And Tanner is one of our coaches. So, >> thank you. >> So, yeah. So, we're glad that they took time out on a busy uh busy week to be here. I hope you did. >> Busy night. >> Busy night. Did you miss team dinner for this? >> No. Oh, good. Okay. Better go hesitate. >> Remember Anton. >> Yeah. I'll echo what member Christensen over there and multiple other people have said. The little kids love it. I have three of them um who have been in elementary recently and some one still is and they love it. Um so thank you for that. But I'm also wondering cuz I can hear the cheers but I can't always understand what they are. Do you have these somewhere for the public? >> I'm just curious >> because I I don't know what they are. >> Put those on Tik Tok. >> Well, we do have a Instagram for the bleacher cap scissor that we put the cheers on. Okay. >> But do isn't there like a pamphlet that you get at football? Is there >> Well, just ask a little kid. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> I promise if you go up to a bleacher captain and ask what the chances, they will they will tell you and they'll maybe they'll go in front of the parents and start getting them going. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> All right. Any other questions? Member Corker. >> Well, I just want to know how do you get to be one and how many are there? Uh >> this year there's 30 31, right? >> Oh my gosh. 32. >> Oh, that's a lot. >> Wow. >> They can never get there. >> Yeah. It's basically >> Yeah. >> 16. It's like boys and girls split half and half. And >> I mean, >> so we I can tell you the teachers, uh, admin coaches, they all give us a list and we start out probably about 70 kids. >> Wow. >> And wow. I would say out of those 70 kids, it all be fantastic. So, it's a hard hard and I always say my goal is to get to 20. I don't think I've ever got to 20. Um I was trying to get this one even below 30 and we're meeting with Miss Lang, Miss Miller, and Mr. Caldwell. And Calwell just said, "Ah, just keep 32." And and it does work tonight. We got swimming going, we've got volleyball going, we got your soccer game going. So, we got kids all over the place. I know it was hard to get. It's senior night for girls. Soccer's a lot of girls wanted to go support their classmates and didn't want to come to school with us. >> Can't blame >> a lot of things going on. >> Yeah. I I hesitate to ask, but why why try to limit the number? Why not? >> It's just hard to >> keep track just to have that many in front. >> Okay. >> You know, I can't even if they all show up at like a let's say that's our volleyball stands right there. I can't even get 32 kids in the front row. >> Oh, I I see. >> You know what I mean? So it's >> well it's it's awesome that we have so much interest in that >> I break hearts every August. I feel like I'm soft. >> I feel bad actually. >> Remember castle perhaps she could have some on standby and the ones active >> some bubble players. >> No the draft >> spoken like a football player. >> Maybe some substitutes. So is it just one year? Is it just so one year seniors? Just seniors. Just seniors. >> I tried about three years ago getting five juniors to train them in the senior. >> Didn't like didn't like it. >> They were not letting me do that. I said, "All right." I thought maybe have five trained in. They were ready to go for two years. >> They put us in the senior round. >> Yeah. >> One more quick question. I mean, I think the bleacher captains have grown. I remember when we first started it, there were maybe just one little sprinkling in the front row. So kudos to creating it and keeping it going and having fun. But do you still organize different themes for games? >> Oh yeah, that still happens. I >> like even basketball where there's almost 30 games, there's a theme. Every home game, every way game's got a theme and it's all sent out over social media so everyone knows. >> Wow. And who comes up with all those cool themes? Our first meeting as future captains, we went over like what themes we think should be out for like the volleyball games or the football games. >> It's a lot of themes. >> Yeah, it is. >> That creates all that fun though. >> Yeah. Well, thanks for all your hard work. >> Yeah. The other day we had a substitute come in the district office and asked to talk to came in to do paperwork asked asked for me >> and said I sub in a lot of districts but I have to tell you the kids in Forest Lake are some of the most respectful kids >> that I've ever worked with. Their behavior, their conduct, their friendliness. Again, no one's perfect, but it stands out and you guys are leaders in the high school. It makes a difference. Uh we really appreciate who you are and your leadership. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And they get jerseys if they wear so they go to the way games, you know who to kind of go if they aren't doing something like wiping their leg, Brian can walk up to and say, "Hey, we need your captains. Please take care of this." So that helps too. We got some not always there. >> Excellent. Member Castle. >> So, is there an onboarding at the end of the year so that the juniors when they become seniors are already >> I'll talk to these guys give you recommendations as well who they think would be good, >> right? But some training so that they're not starting from scratch at the beginning of the year. They're at like the junior juniors and seniors are most since they're the only the grades that can drive. The juniors are bas like the seniors and juniors have similar num numbers at games. So the juniors have just been watching the bleacher captains for three years before they become one. So they basically know responsibilities. >> Okay. >> They know the chance to >> Yeah. >> Well, help them out. Succession planning is part of being a really good leader. >> All right. Any other questions or comments? All right, seeing none done, thank you guys so much for coming in. Good >> luck tomorrow. You got a fun year to be bleach and we'll move to Forest Lake Area Middle School. Uh, Principal Miller. >> Well, thank you, Dr. Massie, members of the board. Thanks for having the middle school here this evening. Um, and just, you know, before I dive in a little bit, uh, just to reiterate, you know, at the middle school when we have our petfest every year, I think for us like when you when you think about homecoming, what it means to a community, there are I can't think of a school system or district that does homecoming like we do here and just even seeing our students at the the middle school. It was great seeing our sixth graders engaged in that for for the first time at the middle school. Um, and just a wonderful experience. Um, tonight I'm going to be kind of maybe piggybacking a little bit. Dr. Dr. Masaf, what you just mentioned and alluded to with our bleacher captains and the leadership opportunities and the way that that impacts community and culture within um the middle school uh with a program that we again are so fortunate to be able to have um with again Dr. Massie, your leadership along with Mike Hennon and and Jim Caldwell being able to think through the ways that with changes around our activities um and the policies around that, making sure that that still is able to to fit and happen within our system. Um, and that's going to be our our Best Buddies program. But before we do, um, just a few things to review because, um, I don't know if you know this, but we have sixth graders now at the middle school. So, there's been some big changes uh, with our programming. Um, and as you also know, whenever I join you, I always like to reiterate you again why we exist at the middle school. What does our staff truly believe about the work that we do? And that is that we're here to again create experiences that inspire learning. And that again is down to the deep deepest parts of our core as educators at the middle school and why I think we do such an amazing job. And we do that through this. And I know sometimes we get a little jargony, but we do this through three really important pillars. And one on the right is what we're going to focus on just as you saw Mike Cannon do with our bleacher captains around how we connect kids because we know when kids feel connected at school, they're more successful academically, behaviorally, socially, and emotionally. But we do that by our collective efficacy. the fact that we don't talk at the middle school about an I or a U. We talk about we. We talk about us. That this is uh these are all of our students. This is all of our programming and we all have a hand in making sure things are impactful and positive for students. Personalizing experiences for kids knowing that each student comes to us with unique needs and skills and talents and how do we address that and then again strong connectedness. So, like I said, we have had I would and and to speak for the staff and and and I have Emily Segmire and Sam Van Hefty behind me and I know they would reiterate, we have had a very busy start to the school year, but an amazing start to the school year. Uh it has been so refreshing, so energizing to see sixth graders in the building. Um, I know that we spent a lot of time talking about this transition throughout last year, even a little bit in the summer, but I do think it's important now that we actually have our students in the building experiencing the program and just how positive it really has been. Um, seeing the faces, the energy of those sixth grade students and our and of course our seventh grade students as well. Um, it's just been really really exciting. You can see obviously one of the the rights of passage that a student has as a middle school is getting to use that locker for the first time, which which was really exciting and and getting to do that with their teacher support was was really really fun. And you know, and and we've we've again sort of talked about this in the past, but I think it's interesting to look at some of the statistics. We welcomed over 900 new students to the middle school this year. So twothirds of our student body is brand new. We we welcomed and and and you could say onboarded, but we had a number of obviously sixth grade staff join us, additional support staff, over 30 new staff members at the middle school um that were welcomed throughout this process. Um in fact, and then when we think about how we go about doing this um with our sixth grade teachers uh during workshop week in the building, taking time with our teacher leaders to review how we onboard students. And again, thank you to the to the board this year to adjust our calendar so we could have unique starts for each grade this year. Um it it we I don't imagine how we would have done it otherwise. Uh and sitting there with our staff and some of our sixth grade teachers that hadn't gone through this process before sort of wondering how is this possible? You know, you have this many students rolling through and coordinating that. This is just a snippet of one of the images and schedules that we send out to teachers and and work with our students on by the minute coordinated. Our teachers do an amazing job putting this into place so that way all of our students feel super welcomed and connected on day one. Transition to middle school is a really big deal. It's a it's a huge shift and change in their experiences from elementary. And we know we want to start school really really well and making sure that first day kids go home with a lot of that stress and anxiety relieved and and and talking to moms and dads about how amazing that first day was and the things that they got to do and to meet with their teachers and have our web leaders similar to the high school's link leaders welcome and greet and guide their students on the first day um is really one of our goals. There is not a middle school in the state of Minnesota or probably anywhere that starts school better than we do. um our students leave that first week really in a they're in a great position. They are ready to tackle and take on um really challenging and deep learning experiences again as they move throughout the year. Um now, of course, as a new program, I I don't I'm not going to spend too much time on each of these. Maybe I can come back and talk to some of these. But we've also updated a number of different programs as well to support the transition of our middle school students, our sixth graders and seventh graders, as well as to support our current eighth graders within the building. One of those, and we're so fortunate to be able to now be offering through our ASIS grant that the district um was awarded, literacy and math intervention. Um we're deep into gathering diagnostic information around where students are at around literacy and around math and offering instructional supports for those students uh researchbased interventions uh through our interventionists and and support staff as well as our teachers um during uh the school day. In addition to that, we've used flex in the past. This year we've expanded with our schedule offering that flex time that happens um to offering it three to four days a week. Sort of varies on the day if we offer it on Fridays or not. And flex is a great time for students to be able to get academic support to be able to experience extensions to the to the content that they're learning um to to receive intervention work from a teacher from an interventionist or for enrichment or extension opportunities as well. Just even this week I had one of our social studies teacher was took had us about 30 students sign up for a geogesser game sort of a geography uh quiz show uh that they to do. So they enjoyed they had a great time focused on the content that they were learning and it was just a great way to build those connections. We also know that at the middle school we need to reinforce, teach and retach and sometimes retach again those expectations around what it means to be a ranger to be empathetic and engaged and empowered. This year we've transitioned to something called Ranger Bucks uh which is a sort of a a way to think of um giving students a little more empowered a control over some of the feedback positive feedback they get from teachers to um turn these in for rewards or opportunities for experiences and other things throughout the year. That's going to be starting just here this next week now that we're kind of partway through that first quarter and we're ready to roll that out. We're also really excited about our attendance mentors. Uh we know that attendance and and students attending to school is is critically important. When students aren't with us, they're not able to learn. We also know that I would say ever since uh the pandemic, we have uh as as a system uh across the state, across the nation really have struggled with student attendance. And we have systems in place around truency work through the county. But I'm a firm believer that I think when kids feel connected, when they feel that they have somebody that they that they can trust that cares about their success, they're more likely to want to come to school and they're more likely to be successful when they're there. And so this year, we've taken a look at all of our students. are those students that based on last year struggled with attending school on a regular basis. Every staff member in the building, myself, assistant principles, counselors, all of our teachers, uh the interventionists, everybody has been assigned one student part of that list that they're going to mentor. And the goal behind the mentorship is to build a strong connection with that student to check in with them on a regular basis. periodically reach out to home as they monitor their attendance and provide again that strong connection to school if they notice that the student's been absent for an extended period of time when they connect with that student to be able to check in maybe even offer a little bit of advice on how they can maybe get on back on board get back uh um on schedule with the things that they're doing. I'm really excited about this because I think it's going to have a positive proactive approach to to addressing attendance and habitual truence uh issues uh that we're starting this year. And then lastly, um we have had I think one of the um a really great student announcement uh a program for many many years. Back in my early time when I started as the assistant principal, we had a teacher on the side was essentially a stand-up comedian and she did an amazing job running our announcements. That morphed year after year to different staff taking on the roles and responsibilities. I see Miss Lockway behind me. She did that for many, many years and did an amazing job. One thing that we always felt we were kind of lacking was an opportunity for students and student voice to be part of that. So this year, Gina Eersbach, our our media center specialist, has started a group uh that meets again during flex time when they're not being pulled or needing to do other work. And there's about 35 34 students signed up to act as reporters, to gather stories, to put together the announcements, and that started here this week. The feedback right off the first episode from teachers was super positive. Um, and I think it's a great way again for kids to own sort of our programming, the leadership around that. Um and and kids again would much rather hear probably from each other than definitely from me. Uh and or let alone I think some other folks. So really exciting work. Um and again many other things of course but I just wanted to highlight some of these changes because I feel like number one they they get to the point of why we personalize experiences for kids around their needs um or their or their um passions and their skills. It's also how we again build strong connections for kids uh to the school and the other ways that we do that. One of the most special ways uh that we do that here um started last spring was a program that uh is called Best Buddies. And I'm going to hand it over here to Sam Van Hefty, Lindseay Pyon, and Melissa Goodter. um who are going to talk to you about this program that began with an idea in the spring, late I would say late winter and I I think has been one of the um most amazing experiences for our student leaders as well as for students who at times I think are sometimes um kind sometimes maybe feel like they're could be left behind in that connectedness question at times and and beyond the whole and getting them engaged in that whole student body and population. So really excited about this. Um Sam and Melissa and Lindsay. Oh, you're going to Okay, >> you'll give us you'll cheer from the back um to speak to that. And uh yeah, then we'll Yeah, there you go. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. What he also left out in talking about the student announcements is I was expecting the students would like to hear from, you know, from peers more than he and I. I wasn't as expecting the staff to be so vocal in how much more they enjoyed the announcements here. They were very much like this is so much better. It's a little personal, but anyways, uh we're here to talk best buddies uh at Forest Lake Middle School. So, I will say this started um as an idea. Um this was uh something I was exposed to years ago, my first ever teaching job and um just such an amazing program and it was it was something that probably what late November, early December I had the idea but needed somebody to maybe volunteer aka volunte. Um, and Melissa said, "Tell me what we can do." Because it sounded amazing. And I think I can speak for you, too. We've enjoyed it ever since. >> So, what is Best Buddies? Uh, it is a group that the put simply, the goal is to again spread friendship and inclusion throughout our school. And the we believe statement, it could not be more true. Uh, we believe that everyone deserves to be included and that everyone deserves to have a friend. Period. End of story. So, a little bit about the the program goals. Uh, Best Buddies is a national organization and we'll talk a little bit more about what our year looked like last year as well as uh some of participating chapters across the state of Minnesota. Uh, but they outline three uh key components and it's amazing how much it aligns with our school goals to begin with. um education, building awareness about inclusion, about disabilities, and and what Best Buddy's mission is among chapter members and school communities. Um our PBIS uh school goals are those of having empathetic rangers, empowered rangers, and engaged rangers. And as you can see on the board, engagement and empowerment are are listed there as uh goals of this program. And I think empathy comes through following out through those two goals. I wanted to also follow up with where they list empowerment and I I you all can read I won't read through this entire thing for you but under empowerment it says to foster leadership skills in participants and help them become advocates for themselves and others. That to me uh has been the coolest thing about this program is just the leadership skills that they take on. We have a few student testimonials uh later on that we'll show you as well. So, we spoke earlier about some of the local chapters. These are local to the state of Minnesota. Um, as I said before, it is a nationwide program. Um, but these are are just a few from New York Mills to Minnotonka uh to college campuses to citizen groups as well. Um, we have multiple trainings throughout the year as well where we learn team building activities. We learn more about what the national organization is doing. Um they also offer a summer institute that neither of us were able to attend unfortunately uh this past summer but certainly hope to uh for the upcoming summer. So it is uh fun to see Forest Lake area middle school listed under that that middle school column. And I'm going to hand it over to Melissa to kind of talk through what what our chapter's journey was last year and talk a little bit about some of our goals this year. >> Thank you. Hi, I'm Melissa Goodter and I am a DCD setting 3 teacher at the middle school. Um, this is my 32 32nd goodness um, school year and the reason I choose to be at Forest Lake Middle School is probably easily the most important is Dr. Massie, Mr. Miller, Mr. Van Hefty, which I probably will start crying because I'm very passionate about this. Um, when Sam came to me, I jumped on this opportunity because I thought this is what's going to be great for not only the students that I work with, but for the students at Forest Lake Middle School. We have leadership opportunities. We have an amazing staff who jumped on board, who said, "What can we do?" Who actually went to students and said, "I think this is a great opportunity for you. What do you think of it?" Um, and because of that, it has been a huge, huge success and I'm really proud of it and I'm really proud of what we've been able to do in the last year because Stan's really great to work with. Um, and he doesn't take a credit, but he really deserves it. Um, okay. So, we decided that we're going to go on this journey together and we applied with the Best Buddies, the organization. Um, it is nationwide and it's a nonprofit organization and boy, they have like they they train us. They have I get a monthly email that tells me what I need to do in the month of October and make sure you get this um documented and it's very organized and we also have a um a program lead that we can just say I have a question and they will get right back to us. It's just been great. Um, so we applied, we were accepted, and then Sam and myself and then Sam Duten Hefner, who is also one of the DCD teachers, we attended a training in um at their main office in Eina and we had everybody from us being the oldest to to student leaders that were from Minnetonka High School. um they had um students that were they were programs that had been going on for like 10 years and some like us that are brand new and we were able to learn from one another and ask questions and get resources. It was a great training and we were super excited that we got to do it again in the fall. Um then once we decided all right we're in and we've gone through the training then we had to recruit and we were really excited about this opportunity because we brought in everybody. We had put it in the announcements. We had it on the TV screen. We had the um >> we had the lunch where we had a table set up and had people the kids sign up if they wanted to learn more about Best Buddies. And then we held information meetings um where they could ask questions if they wanted to sign up. We kind of went through the process of what signing up looked like and then gave them the opportunity to make the choice of whether or not they signed up. Um and then after we recruited um we had students get through the process, they go through Best Buddies. Um they have to apply, their parent has to give consent. And once that happens, then we're able to start rolling and having them join us for our um flex time. Now, last year we had flex time. We started it in the spring and we did it just on Tuesdays and we weren't sure like what we were going to get into. And we had 11s of students that have disabilities signed up where parents had permission. And we had 18 that were students without disabilities. Everything from the kid that plays football to the to the musician to kids that you would not usually hear their voice. They're very um introverted who came to participate. And we were so excited because you didn't know who was going to show up if they at that point we were still kind of figuring out if are you coming to flex time are you not and more often than not I had a full room of students who just wanted to be together. >> Um let's see we okay we do crafts we do cooking um we do circle activities um we do social time um I think there's a picture up here in here soon where Mr. Van Hefty was joining us for some of the games. >> There you go. Um so we do um all sorts of things. Um the cooking is always the favorite. So we do cookies and we um decorate cookies, we follow the recipe and we this is where the leadership comes in in terms of following a recipe and making sure it turns out okay and u working well together. um we kind of structured that time uh because we just want wanted to make sure we could get as much in as we could in the short amount of time that we had. So when the students come in, we sit together and there's always a question of the day like do you what's your favorite food or um what do you like to do uh after school? And they sit down and we always have them buddy up so that they're talking to someone new each time they come into the room. Um and then we that kind of helps guide the conversation and then we called it because we couldn't come up with a different name. We were like what are we doing? Well, it's kind of like a microminute learning opportunity for all of them to kind of learn what is a disability, what is inclusion, what does it mean to be a friend, how to be a good person. And we just did a quick little blurb of one topic, couple slides, talk about it, answered questions, and then we moved on to something fun. whether that was the craft, the activity or the cooking. Um, yeah, and I already mentioned that we had 18 students without disabilities and 11 students who had disabilities. And we talked about all the different types of disabilities and how some are visible and some are invisible and how we can all look at each other as with our differences and how we all have strengths and what makes us all unique, makes us special. Um, and it just turned into like this great thing. >> Yeah. So, we talked a bit about the the membership application. Uh, there is a process that students have to go through. They get parental consent. This is done through an app that Best Buddies provides called Best Buddies 360. Um, and I wanted to, we mentioned this before, uh, just a couple of student uh, student sharing out. So, I think it's okay to play video on this. Hope >> your drums don't get blown out. >> But let's >> How loud it is. >> We'll We'll find out. We'll find out. >> Rene says, "Yes." >> All right. Well, if I can find my cursor, >> you do that. Um, so Sophia is an eighth grader and she has volunteered to be one of our leaders um for this coming year. And so she was um she participated as a seventh grader last year. If you want to scroll down and then Ella when she comes on, Ella actually is an eighth is a ninth grader who was an eighth grader last year. She actually came back to the forest to the middle school just so that I could ask her questions about um Best Buddies and Mr. Caldwell, she would really love along with I got five names of can we figure out how to do this at the high school. So we can maybe chat with her. >> There she is. Here we go. Okay. >> But here she was talking about all the things that we did like the cooking to her was fun. Um she talked about at the end we went um we had a we'll have a friendship walk in May and she talked about the friendship walk and how that was like the highlight of her year and Ella talked about how um meeting kids and being a part of best buddies um just being with kids with differences and and working with one another that they were each able to take leadership roles and how that was really neat on meeting people um that she didn't know otherwise being a part of that program. So, they're awesome kids. And then last year, we ended um the last um Best Buddies. We asked them all to write down words of what they meant for Best Buddies. And we just made a word cloud. Um and that was just all the positive things that came out of that was that's from what the students were saying about it. Then finally, just close with an invite to to each of you and your families. On May 17th, 2026, um there is an annual friendship walk. So, Best Buddies Minnesota hosts this at the Vikings practice facility, TCO, uh down in Egan. Um this is when it uh this is when it happens. Uh we'll we're going to try to fund raise this year. Um that was a big thing last year where our our guidance was just get signed up and just go just experience it and then now this year uh the opportunity to to raise funds uh on behalf of team flams. So we'll end with how we end best buddy meetings uh whether it's a chapter training or in Miss Good's room and that's go best buddies. >> So >> thank you very much. >> Are there any questions or comments for the group? Member Tyson, >> I have a question. So, for the Best Buddies program, is there a curriculum that you use or do you >> No, it's actually there's not a curriculum, but they give like a resource list of things to do together like um just different activities, different ways to have like a gathering like >> kind of like a circle, morning circle or a morning meeting. So, it kind of goes through like things you should consider or cover um but not necessarily a curriculum. Yeah, >> it's more activities for things that you can do. >> And right now, like our e the kids that will be the leaders this year, they will meet with us ahead of time and we plan out the activities for October >> and then and the leaders are the ones that are going to come up with the activities and then we then we put it into into place, but they'll be the ones that'll pick the activities. >> Wow. Well, thank you for all that you've done to get this going. I think that there's so many benefits for that comfort zone where just that universal collectiveness of everybody being together and reducing that stigma about people with disabilities and then you don't even notice that you're just friends. And I just think this is what's needed in our schools. And I think that at our middle school when they have these wonderful adults that are engaging them in these activities and having leadership people that have those roles that it's just such a wonderful experience. I can imagine it's going to really grow. >> Yeah. Informational sessions next week and kids already signing up. >> People are signing up to come to my flex time and I said well we haven't started yet but you can come on over to the flex time. showing up at the room >> and also now with the flex time and and the opportunities of it being more days and and students signing up it, you know, we may consider having them be able to come different days. I mean that the there's so many options we'll be able to do. >> Just warms my heart. So, thank you for all your work on that. >> I was just going to ask about that and maybe I missed it because you just said you're going to do more days and it's growing. >> Yes. I mean, so open to it. >> Yeah. Yeah. the the first step is is always kind of getting kids recruited to it and and getting signed up and then partnering students with uh intellectual or developmental disabilities with gen peers. >> Um so from there that's kind of then when we decide okay if we have you know if we have 15 people maybe that's one flex session per week but if we have 75 >> uh then then we're going to have to offer more >> and you're not sure where you're at yet because you just opened this up >> correct? Okay. Okay. Well, I'm cur um how will we find out how it's going? >> Yeah, >> call you 302. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Remember Christensen? >> So, is this uh a type of club or activity that's open for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders? Okay. Wonderful. Yeah, because we were talking in the middle in the listening session. I was listening in and those clubs are only for e some of the clubs are just only for eighth graders. So, this is a club that sixth and seventh graders. Okay, that's great. falls under like part of their operations as a system. >> I was just going to say sometimes you know like they say kids the best part of their day are the things that are special like that >> between the reading and the writing and the basic education part. This is a special program that really gives them a taste of getting to know friends too have the development with friends and having that special time. Now you said that is it just for kids like you said there's other students in there though when you mentioned that or is it just for certain students I mean is it open for all student so any student >> as long as they go through getting application and going through best buddies. >> Okay. >> Um just because that's their the expectation that you have to have parent consent. >> Okay. Um but once they get in the in the system, we go in and then um they will always be invited to flex time. But al academics are first. So like if they get >> recruited by um because they have to make up a test or they need support doing something else academic, that's high priority. We're medium priority. We would we would want them to do their academics before they would come to my room. >> Okay. And then there's like you said, there's no limit. you're hoping it grows and if you have availability >> that is that's wonderful. That's sounds like a great program. Thank you. >> Member Castle. >> Is there a paper method for signing up or do they have to have computers and all this stuff? >> It's a it's a great question. The the platform itself is um is virtual though there are I believe there is the opportunity for us to print a PDF file of it if a family needed that. Um that's a question that we'd certainly refer to um kind of our our Minnesota state leaders if you will to see hey can you help us upload this into that. We haven't come across that yet um with somebody needing that but they have the ability in the system itself to print it as a PDF. So I don't see why. Yeah. >> So and then do the students volunteer or do they recommend students for leadership? >> It's a great question. Students that want to take on a leadership position do have to apply for it. In fact, that's one of the steps this year for us is to have officers. So, there would be a chapter president. Um, and that would be a gened student that would have to go through an application process. >> And then if they find that they want to do that later on, they can. >> Yep. >> Yep. Absolutely. >> Nice. >> And I have some Best Buddies pens magnets here if you feel so inclined. Um I'll I'll leave him next to miss or to member and yeah feel free to take >> All right. Well, thank you very much for the report and and thank you for bringing, you know, more programs to our students in the middle school. That's really critically important and >> we look forward to hearing how this program grows. >> Thank you very much. >> All right. Um, that brings us to positive happenings and I know member Christensen has something. So, um, we can start with her. >> Oh, uh, well, actually, I didn't not really have any other than what I said. Um, >> it's worth mentioning twice. >> Yes, our football team is 5-0. So, that is, um, very exciting. And, um, homecoming was wonderful. And I I said to the principles and to Mr. Caldwell and Mr. Hennon. I mean the staff um that were there at just every single event that whole week. I mean it started with powderpuff and just every single night there was something going on Saturday night the dance everything. So this I can't imagine the extra hours the staff put in um and principal Caldwell and many others the assistant principles um you know it was a really successful time and just a really joint effort and um yeah it was great. Thank you for kicking that off. Member Christensen. Does anybody else have anything for positive happenings this evening? >> Member Tyson, >> I have a couple of things. Um, we went to the transportation department, member Anderson and member Corkran, and thank them, listened and supported. We know what they went through um when schools started and getting all of the district routes up and running. And we couldn't be more proud. And they love having the the board come in and just sit and visit and visit. And I heard some incredible stories. And most of them were that of how much they love to drive their students. They know them personally. I heard some feedback about how the morning route is is is smaller and then the afternoon is maybe quite large, but they know them. They trust their students after they've been running with their route for a while. So kudos to all of them. They were so appreciative. Also, I went out to the Columbus Fall Festival. I know parents and families from Columbus and I saw the Lake Center for Youth and Family were out there and a few other people I knew. That's always a fun event. Um, and I also stopped to watch some Ranger Girl tennis, which I've always wanted to do. And I hear all the time how much people love our tennis courts and how they're so there's bleachers now, Gail. So I actually watched with a friend and we sat on the bleachers and beautiful serves and just watching our Ranger girls play tennis was just very fun for me and I went to the pepfest. I got to sit among the parents against the wall. Very exciting. Mr. Caldwell comes out and brings calm to the whole place. I just saying we're going to sing the national anthem now and boom. So it was a very fun pepfest. I got to see all of the court and the crowning of the queen and king. It was a great event. So, and I had coffee with the director from the Lake Center for Youth and Family, getting to know all the changes and positive direction they're going and we know that they work with our students out at the Lynwood Elementary. So, it was fun meeting him and they're having their taco and game night tonight. So, I hope they're having a good turnout. And that concludes my report. Wonder >> Well, thank you, Member Tyson. Member Christensen. Sorry, I did forget one thing. Excuse me. Um, Mrs. Morehead was passing around our Let's Go Fishing pamphlet. So, if anyone wants information on um fishing for seniors and veterans and the disabled, that is here. And also, I wanted to say uh congratulations to the king and queen. Mank is our queen, our homecoming queen, and Zach Bordina is um the homecoming king. So, >> forgot to mention that. >> All right. Thank you. Anybody else for positive happenings to say? Member Corker, >> I wasn't there, but I know member Tyson was at the opening of Belts Park. Oh, remember Morehead? It looked like it was fabulous. I've driven by a few times and >> that's a city of Forest Lake report. >> Oh, Oops. Well, that's still a positive happy >> I could I could kind of share it. That was It's beautiful and I think the families are just going to love the use of that park. So, a lot of lot of work went into it, a lot of time and energy. Sure looks great. >> So cool. Yeah. >> All right. Well, that is an excellent segue because I suspect we don't have anything for workshops and conferences tonight. We don't. Which brings us to City of Forest Lake. Member Christensen Center. Member Tyson, >> you want to go ahead. Member Tyson. >> Well, I I just want to add on to what member Corkwin said and member Morheads here. I mean, it was just an incredible night. There were so many families. Bells Park, the basketball courts are new. Pickle ball, tennis, the climbing area was just filled with families and it was just a really joyous celebration. And I talked to Mayor Bane and thanked her because it started back under her reign and I saw Mayor Blake, Mayor Blake Roberts. I said hi to Patty, our representative Patty Anderson was there. So, it's really just a celebration and people are going to love that park down the road. There might be a pavilion with bathrooms. So, I think it's all ADA acceptable, handicapped accessible, which is so proud we're so proud of. So Forest has a lot of parks and so maintaining them is always that piece of it, but also getting the funding to help the city bring this to fruition is great. So >> member Christensen. >> Yeah. Um I um uh reporting on the meetings from September 8th. Um not too much. There's some new staff. There's a new finance director um and a new assistant community development director for the city. There is a budget survey um online uh with the city of Forest Lake that is live um with uh questions that uh citizens can answer. Um uh there is some active development uh things going on in one area in the staff report. I think uh Abby Whitman reported that there are four or five active residential plats and she said quite a lot of dirt will be moving around yet this fall in Forest Lake. So I thought that was really exciting. And then on September 22nd, um, Officer Jake Ays is retiring after 31 years of service. Um, and they talked about, um, some budget uh, uh, the preliminary budget adoption. Uh, they set, uh, the maximum like like we do too. Um, and they set that. But then I also thought it was very interesting. and they talked about the fund balance and uh just because I thought this was interesting, the city maintains a general fund balance of 50%. uh the year's total budget um because they're only get paid twice a year due to property tax revenues and other things, but I just thought that was very interesting if we had to carry 50% of our >> that would be a lot. So anyway, just uh that concludes my report. >> All right. Thank you, Member Christensen. And and that's a kind of a good segue into my question here. have the Forcely Times today published an article on uh the preliminary levy and it looks like they're looking at a 12.59% increase. I know last year it was mid 111 they settled just under 10 so it's possible that this will go back down but it creates a city tax rate of over 45% and there's also discussion of a half a percent sales tax. Was there any discussion as to what was driving such a substantial increase? Well, I know um they set that was the maximum. They set the maximum like how we do. You can set the maximum. You're not going to charge more than that, but you can't you can charge less, but not more than that. And I'm certainly not an expert on the city budget, so I don't want to speak uh too much um to that, but that yeah, that's what they set it at. >> Okay. >> I don't know. There wasn't any discussion about a sales tax in the two meetings um that I listened to. So, I know it was in the paper though because I know there's a um a public works building that's being discussed. Yeah. >> Okay. Thank Thank you. It's just one of the things that uh I'm keeping a close eye on as we discuss levies and we talked about a a bond for the pool and all of these tax rates are are cumulative and for forest lake is one of our larger uh service areas. So, it's something that we need to be concerned about when it comes to school funding as well. All of these things uh tie together. Um, any other questions on the city of Forest Lake for comments? All right, seeing none, we'll move to uh community education. I have member Christensen and member Hagland. >> Um, yes, I attended the meeting on September 15th. Um, and Jay Ecman, who is the um, athletics and facilities director, gave um, just a really nice presentation of how busy uh, community ed is in all the athletic um, programs. and um talked about a lot of things. Uh the fishing team is coming under community ed which um is going to be uh very busy. That's a really popular program uh run by uh AJ Hansen is the head coach there. Um they talked a little bit about um there was a marching band day um at Huntington Bank Stadium where the Gophers play and the the marching band um was on the field along with some other bands too. It wasn't just only um our band. So that was exciting. But some of the main things that um Jay Eggman talked about is kind of a thing that he's doing this year is he's trying to centralize the location for a lot of the games, a lot of the youth games. You know, you'd maybe play one night here or there or whatever. He's centralizing the locations um for the games. And he also talked about uh just some numbers. Basketball uh excuse me, baseball and softball are our biggest program. So that's really exciting. and they really want to create an environment for players and fans to play in fields that are safe and well-managed. So, he's also um really focusing on uh the facilities and having the fields um ready to play and in and in good shape. Um and uh he talked about there's a partnership with the hockey association. The junior rangers hockey is uh maxed out for the fall and there's a waiting list. So, that is a really wonderful program. And he also wanted to give a shout out. Well, he didn't ask me to say this, but in the meeting he said that Forest Lake Printing, one of our local um vendors, our local small businesses here, uh is a really great partner with community ed and he just went on to say that they're just really wonderful when they need things last minute. Uh Forest Lake printing is a great partner for them. So, that concludes my report. >> Thank you, Member Christensen. Member Hegelin, anything to add? >> I was up telling that. >> Okay. Um any questions? >> All right. Seeing none, that will bring us to MSBA. member Tyson. >> Yes. So, I just returned from our retreat was held last week. It was the 27th through the 28th. Um the first night was our board meeting where we reviewed about 67. Some flowed in the next day of the resolutions from all the districts in the in the areas in the state. um reviewing those um getting ready for the delegate assembly which will be December 5th when they'll the res resolutions will be voted on and talked about on the floor. So as a collective board um MSBA represents all of the areas across the state. So it's 331 districts and over 800,000 students. So that's a lot of different people that come together to make up the board for MSBA. The second day we had a strategic plan update reviewing all the metrics that have flowed in now and our different core areas are advocacy member development, operating efficiencies, policy services and new with policy services. Now for $1,400 districts can have a full policy audit done. So that's that's something new that flowed into the metrics with how that needs to play out. And then also um unifying voice is about our communication plan. So I think we've had surveys where people have let us know you know there's so much information on federal level, local level and from neighboring districts. What what do people want to hear? The third day was a lot of what our students talked about. We did team building um activities. One was a book study on leading through change. Um, we also reviewed our Clifton StrengthFinder and broke into small groups and then large groups talking about what strengths flowed out of taking that test. So, it was a lot of fun. It was um the team building things were fun like the students talk about. You work with people just getting to know them and it just makes the board stronger and we're able to get a lot more accomplished having knowing each other well and each other's strengths. So I was in the relationship building. That was one of my top fives. Everybody had to break off and what their strengths were. So was fun to reveal that and then work from there with our small groups and then go into the large group. So that concludes my report. >> Excellent. Thank you, Member Tyson. Any questions? >> Yeah. And I have a lot of information. I didn't bring my whole packet, but I'd love to have coffee with anybody that wants to find out more. Oh, and member Antinson will be going to the delegate assembly. I let her know that thanked her for her interest and that I nominated her and she was excited. So, >> yes. Thank you. >> Thank you. Looking forward to it. >> That concludes my report. >> Any questions? >> Okay. I do have a question for uh member Corkran. maybe putting it on the spot here, but now that we have joined AMSD, I know you probably haven't had the opportunity to engage with him yet, but if you'd like to have a regular board report, please just reach out to me and we'll get it added to the proposed agendas moving forward. Um, and that'll keep the the board apprised as to what's going on there. Um, and then from there, we'll move on to uh the superintendent report. Dr. Mass, >> the AMSD first board meeting is tomorrow morning. So, I will be there. Member Corkin, I'm not sure that you're able to attend. Are >> is it virtual, too? >> It is virtual. Yes. And you should have the link. If not, let me know. >> It's early. >> It is early. Yes. 7:30. >> Starts with breakfast. We'll see. Is it every virtual? >> Yeah. Either way. >> Okay. Yep. Perfect. I'll let you know. >> There you go. >> Well, first of all, I'd like to thank uh Principal Miller, um Sam Van Hefty, and Melissa Goodter for really a powerful presentation. the work you're doing with kids across the school. Um some of our more um vulnerable kids and building those connections is really powerful work. Uh launching the middle school with sixth grade and tripling the enrollment. We couldn't be off to a better start albeit extremely busy. So thank you. And for the middle school staff in the building or at the board meeting, thank you for your work as well. Um, the Forest Lake Times was referenced earlier. Their their front page article is Columbus Elementary 50-year celebration. Erin, thank you for a really nice article there capturing the two year or the two principal history over 50 years. Larry Carlson initially and Neil Fox for the last 26 27 years. >> Um, and Dan Wkelman and the number of staff. So just a great tribute to the community-based elementary school we talked a lot about when we were doing rebounding and that is the epitome of the value of community-based elementary schools. The government shutdown uh will not have an an immediate impact on federal funding flows into the school district. We're uh kind of blocked funding. Um, so you know that will flow but if this continues long term there could be some financial impacts. So I will certainly monitor that and keep the board apprised of of those developments as well. The strategic plan subcommittee has met once. We adjusted our next meeting to meet um still on October 8th, but we moved it to 4 PM to accommodate Gail Gilman from MSBA to join us to talk through uh the logistics of facilitating the the strategic strategic plan should the board have an interest in facilitation. So great conversation and we certainly appreciate um the candid conversation and I think a a good recommendation will come to the board. You know as I look across this amazing school district um I could not be more proud of the incredible incredibly talented and dedicated staff that we have in our district. This community is truly blessed to have such a professional group of educators and staff educating the students of our community. Today we see student achievement and student academic growth on the rise. Enrollment is increasing despite declining in birth rates, a testament to Forest Lake area schools being a place kids and families want to be. Our financial footing is solid and the district's reserve funds are strong. With incredible pride in the success of our schools and with humility and enormous gratitude, I share with the school board my plan to retire at the end of the school year effective June 30th. [Music] I have more to say. Um, it's been my greatest honor to serve the students, families, and staff of this amazing school district. For the last 27 years, my greatest desire has always been to lead the district to a better place during my tenure as superintendent. 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. to the educators and staff. We are partners in one of the greatest callings, educating and preparing our young to be tomorrow's leaders. You are a gift to this community and the children we educate every day. To my administrative team, there is none better. Your passion and fierce commitment to excellence is an inspiration. You lead with a servant's heart as you guide our schools and very challenging times. You are courageous, tenacious, and extremely talented. To my incredible wife and boys, I hope you're ready to spend more time with me. You have been my sounding board and my northstar throughout my career. Thank you. I am excited to spend more time with you. Now it's October and the year has just begun. Let's get to work and make it another great year in Forest Lake Area Schools. Well, um, >> I feel very privileged to be the first one to wish Dr. Massie a wonderful retirement and to thank him for his incredible career here at Forest Lake Area Schools. We've been through a lot uh just over my tenures as a board member. Uh some amazing instrumental changes that uh um his legacy will live on for quite some time. And uh are there any other board members? Member Christensen. Um yeah, I just um um Dr. Massie is very humble and I know he wants this to be like all directed about um staff and his administrative team and um how everyone uh works together. But I would say that you cannot have a successful district without a leader that people trust and are willing to follow. And um Dr. Massie, I mean, is so dedicated to the Forest Lake community. Um you know, superintendents are crucial to the excess to the success of the district. Big changes are happening in our district even just this past year um with the reimagine 2025, not to mention all the previous things that went on um you know, prior um prior to that. But I just want to say as a leader um he is transparent. He is super honest. People see him putting in the work. He doesn't just sit in his office. I mean he's in the buildings. I see him in the buildings, you know. Um he comes to Scandia and he talks to the kids and um he knows the teachers names in the hallways. Um you know, so he he walks the walk. He's in the buildings. He can name almost every teacher. Not only that, he knows so many community members. He could name the community members. He's active in the community. He's out there going to things. I mean, he's been in the district. Um, you know, he spent his career here. His wife taught here. Their three sons went to these schools. Um, he's real. He's genuine. The staff sees that. and the staff and the community really respect him and um I wouldn't be the board member I am um you know without serving under his leadership. So >> thank you member Christensen. Member Tyson. >> Yeah. So, I have a letter here that now I'm super sad about, but our superintendent, Steve Massie, is so highly respected and regarded for his work in our district that he has been nominated eight times for the 2025 Superintendent of the Year Award. I am going to read the letter of recommendation I sent to the selection committee last month to the superintendent of the year selection committee. It is a pleasure to recommend Dr. Steve Massie for the school superintendent of the year award for 2025. As a school board member during Steve's entire tenure as administrator, he has demonstrated outstanding leadership, vision, and dedication, resulting in significant improvements across the district. Under Steve's guidance, the district has seen remarkable progress in key areas. Student achievement. Student achievement is on a clear upward trajectory across all metrics. Graduation rates. Graduation rates have reached an unprecedented high during Steve's tenure. Enrollment growth. Despite declining birth rates in the region, the district's enrollment has continued to increase, reflecting strong community confidence. Facilities upgrades. Steve has successfully spearheaded crucial facilities upgrades that benefit both communities, both students, and our broader community. Navigating challenges, Steve has skillfully navigated its decisive and often polit politicizing schoolboard, consistently prioritizing student success amidst complex discussions. District communication and community engagement. Communication from the district has significantly improved, fostering stronger community engagement and a sense of shared purpose. 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. So I just want to say that we have some big shoes to fill. You are so beloved at the helm by our staff and teachers as noted by that resounding and deafening applause at our all staff day in August. Also beloved by your directors are flaws for Lake Area School students and families, city mayors, county boards, PTO and booster clubs and beyond. It leaves a gaping hole. But you have shown us what teamwork is and how to be strong and respectful Rangers. And we will carry the good work having learned from you. We will continue in your absence to go forward with integrity, respect, and to always focus on what's best for our students. I will always have a lot of admiration for how you were the ultimate team leader and that you helped shape us and move us forward to become the premier district that is now Forest Lake area school and this excellence for every student every day. Amazing. >> That's Dr. Massie and that's why we're for schools and his teams. So, thank you for everything. Gonna miss you. >> Thank you, Member Tyson. Member Parker, >> I have to go after that. That was pretty amazing. I'm not the best writer, but I I was well, I was trying to I had a really busy day, so I was trying to pull some information together just because um I care about Steve very much. And I've been on this board for I think 18 years now. It's been a long time. And um I started looking up history and realizing he's been working or being in our district for over 26 years. That was pretty eye opening. I guess I didn't realize that. Um starting off at Century, then going to the CLC, then principal at the high school, and then our superintendent. I mean, the vast knowledge and and the depth of caring he's shown in those many years is beyond measure. So, thank you for that. And um I just said we I've we've had the privilege to have Dr. Steve Massie and our superintendent for eight years going to be nine. With his leadership, the administration, we have seen great growth and changes in our district. and um just some of the things that that Gil Tyson had said to um the increase in fund balances and bringing the cities together and having his open door policy with parents that has grown since he's been here. He's always said come see me, come call me. Always available for parents, staff, community. That's that's a rare thing. Very very proud of that. Um the confidence and trust that has happened since you've been in in leadership role is is astounding and I can feel it when you talk to parents and and staff how how happy they are that you have been their leader in this district. I mean you've surrounded yourself with amazing directors and that also is is very important for our staff. So what else? I had so much written I was like all over here. Um so I guess in in all the things we've accomplished since you've been here in the last especially the last year or two um the re reimagined consolidating for sake forest view that takes vision and hard work and teamwork and that also is from a strong leader having good staff to kind of help guide them through. So I just want to thank you for your many years of service and I I'm truly honored to have worked with you and I know that you're going to enjoy your retirement. You deserve it and I know your wife Kate will be loving having you home and enjoying your family. >> Thank you. >> All right. Anybody else have comments here? If if not, I I hate to be the one to get us back to business, but uh as member Tyson mentioned, we have some uh big shoes to fill here and it's going to take some time. >> Yeah, I do have um I was >> member antinensson. I don't know how it goes when a superintendent do do you do you do train people in how does it how does that go when you're I I don't know because I mean you you there are big shoes to fill somebody with your expertise and and length of time in this district and knowing the community as strongly as you do as a whole like I'm I don't know what the process is. I'm just curious. >> Yeah. And I guess what I would say off off the bat, I've never done that before. >> Well, I I don't know if it's >> I I don't know what that's going to involve. It'll depend on the direction the board goes and with who they hire >> and the onboarding training needs that they have. Um but certainly my commitment to this district is to make sure that person is ready to go. >> Member Christian, >> could I just say a point of order? Um, I don't know what you were. I just think maybe we should just kind of let this sink in a little bit and we should just kind of let everybody just sort of process this announcement before we sort of >> Sure. Why don't we >> straight to I mean I think we >> unless there's an objection. We'll recess for I don't know 10 maybe even 15 minutes here. We'll we'll kind of gather ourselves and we'll pick up. >> I'm not sure. I was >> No, I'm sorry. I meant uh I meant ex excuse me. I meant um member Antinson was asking like how does the process work and and I just meant like as far as talking about how the process works and how we're going to move forward. I might just suggest like everyone like let's just let this process for a little bit and not worry about process and moving forward. I mean there's time in my opinion there's time for that. I think um I I'm sorry I wasn't calling for a recess. like let's just >> let this sink in and before we start talking about next steps and whatever. >> I think that could be a conversation for a different meeting. >> Yeah, that I would agree with that. >> Make a motion to accept your >> I I I would recommend that you do that. >> Yes. >> I would I guess >> in that case let's let's go ahead. We'll we'll move to accept the retirement of uh Dr. Steve Massie effective June 30th, 2026 as he shared with us earlier um which reflects the conclusion of his employment contract and to provide authorization to the board chair and the vice chair to initiate an executive search process to identify a possible successor. >> Second. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion on that? >> All right, seeing none, um member clerk, will you please take the roll call? Okay. Member Heaggland. >> I. >> Member Antonson votes. I. Member Castle. >> I. >> Member Christensen. >> I. >> Member Reveline. >> I. >> Member Tyson. >> I. >> Member Corkran. >> I. >> The eyes have it. >> All right. With with with that done, I'm going to I'm I'm again going to suggest a recess here for at least 10 minutes. Uh um if I don't have an objection. If can I I just offer um maybe for my benefit, we've got 15 minutes of work. >> Yeah, let's keep going. >> Okay, I think it'll be more than that, but if we have an objection, we can we can move beyond the the recess. >> Good. >> Okay, that will bring us to the uh the consent agenda. Um I would like to pull 7.6. >> Is there any other items that we need to pull from consent? Um, seeing none, I would entertain a motion to approve 71 through 75, 77, and 78. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Those opposed. >> Okay, motion carries. Um, that brings back uh 7.6 and this is on the emerging status of school commitment form MSHSL girls uh team dual wrestling. And I actually suggested putting this on the consent agenda, but uh things have changed in the last few days here and we now have a 61page um opinion from the Office of Civil Rights. So I just had a point of inquiry for Dr. Massie on if there's been I I know that MSHSL met earlier this morning. Um I don't know. Um, nope. I I don't see him out there. But has there been any direction from Minnesota State High School League, Minnesota Department of Education, or even the Attorney General on what direction uh we can expect to go here and is it going to affect our funding? >> Yeah, we have not received any further direction from MDE or the Minnesota State High School League >> uh with respect to uh the federal response that just came through. Um 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. >> Okay. Uh thank you. And and I was more my my inquiry was more directed at the uh the title N opinion. So I've gone ahead and drafted a letter. I feel it's important that the board adopt this and send it to um Commissioner Jet um the board president and the executive director at Minnesota State High School League and Keith Ellison, our attorney general. And I've uh included additional copies here. Maybe the board members can leave them at the end of the table if individuals here and the crowd are interested. I will also email that um I'll email that to you Joy if you're able to get that on uh >> board book at some point. Um hold on. I I have a motion here. Um I'd like to move to formally adopt this letter provided by the chair and direct administration to deliver a signed copy to the addressed individuals using an overnight delivery service and to provide the board with the confirmation of delivery. Uh do I have a second? >> Second. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. So, I'll let board members uh read the letter and I'll give those in attendance and those online here a summary of what the letter states. Um the summary is as follows. Uh Forest Lake Area Schools strongly supports immediate compliance with Title 9 following a federal determination that the Minnesota Department of Education and Minnesota State High School League violated Title 9 by allowing males to participate in female sports and to access female only facilities. The district urges Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League to accept the federal resolution agreement. Two, one, ensure legal compliance and protect federal funding for schools. Two, preserve fairness in female sports by preventing the displacement of female athletes by males. Three, safeguard female students privacy, dignity, and safety in female only spaces such as locker rooms and other sensitive locations. Four, provide schools with clear guidance to serve our students in an effective and legal manner. Non-compliance with Title 9 risks harming female students rights, compromises school programs and fundings, and will likely trigger federal enforcement actions that will negatively impact all students. adopting this letter and uh passing this motion will share this opinion with um Commissioner Willie Jet of the Minnesota Department of Education, Don Peshel, the board president, Eric Martins, the executive director of Minnesota State High School League, and the attorney general Keith Ellison. Is there any discussion? Member Christensen? >> Yeah, I would again like to um just talk about how obviously this letter is drafted. you and Tessa's names are on it here. Um, again, just sort of springing things uh like this on the board when this clearly could have been um sent out in advance. Now, we're supposed to digest >> point of order here that I'm going to take that as a personal attack because the opinion was just issued on the 30th. That was two days ago. Um I have spent a gosh probably the last 20 26 hours um reading the 61page opinion preparing the letter. The reason my name and member Antonson's name is on the letter is that as the board president and the board clerk it would be our responsibility to sign this should it be adopted. Um so I don't >> I don't appreciate a personal attack stating that this is a last minute type of >> Could I just respond to that? Could I just respond to that? I that was not I did not that was not a personal attack. >> Okay. >> You could have shared a draft. You could have tech you could have emailed the board and said, "I'm working on this. This is what I'm thinking about. I'm going to add >> this letter wasn't finished until approximately 5:00. >> So you you typed this out with no edits. You could have I'm sure there were drafts of this member chair. I'm sure there were drafts. You could have said, "This is what I'm working on. Here's draft number one. It's not finalized." I just um >> it is available to you this evening. >> Well, I know, but I can't So, okay. Well, let let's all uh take, you know, >> 30 minutes to process this and read it and then I'm going to check double check everything. I'm not going to just vote on something that I don't know what this is about. And secondly, if I could just say girls wrestling, I know a lot about that. My all three or two of our boys wrestled or third wrestled when he was younger. I know a lot about girls wrestling. I'm not sure what all this is. Title N, whatever. Girls wrestling right now, they practice with the boys. I mean, they wrestle amongst each other, but they practice with the boys. Making a girls wrestling team its own thing is a super good thing cuz then they're going to have their own season and they're going to wrestle amongst themselves. They don't have to share the wrestling room with the boys. So, I just feel like if you wanted to choose a woman's sports that would be controversial or something, I mean, this is like a really good thing that the girls wrestling should have their own season, their own team. So, I I don't I don't understand what this has to do with the other. I get it. It's girls sports, but I don't >> No. And if this letter supports your statements exactly, >> but is member Corker, >> is there currently an issue with this now? I mean, >> yes, we were we were found by the office of civil rights, the state of Minnesota, to be in violation of title nine, >> by allowing males to participate in female sports. >> Not not for Lake District. >> Not in the Forest Lake district. Not Force Lake. >> To my knowledge, we do not have any students that currently any male students that currently participate in girls sports and but we do have uh girls teams that compete against males in other sports. Okay, >> member Tyson. >> 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 we just had our board retreat. Our board chair serves with Mike Kennan on the board for the Minnesota State High School League. She gave an update. It didn't contain anything like >> Exactly. I learned about this late last evening. Um Minnesota I was hoping to hear that the Minnesota State High School League would address this issue this morning. They elected not to during their board meeting. they ignored the uh issuance of the opinion from the office of civil rights which is why I feel it's important that school districts and schoolboard member uh individuals themselves stand up and let the state know that uh you know the federal funding and the protection of females is important to us and that's the reasoning I drafted the letter. >> But it feels like you're kind of using this letter to sabotage the wrestling program. >> Absolutely not. This is not tied to we have no motion on the table concerning the Minnesota State High School uh league girls team dual wrestling. >> There was no avenue to get this information prior. >> You was not prepared in time to provide it. Member Christensen. >> Um I I mean obviously I'm not on the Minnesota State High School League board, but if you're saying you yourself just found out about this, you know, last evening or two evenings ago and then the Minnesota State High School League had a meeting the following morning, perhaps they're having their lawyers look at it. The Minnesota State High School League has less uh they've been given 10 days to respond to this. If we are going to take action to support the uh adherence and the compliance with the findings from the Office of Civil Rights, this is really our only opportunity unless we were to schedule an emergency meeting. >> 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. >> Member Hegman. So, just to clarify it, this letter is just letting the state know that we as a a district, whether we are um found to be compliant or not, we support Title 9 on a federal uh standing. So that we don't want to lose our federal funding because Superintendent Massie mentioned it tonight was $6 to $8 million a year potentially that we could lose if >> the federal department of justice is successful against the state. Correct. >> That that's an excellent summary. Yes. >> And then this has nothing to do with approving. We will still approve or I will make a motion once this is settled to approve the girls dual wrestling. >> Correct. The girls wrestling girls wrestling motion has not been brought up yet. >> Okay. Thank you. And unless there's an objection, we can uh suspend the rule on limitations of discussion and we can go back to member Christensen. >> I have a point of order. Um this is this was not on the agenda, >> right? We approved the agenda >> and we approved the agenda. >> So the >> and the motion is gerine due to its relationship with uh approving a female sport. >> And who determines that? The chair. The chair. >> The chair determines if it's Germaine. >> Is there any other discussion on the uh So on the motion >> is this one more question. So when we approve the agenda, you could have put this letter on there, right? Prior to that, >> uh potentially. >> But can you say why you didn't want to do that? >> No, I don't wish to speak to that at this time. >> I just I have a question. I mean, this all triggered because of a new sport in I mean, >> no, this triggered due to the the legal finding that was issued on September 30th. >> Nothing to do with the girls wrestling. I even though it's >> it's related to the girls wrestling since we are approving a new female sport. Um, I felt it was important that uh the district um as member Hegeland shared earlier share our opinion with the state that we feel that protecting female sports is important to us. So, so any other anything else for you? This would have came up and it didn't matter if it was wrestling or whatever. >> Correct. >> Member Christians, >> I would like to appeal the decision of the chair. >> Which decision of the chair? >> The decision >> that this is Germaine. >> Yes. >> All right. We we have an appeal and we have a second. Um any discussion on the appeal of the decision of the chair? >> I would like a roll call vote, please. >> Sure. For those of uh those of you that aren't familiar with the appealing the decision of the chair, uh my ruling was that this motion was gerine due to its relationship to both Minnesota State High School League and female sports. Um member Christensen is arguing that the motion is not germaine. >> It was not on the agenda. This is an agenda item and I believe that if this wanted to be discussed, it should have been on the agenda item. It should have went you someone should have amended the agenda. >> Correct. >> To spring this on during consent. I >> do not agree with that. >> So >> is there any discussion on that on the on the appeal of the decision of the chair? If not, we will go to a roll call and I'll ask members to answer the roll call on whether or not they agree with the member Christensen or the chair. >> So yes is to agree with me and no. >> No. Um, if when you are asked for your vote, you would you would state you agree with member Christensen or you would state that you agree with the chair. >> I'm just trying to be clear before we >> correct. I I don't want any ambiguity in this in this uh process as well. Um, any questions? Okay. Uh, seeing none, uh, member clerk. >> Okay. Member Christensen. >> Agree with member Christensen. >> Member Castle. >> Agree with the chair. >> Member Corkran. I agree with member Christensen. >> Member Hegland. >> Agree with member chair. >> Member Tyson. Agree with member Christensen. Member Antonson agrees with member chair and member Rebelline. >> I agree with the chair as well. The um appeal of the ruling fails, which brings us back to the main motion. Is there any additional discussion on the main motion? Member Tyson, >> I just have one thing. I'd like the district attorney to have a look at this letter before we go forward. I think that would be a really good decision prior to this. >> I agree with that, member Tyson. That's a good point. >> That is a good point >> because did you draft this letter yourself, member chair? >> I drafted it in consultation with the attorneys as well. That's part of the reason it took so long. >> In consultation? >> Yeah. Which attorneys? >> Uh my individual attorneys. >> You you wrote this letter in consultation with your own personal attorney. I I worked with uh I worked with a number of attorneys on this that are uh very uh very familiar with the issue at hand. >> But would you be opposed then if our district attorney looked at this before it went out? I'm member Christian >> I'm not comfortable um sending a letter uh of this magnitude to these folks uh without having our at our attorney on the district look at this. I'm I mean, member chair, you and your attorneys I mean, I I'm not I don't want to be a part of a letter that that our own attorneys or at least our own I mean has director Freriedman looked at no one has seen no administrators have seen this letter. >> Okay. >> Well, I just think it protects the best interest of our district and that's what our our attorneys are for. So, I think it'd be in our best interest to have them at least look at it to make sure if it's good before it's I mean, we don't want to come back with a law finding or even something back a backlash on our district. So, I think that would be money well spent. >> Order >> point of inquiry. Uh this is letter is basically stating that our district if we were to sign this as a board and pass it is willing to be in compliance with federal law around Title 9. >> Correct. Yeah. 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. >> If I can, Mr. Chair, I would ask the board to consider the precedent that gets set seeking outside counsel for formal district business. >> That's a good road to go down. >> As the chair, I have authorization to engage legal counsel. Um, member, >> I was just going to point out that this is the letter that I', as I've read it, I've only read it once, but as member Antonson already alluded to, we're not asking to do anything other than just support the federal uh mandate that we comply with Title 9. So, I don't see a lot of legal risk here by voicing our support for adhering to federal standards. >> Member Tyson, >> I I think, you know, it would serve us well if you're comfortable in that direction, then why wouldn't you be comfortable having our district attorneys look at it? And I think member chair should have been in consultation with our district attorneys. on this. >> Why aren't you comfortable with that? >> I didn't say I wasn't. >> Oh, >> I just said I'm >> You're comfortable with him working with his personal attorneys. >> Well, whoever what he's the chair, he can engage legal counsel. So, I he didn't tell me who he >> our legal counsel. >> Is there is there board member policy that we could look at on that >> on engaging legal counsel? That was authorization that you provided both the chair and the vice chair in January. >> But it was with our own attorneys, >> right? >> Uh no, it was to engage legal counsel. >> Okay. >> Is there any additional discussion? >> Seeing none, um member clerk, please take a roll call. >> Let's Can we clear up quickly what we're voting on right now? >> Yes. So the the motion is to um approve the sending of the letter. Uh the original motion was to formally adopt the letter and provide the chair or formally adopt the letter provided by the chair and to direct administration to deliver a signed copy which uh uh the chair and the clerk will sign if it's approved to the addressed individuals using an overnight delivery service. Um again due to the uh shortened time frame that the state has to respond and to provide the board with the confirmation of delivery that was the the chair or the uh motion in the second. So an affirmative is to adopt the letter and to send it. Um a no vote would be to do nothing. Is that clear? >> All right. Um member clerk, please take a roll call. >> Okay. Member Castle. >> I. Member Tyson. >> Vote no on surprises and not working with our attorney. So, no. >> Member Rebeline. >> I. >> Member Haggland. >> I. >> Member Corkran. >> No. >> Member Ant Tonson votes I. Member Christensen. >> No. >> The eyes have it. >> Okay. The motion carries. That does bring us back to item 7.6, emerging status uh school commitment form, Minnesota State High School League Girls Team Dual Wrestling. Dr. Mass. Hey Kurt. Yeah, >> as I indicated, um, this is simply indicating to the league that we would support the establishment of girls wrestling. >> All right. Is there any, um, I would entertain a motion? >> Move to approve. >> Who's paying your attorney? >> Um, >> we have a motion. Do we have a second? I will second that myself. Um, any discussion on approving the Minnesota State High School League Girls Team Dual Wrestling? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Those opposed. Okay. Motion carries. Brings us to action items 8.1, donations. Member Christensen. Um, I would like to thank the following uh donors for their generous donations to Forest Lake area schools. $7,8402 to Forest Lake girls fast break booster club for girls basketball season uniforms and $750 from all around remodeling for step program general use for a total donation of $8,5902 and I move to approve with gratitude. >> Second. All right, we have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Those opposed. All right. Motion carries. Brings us to Forest Lake Area Schools staff retirement notice. Again, member Christensen. >> Uh we have three retirements this evening. Jennifer Franklin uh retiring uh as an elementary teacher at Forest Lake uh elementary school following 30 years of service. Patricia Gunderson, long hour cook helper at Lynwood, effective following five years of service. and Cheryl Nelson, uh, BIS specialist at LO Lakes after 23 years of service. Um, I move to approve with gratitude and, uh, wish them the best. Thank you. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion in a second. Is there any discussion? >> 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. >> Yes. Thank you. Um, okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. I >> those opposed. >> Okay, motion carries. That brings us to the Force Lake Area Schools 1300 policies. This is policy 1301 through 1306. This is now the fourth time that these policies have been brought before this board. So, they are here this evening for an approval. Um, I will make the motion myself uh due to there there is some nuance here. Um, so I will move to rescend policies 202 through 214 and replace them with the proposed policies 1301 through 1306 as presented. Uh, do I have a second? >> Second. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Um, for those that are paying very close attention, I did not include policy 2011. Policy 2011 right now serves as the superintendent's um job description and I believe it's policy 1304 that reflects back to the board needing to provide a job description to the superintendent. So my thought is that we would leave 2011 in force. Uh for now we bring it back before the board um at one of our upcoming meetings uh to to get that into the the current format and perhaps renumber that as 1301A. >> So that that is the reason for that. Um, what I'll do is kind of like what I've done in the last couple of meetings here is I'll step through each policy 1301 through 1306 and ask if any any individual has any questions, comments or amendments for a given policy as we step through and we will start with uh school district administration policy 1301. Does any board member have any questions, comments or motions associated with policy 1301? All right, seeing none, we will move to policy 1302, which is superintendent policy. Does any board member have anything that they would like to address on policy 1302? Member Antonson, >> I would move to strike the words personal and from 3D. >> Okay. Um really quickly I want to pull that up before uh I ask for a second on that. So we are on 1302 >> and we are looking at >> under general responsibilities D and you are suggesting we strike the word personal and so it would then it currently reads where responsibilities are not specifically prescribed nor school board policy applicable the superintendent shall use personal and professional judgment subject to review by the school board. The motion that we have in front of us is to amend that to read where responsibilities are not specifically prescribed nor schoolboard policy applicable. The superintendent shall use professional judgment subject to review by the school board. Do I have a second on that motion? >> Second. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion on the amendment? Member Christensen. >> 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 don't what I don't know. I'm not sure. I I wouldn't I would leave in person. Any other discussion on the amendment? >> 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. And have we not everybody in society in the last 5 to 10 years been asked to introspect on their personal biases? So it's work that everybody has done. And I think just take out the personal and leave it at professional judgment. That's what they're doing. And at a administrative superintendent level, I think that's my personal bias is that's how decisions should be made is based more on professional judgment than anything else. Any other discussion on that amendment? Amen. >> We could go on round and round, but we're all human beings. We're we're people. I mean, you can't say you don't have an opinion or it's going to if you're if you're definitely a professional superintendent. You're going to have I mean, it's who you are. I mean, I don't know how you can, like she say, take it like who you are away. You're still a professional and you're a person. So, I don't I guess I I don't understand how you split them either. But, I mean, I guess it's not the end of the world. Doesn't work. But I'm I'm just saying we're all human beings. So, you're going to have experiences. You're going to be who you are in your position. So, it's hard to cut that out of your job. >> So, memorand >> I'd further say too that the rest of what this is saying is that the superintendent shall use if we're going to take out personal maybe not professional judgment subject to review by the school board. if they I would think as a superintendent you've probably run into millions of different scenarios and you know you know in the back of your mind all your rules and policies that you've got to work with. If if you were to run into something, you or superintendent anywhere that you weren't sure how to deal with, this would also help assure that it comes to the board and have more eyes on something so that we're not risking personal bias. >> I I I personally agree with the the amendment. I think it removes some of the ambiguity when it when we're making difficult decisions. Just it it clearly illustrates that professional judgment is the uh uh paramount concern. I think member Corkin and member Christensen do make good points that um as you progress through your career, you do have those personal experiences, but you are reflecting back to your time as a professional and and recognizing what um what was critical. So, um I think it's a a good change myself and uh I'll support the amendment. Is there any other discussion on the amendment? All right. Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Those opposed? >> No. >> No. >> Okay. The motion carried. Um any other discussion or amendments for policy 1302? >> Okay. Seeing none, that will bring us to policy 1303. the superintendent selection policy. Any um discussion, questions, items on 1303. All right, seeing none, that will bring us to policy 1304, which is the superintendent contract duties and evaluation policy. Any questions, comments, motions on that one? Um all right, seeing none, I do have a motion myself here on 1304. I'm pull it up really quick here. Um, in section 2A, I move to add and shall be posted publicly on the Forest Lake Area School website alongside all other employment contracts. >> So, second. >> Okay, we have a motion. We have a second. The sentence currently reads, "The superintendent's contract shall be used to formalize the employment relationship and to specifically identify and clarify all conditions of employment with the superintendent." And there it ends. I'm suggesting that we add that and we clarify that the superintendent's contract shall be posted publicly on the Forest Lake Area Schools website alongside other employee contracts. Um, historically, I'll speak to this really briefly here. Um, historically we we have done that when we did the website redesign. All of our contracts are posted with the exception of the superintendent's contract. Um, there was just a report on this on uh KSTP's website where they pulled together a bunch of superintendent contracts. And one of the things that really stood out to me was that uh a lot of these contracts are really hidden from the public view. They had to make foyer requests. In some cases, they had to pay to receive them. Um, this is public data. The superintendent's contract is no more sensitive than the teachers contract, than the principal's contract. There's no reason that this shouldn't be publicly available. And uh, this just clarifies that uh, intent by the board. So, any uh, comments on the motion? All right. Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Those opposed? >> No. >> Okay. Motion carries. That brings us to the um policy implementation policy 1305. Are there any comments? Uh any motions on policy 1305? All right. Seeing none, we'll move to policy 1306, the administrator code of ethics policy. Is there any discussion? Member Antonson. I move to amend 1306 to include Minnesota statute 3512.5200 in its entirety. Um what I realized when I was looking through board book here is the sheet that we were given in the policy committee is two-sided and it does not match what's in board book here. board book just has the the um >> the first page >> well most of the first page and then >> if I if I may I believe that what you have in front of you is the Minnesota rule that points to the statute does not include the statute language but the MDE's rules related to the statute that's what you see on the document if you have items >> yes I I I got that from Donna when we were in the policy committee this 35 5125200 and it's yeah Minnesota rules code of ethics for school administrators. >> Um and then but underneath when you get through A through K underneath there it says subp3 statutory enforcement of code complaints investigation and hearing. The board must enforce this part according to Minnesota statute section 21410, which I would also say should be on here because that has to do with how any kind of um complaints or discipline would be handled. >> Sure. And then before I even ask for a second here, well the motion still belongs to member antinson and not the board um as a whole. Um I I have a brief question here. This is defined in statute >> at the moment. >> That's part that's part of the rule. >> I mean member Christensen got the same thing. Maybe she can speak to this as well because we got this sheet in the >> but the part that's missing is is part of the statute. That's kind of >> Well, the part that's not on board book it it is according to the sheet we got. It's two-sided. >> May I uh may I make a suggestion then? Um that's a lot of text to be adding through an amendment right now. So what I would suggest is since it's in statute, it's statute driven. And I do think it's important, we do this with a lot of our policies to include the language >> um and be comprehensive about it. But if you'd be willing to withdraw your motion um I would suggest that we bring this back um at a future date uh perhaps even on the 23rd with the language added so that the public has an opportunity to view that text and so that other board members have an opportunity to review it as well. >> Okay. >> Would that be acceptable? >> Sure. >> Okay. So we're going to withdraw that motion then member antinson and that brings us to the conclusion unless there is some additional discussion on the original motion which just to remind uh members here was to resend policies 202 through 214 and replace them now with the amended policies 1301 through 1306 as presented. Member >> just a question on 1306 in board book here. The red lines is this where did the red lines come from? Minnesota rule. >> That was the rule. Okay. >> That's the other one. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, was that was discussed in the policy committee then or was this just updated? >> Yeah. Those were the changes the policy committee made and sent back to us. Correct. >> All right. >> Yeah. And what member Antinson noted was that uh the changes weren't fully inclusive of the rule. >> So, would that rule that in question then would you just add that under legal references and then would that cover >> potentially? That's why I want to review uh Member Ankinson's motion in a little bit more depth, knowing that it's in statute. It's something we need to do anyway um before we add the language to our policy, adopt it. Let's take a little bit of time to unpack that, understand what it is, put the proposal out before the board, >> but it might be as simple as adding it to the legal reference section. >> Very possible. >> All right. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> All right. Any other questions or discussions on the motion? >> All right. Seeing none, all those in favor signify by oh member. >> The motion would not include 1306. Then >> it would include 1306 as currently presented and uh we would bring back 1306 if necessary to make revisions to it in the future. All right. Any other questions? Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Those opposed? >> No. >> No. >> Okay. Motion carries. Um brings us to 9.1 first reading transportation employees drug alcohol and cannabis testing policy 313. Dr. Massie, >> the changes that are reflected in this policy at this first reading um really reflect the federal guidelines with respect to drug and alcohol testing. We follow federal testing guidelines currently for the transportation department. The language in the policy capture some of the federal language but largely captures the state language. The federal um auditors of these policies are recommending that we adopt in the policy the federal language and that's what you see in the recommendations. >> All right. This is a first reading tonight. No action is taken reviewing upcoming calendar dates. As Dr. Massie mentioned earlier on um Wednesday, we do have a subcommittee meeting to discuss the strategic plan and I believe our next board meeting is on the 23rd. With that said, I would entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All right, we have a motion and second. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by saying I. I. Those opposed. >> All right, we are adjourned. Thank you everybody.