[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6484561,"mediaKeyId","5653833-77623d7c5e83818095369513d86f1ebc","parentId",5653833,"title","Board tables amendment on administrator ethics language after members seek MSBA guidance","audioSeconds",6665,"startMs",545000,"endMs",7210000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5653833-77623d7c5e83818095369513d86f1ebc&start=545&end=7210","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5653833-77623d7c5e83818095369513d86f1ebc/thumbnail_545000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6484561/Minnesota/Board-tables-amendment-on-administrator-ethics-language-after-members-seek-MSBA-guidance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484561-6eeea78a508dabe65f260f9faf00a893/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505948&Signature=dy~gRQjdKtccjxFSzmeNN5qd2PDUEUFAeGhEkgkiPrhC-sfvNUqTPxpBN2Dgrz67RmI13JYqCiVDNAuc3XXuKx1foKIQh1Ly6~EhY8RSPN6B0idM2qo9iEd-EgiS1DI57qlA738PFiBEjdCQD~hWQL79Vm0jA6LABw9kT5AxNv6gBkD~9rvjQfFmipNnFiPtYdVlnySGiXFCom5orRmQcH3DBcSpNNgphzJde-qhiy~fN8ouP~Tr-pULliPyQGg7jOdjRKVgdPHjg7kKkouI9BEh-9aNY6Cw03WRGMawMO6-0LaCTbyl0DS-rFI46PrPDbYsz44LHzkUehnBCtqzyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Forest Lake Public School District","date","2025-08-22T00:29:05.787Z","article","Board members discussed proposed superintendent/administrator ethics language from MSBA model policy that would prohibit administrators from knowingly joining or supporting organizations that \"advocate directly or indirectly to the overthrow of the government.\" Several board members called the phrase extreme and potentially vague; others urged caution and asked for MSBA's legal rationale.

Member Christiansen proposed striking the clause and replacing it with a shorter directive to \"obey local, state and national laws, period.\" Several board members asked administration to consult MSBA about the origin and intent of the language before making a change to the model policy. Superintendent Dr. Massey said he concurred the phrase is \"rather extreme\" and could not envision staff engaging in such activity; he recommended asking MSBA for context.

A motion to remove the clause was made and then tabled at the board's request pending information from MSBA and legal review. The board noted it could revisit the amendment at the Sept. 4 meeting after administration consults MSBA and returns with recommended language or background.

Ending
The board tabled the proposed deletion and asked administration to obtain MSBA and legal guidance about the provision's origin and intended use; the item may return for amendment at the next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","August 21, 2025 - School Board Meeting of Forest Lake Area Schools","oneSentenceSummary","Board members debated proposed MSBA model-policy language that would bar administrators from joining or supporting organizations that \"advocate directly or indirectly to the overthrow of the government,\" then tabled a motion to strike the clause until MSBA legal guidance can be obtained.","taxTitle","FOREST LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",65366,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6484566,"Board discusses vendor list and transparency; directs staff to explore searchable board-bill documents",436,4520000,4956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5653833-77623d7c5e83818095369513d86f1ebc&start=4520&end=4956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5653833-77623d7c5e83818095369513d86f1ebc/thumbnail_4520000.jpg","/articles/6484566/Minnesota/Board-discusses-vendor-list-and-transparency-directs-staff-to-explore-searchable-board-bill-documents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484566-101578c2767e6e4b3f72aac07876dd51/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505948&Signature=FV4BgSSEJKfIK8gNY94satedV7dBFBLCQAzoXd3ZDuJHfIhrZ2o9Abu6dPQ0WjURZzexz2TiVacfr9ioJmY37AMJkOTv23swLhJQs5laqLcPrNo9qwP4DkOWvuKAYTjWRuomK~3gS8M4V-I2u3oQDA4uY90~IBIAmiqCTnOatQpI8HVU7NnHn4qK0a-kTKZgDbkNaMbaCPDP~vyP5HdKHHPVu2Y8R4H3hm~z3M-D8HoT7zaJOA8JRsRLbG8O8t9QyzU6bC2L-7lJRvL3cpYEDAjSzaa63Gj44Xevczw~vxclo7X3h0WFm6CKQFvr-zzTdWHjD3KrAftrQfxCBhGqNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Forest Lake Area Schools board discussed a three-year vendor report after community members asked for clearer public visibility into who the district contracts with and how much is spent.

Chair member introduced the vendor list as a transparency measure and said the aggregate report helps the public understand annual vendor relationships that are otherwise difficult to track in image-based board-bill PDFs. Board members and community commenters said several local businesses provide volunteer and sponsorship support and expressed concern about how vendor information is interpreted.

Several board members said the finance department conducts competitive bidding and vetting for large-dollar items and that many national vendors appear on the list for reasons of scale or state-level procurement. Questions raised included whether some insurance accounts (e.g., Liberty Mutual, Madison National Life) represent building liability, employee benefits, or other coverage; administration said it would research the items and report back.

After discussion, the board approved an amended motion directing administration to explore whether board bills and vendor reports can be delivered in text-searchable (OCR) format and to report on feasibility. The amendment passed and the board asked the business office to prepare follow-up information for the public on line-item definitions where feasible.

Ending
Administration will investigate OCR/text-searchable delivery for board bills and vendor reports and return with feasibility findings; the board and public will receive follow-up on particular vendor line items as requested.","Following public concern about vendor relationships, the board reviewed a three-year vendor report, discussed bringing more procurement locally, and directed administration to study converting board bills and vendor reports into searchable, text-based PDFs for public transparency.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6484568,"Forest Lake reports enrollment uptick, rolls out reimagined middle school plan and activity buses",0,2806000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5653833-77623d7c5e83818095369513d86f1ebc&start=2806&end=2806","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5653833-77623d7c5e83818095369513d86f1ebc/thumbnail_2806000.jpg","/articles/6484568/Minnesota/Forest-Lake-reports-enrollment-uptick-rolls-out-reimagined-middle-school-plan-and-activity-buses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484568-04ffa8cf38e46930b2ce0f0432e0aec4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505948&Signature=nA2UHFvlTKi2gkTkxlIpbDv7l45o8G3X5SxDPrkg5Lr2pPUE5Cpryz1f~n-iTtrdYWJm5o1JNsTarI5q4Yh3hmR2tvOzRKZGpJl~YQBWyHwCUgYPswtkRWV8UNQ5DotQ9LYUJyMNbGAP0LiGQ79AF9g19nFIlYwZeYPxFa9g96SGmwDj6nKmkTIpeyutlBFIFmQjK3V52rB0rrLaK6h4MIDGLdWixh1g5Thj0FNxx9Eqv3nWvrfFpGs22fzb0BgdemjsIQ4g1daZXYRZAqKFzjHyM4x7dG9CD7JMbBuDzir5Dadow2LjWm7rGOtqkp5UgzPs-6UzueFnm2QwqJVsLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Massey told the Forest Lake Area Schools board the district is beginning the school year with growth in enrollment, new grade-configuration changes and added student supports.

Districtwide enrollment was presented at 5,612 students, about 157 students over the count used for the district budget and 63 students above last year’s ending enrollment, Dr. Massey said. He said the increase comes primarily from students transferring in from charter schools, homeschooling and neighboring districts; housing development accounted for a small portion of the growth.

Dr. Massey reviewed the district's reimagined 2025 plan, which for the first time moved sixth graders into the middle school. He said that after staffing adjustments, average class sizes in core middle-school classes are projected to remain between 26 and 28 — similar to previous sixth-grade averages — and that enrollment for sixth grade was projected to be up by 49 students compared with the prior fifth-grade cohort.

The district also completed a consolidation of Forest Lake Elementary and Forest View Elementary. The newly consolidated school is projected to open with about 491 students; the district added counseling/social-work capacity for that building.

As part of the achievement and integration (ANI) plan, Dr. Massey said the district will expand activity buses. In addition to an existing Thursday route, ANI-funded activity buses will run Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning the second week of school to transport secondary students who stay for targeted academic services and students participating in activities. Targeted services for literacy and math are expected to begin in October and are separate from routine after-school homework help; staff said those programs will be organized around skill development identified by classroom assessments.

Board members praised principals and staff for the planning work, asked for monitoring of activity-bus utilization and requested follow-up reports on whether targeted services and expanded busing meet demand. One board member asked for a small-group review of the district strategic plan before the Sept. 18 meeting to allow directors to dig into goals and next steps.

Ending
Administration will track and report back on activity-bus usage and on how class sizes and staffing perform during the opening weeks; small-group meetings on the strategic plan will be scheduled before a fuller board discussion on Sept. 18.","Superintendent Dr. Massey reported enrollment at 5,612 (about 157 above the budgeted projection), the move of sixth graders into the middle school under the 'Reimagined 2025' plan, consolidation of two elementary schools, and the addition of weekday activity buses funded under the achievement and integration plan.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6484570,"Forest Lake board OKs $339,220 serving-line contract and raises substitute pay",286,1010000,1296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5653833-77623d7c5e83818095369513d86f1ebc&start=1010&end=1296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5653833-77623d7c5e83818095369513d86f1ebc/thumbnail_1010000.jpg","/articles/6484570/Minnesota/Forest-Lake-board-OKs-339220-serving-line-contract-and-raises-substitute-pay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484570-4dd3a8934ac1951297221d0c86b8b00e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505948&Signature=ev364li2QySwjEhGOaSqQiq-zVZDBXBMHdwIO~mxPLdOxrlGpk7--3XCkKrTgbV3pzj3IvQTt4k0Mu1oR7cPVYB7HREvZng9NKMrea~0WYGuMLtMcv1Z3WbVOcLNXnn25htiMcYAjHWBLlEFPLDko9B68m9Hl1aTzGO~RdskKm8B~sKCSnqPv4A0rG3MJiMxaVpx6ke8F4k-nDBjSlGbDpjK6fbubS5BZF2TcX2SMBqzQ3eTwGP-tXXJQGliCl3ltiE0HsHBzD0V1EFyRTWt54S0j2idsgL9fU3vjoF5CSUi5pdY7fcQt66fofqiEklwTEV--Ra4ZVF2Blm-vU3Utg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Forest Lake Area Schools Board of Education voted to award a contract for new high-school cafeteria serving lines and approved increases to substitute pay, saying the steps aim to improve food service options and ease chronic substitute shortages.

Administration recommended awarding the serving-line contract to Collinix, which submitted the lowest compliant bid of $339,220.81, and said installation is planned for December, weather and customization permitting. \"The new lines will provide for greater flexibility, efficiency, and food options for kids, including regular salad bar, burger line for kids,\" Superintendent Dr. Massey said while presenting the recommendation.

The board also approved a change to the district's substitute teacher policy (policy 4.17), increasing the daily rate from $150 to $170 to make Forest Lake more competitive with neighboring districts. Dr. Massey said higher substitute pay is intended to reduce the frequency that classroom teachers must cover other classes, which increases costs and reduces teacher prep time.

Separately, the board approved rate adjustments for short-term classified substitutes (policy 4.34). Most classified substitute rates were raised by $1 per hour — for example, the general classified sub rate moved from $14 to $15 per hour — and the health office LPN substitute rate moved from $19 to $20 per hour. Administration said these increases are incremental and that it will monitor whether the changes improve applicant pools.

Board members asked administration to report back if substitute shortages persist. One member asked for a midyear update and for administration to compare the new rates with neighboring districts and with entry-level full-time staff to avoid creating pay inversion between substitutes and permanent employees.

Votes at a glance
- Award serving-line contract to Collinix for $339,220.81 — approved (voice vote; ayes recorded). (Action: approve contract)
- Substitute teacher daily rate increased from $150 to $170 — approved (voice vote; ayes recorded). (Action: policy 4.17 rate change)
- Classified substitute rates increased (general subs $14→$15/hr; LPN $19→$20/hr; other listed positions +$1/hr) — approved (roll call; Member Christensen abstained). (Action: policy 4.34 rate change)

Administration noted contingency scheduling windows (winter break and spring break) for serving-line installation and said the spring window is a fallback if customization timelines slip. The board emphasized monitoring and directed administration to return with data on substitute fills and on whether the pay changes materially expand the applicant pool.

The board approved the items after limited discussion and moved them into effect to ensure changes would apply at the start of the school year.

Ending
The board tied the two decisions — capital procurement for improved meal service and compensation changes for substitutes — to operational goals for the coming school year: faster meal service and fewer instances of teachers covering classes without pay for the district's financial benefit. Administration will provide follow-up on timeline and staffing impacts as requested by board members.","At a regular meeting, the Forest Lake Area Schools board approved a $339,220.81 contract for a high-school serving line and raised daily and hourly substitute rates to address shortages, with the board asking administration to monitor impacts.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6484556,"Parents and residents urge better tools for administrators, criticize timing of new ethics policies",76,159000,235000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5653833-77623d7c5e83818095369513d86f1ebc&start=159&end=235","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5653833-77623d7c5e83818095369513d86f1ebc/thumbnail_159000.jpg","/articles/6484556/Minnesota/Parents-and-residents-urge-better-tools-for-administrators-criticize-timing-of-new-ethics-policies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484556-8bc8e2081f556ca8265eebfe994e3037/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505948&Signature=BRc~sXdX0m7-MDVCxhYU8VxUhsLSJif-ED2Ah-sLamCb6jMhkJfpQ6dSUAm-vSSfCn7EUFjJDpX5Cn2MgewqUEcA4Ne~enoECKpC0i6feM-zlOsApfm-ua-jXpju-gURWPFtRX6Z5jhIqdkS6SOQIEt4a8fi3UE7rN4xTJVlk2QirJqyWpWf4P09eXUvuQahrq2c~AV7HbhTYJjtUf8qD9B~FGbGFeD4bn8ajSXoK5ePgpJHLt4WxC5Oa7cPdNwpDQa5sUylmEl9MbTQCSoBh6M6Rm7V4SPy944f3DDjGLIj07ZDsWvW4-h2Go3M~PJDbGluIhyU4n3YZ6apVh02IQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple community members used public comment to press the board on student safety, administrator support and the timing of new policies.

Laura Farrison, who described herself as a mental-health worker and a parent, told the board her daughter was assaulted multiple times on school property and that school administrators had told the family they lacked the tools and supports to protect her. She said the other student was found guilty in court and that her daughter is \"afraid to return to school,\" adding, \"No child should be afraid to return to school.\" Farrison said administration and the board should stop adding new general policies and instead provide the specific resources and enforcement to make current policies effective.

Other commenters urged the board to prioritize student safety, academic supports and community healing rather than rapid policy changes. Several speakers criticized the timing and content of a new administrator code-of-ethics policy, arguing the language could be vague or misused against staff. One commenter who identified as a combat veteran framed the debate around free-speech protections, saying elected officials should not use policy to silence dissent.

The public-comments segment preceded action on consent and agenda items and followed board reminders about decorum and a three-minute time limit per speaker.

Ending
Board members acknowledged the comments; later in the meeting several members emphasized plans to increase administrative tools (as part of the district's operational updates) and invited additional follow-up with administration on the matters raised during public comment.","Several public commenters urged the board to give school administrators better tools and supports to protect students after an assault case, criticized the timing and vagueness of new administrator ethics language, and called for accountability and focus on student safety and academics.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board tables amendment on administrator ethics language after members seek MSBA guidance

Board discusses vendor list and transparency; directs staff to explore searchable board-bill documents

Forest Lake reports enrollment uptick, rolls out reimagined middle school plan and activity buses

Forest Lake board OKs $339,220 serving-line contract and raises substitute pay

Parents and residents urge better tools for administrators, criticize timing of new ethics policies