StorySchool Board Self-Evaluation SurveyJuly 23, 2026

School board deadlocks on vacant seat after interviewing two candidates

The Forest Lake Area Schools board failed twice on March 20 to fill an empty board seat, with both candidates receiving exactly three votes in deadlocked 3-3 votes. The board interviewed Mrs. Hanson and Mrs. Morehead, but members remained sharply divided on which candidate could best serve the district.

Published Jul 23, 2026

The board spent much of the meeting interviewing the two candidates and debating their qualifications. Mrs. Morehead emphasized her deep knowledge of district history, conservative values, and experience with previous superintendent searches. She highlighted her ability to build team unity, recounting how she once dressed as Chicken Little during a leadership transition to boost morale. Mrs. Hanson stressed her passion for students, consensus-building skills, and diverse educational background, saying her "true north compass" is ensuring "the kids in our community" are supported. She positioned herself as a bridge to help the seven-member board function more cohesively.

Board members expressed strong support for both candidates but split along ideological lines. Members supporting Mrs. Morehead cited her governance experience, understanding of school finance and legislative advocacy, and alignment with community members who wanted a conservative voice on the board. Members backing Mrs. Hanson valued her emphasis on respectful communication and ability to foster unity among divided board members. Member Corcoran, who voted against Mrs. Morehead, said he had concerns about "respectful communication" based on past experience.

Member Corcoran made the first motion to appoint Mrs. Morehead, seconded by Member Antonsen. The motion failed 3-3, with Members Reboline, Antonsen, and Castle voting no. Member Reboline then moved to appoint Mrs. Hanson, seconded by Member Corcoran. That motion also failed 3-3, with Members Corcoran, Christensen, and Tyson voting no. The seat remains vacant.

In other business, the board discussed a self-evaluation survey and heard a first reading on new Spanish immersion courses for middle school students. The board decided to conduct the 72-question self-evaluation survey immediately but defer the full report and workshop until after hiring a new superintendent, allowing the new leader to participate. On the Spanish immersion proposal, the board requested additional enrollment and financial data before taking action at a future meeting.

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Other Topics from This Document

School Board Vacant Seat Appointment
Spanish Immersion Course Proposal

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Votes (4)

7.1 School Board Self-Evaluation Survey

No formal action taken; discussion concluded with a plan for further information gathering and future discussion on April 7th.

The board discussed the logistics and timing of the self-evaluation survey, including utilizing SurveyMonkey for the 72-question input. The main point of contention was whether to complete the full report and workshop immediately or wait until a new superintendent is hired, to allow for their participation. A phased approach was suggested, starting with the survey data and deferring the full report and workshop. Member Corcoran agreed to consult with MSBA for feasibility.

7.2 School Board Vacant Seat

Motion fails (3-3)

Dissent: Member Reboline (No), Member Antonsen (No), Member Castle (No)

Moved by Member Corcoran [01:02:18] · Seconded by Member Antonsen [01:02:22]

The board interviewed two candidates, Mrs. Hanson and Mrs. Morehead, to fill a vacant seat. Discussions centered on their approaches to board unity, conflict resolution, leadership, and community connection. Mrs. Morehead emphasized her historical knowledge, conservative values, and experience with previous superintendent searches, while Mrs. Hanson highlighted her passion for students, consensus-building skills, and diverse educational experience. Board members expressed strong opinions for both candidates, emphasizing traits like experience, community connection, and ability to foster unity.

7.2 School Board Vacant Seat (Second Motion)

Motion fails (3-3)

Dissent: Member Corcoran (No), Member Christensen (No), Member Tyson (No)

Moved by Member Reboline [01:03:48] · Seconded by Member Corcoran [01:03:52]

Following the failed motion for Mrs. Morehead, a second motion was made to appoint the other candidate. No additional discussion beyond previous interview points was held before the vote. The motion for the second candidate also resulted in a tie, leaving the seat vacant.

8.1 First Reading: Recommendation to Approve Spanish Immersion 6 and Spanish Immersion 7 Courses

First reading only; no action taken.

Director Jacobson presented a proposal to introduce new Spanish immersion courses for 6th and 7th graders at the middle school level. The change would shift instruction from social studies taught in Spanish to a dedicated, semester-long 'Spanish for immersion students' course, aimed at improving conversational Spanish skills. This is a response to student enrollment trends and feedback from families. The board requested further enrollment and financial data for a subsequent reading.

Notable Quotes (10)

the school board self-evaluation tool is a 72 question evaluation conducted online and complete on personal or the school district computer. Takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes. It's 100% confidential.
— Member Tyson [00:00:46]

7.1 School Board Self-Evaluation Survey

I'll reach out to Gail Gilman at MSBA and just explain that we'd like to do the you know, the the actual questions first and then kind of come up with timing and we'd like to do the report. And then the second part is is definitely how to It's supposed to be a board superintendent team workshop. And that part we would do in July.
— Member Corcoran [00:02:16]

7.1 School Board Self-Evaluation Survey

I came up with the idea of dressing like a chicken, looking like an idiot. Um and I ran through the auditorium like Chicken Little. The sky is falling. The sky is falling. We've lost our leader. We don't have on our team. We don't have a leader and I'm going through the auditorium dressed like that. And then went up to the stage [clears throat] and the present superintendent was standing there. 'Don't worry, Chicken Little. I've taken the job.' We have a leader and we had our team back.
— Mrs. Morehead [00:04:47]

7.2 School Board Vacant Seat

My true north compass, it comes back to the kids in our community and that they're relying on the adults here to do right by them and to support them. Um the seven-member board, as you know, was designed to function fully. And I think what's been challenging for you and the community is that we haven't been able to embrace that as much as it could be yet. And I really believe that I can serve as a tool to try to help bring that together.

Ordinances & Resolutions (2)

School Board Self-Evaluation SurveyOther

A 72-question online evaluation tool with options for a brief overview report or a full, facilitated report, used for board self-assessment.

Spanish immersion 6 and Spanish immersion 7 coursesOther

Proposed new semester-long courses for middle school students who have participated in elementary Spanish immersion programs, focusing on conversational Spanish.

THE FOREST LAKE RECORDER

School board deadlocks on vacant seat after interviewing two candidates

Other Topics from This Document

School Board Vacant Seat Appointment

Spanish Immersion Course Proposal

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Votes (4)

Notable Quotes (10)

Ordinances & Resolutions (2)

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