[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6265301,"mediaKeyId","3092616-3e7c0dfbda29b48cf4897078863b4999","parentId",3092616,"title","Albert Lea student Max Richards receives MSBA Robert E. Meeks scholarship","audioSeconds",80,"startMs",24000,"endMs",104000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3092616-3e7c0dfbda29b48cf4897078863b4999&start=24&end=104","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3092616-3e7c0dfbda29b48cf4897078863b4999/thumbnail_24000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6265301/Minnesota/Albert-Lea-student-Max-Richards-receives-MSBA-Robert-E-Meeks-scholarship","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265301-07696df752f72e7a440580b7e88d83fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770977601&Signature=DM0ddXoA4xcw8JmbWvd4jviX5cA7SjkiKXqYkEJ1fAGd5e5sFLmai5DtoD2yPRvVOqV7CUWHTS41bg8ZGbbZ1OOAiBVRxmXjvGo2tjagBM-GGL0Dda9~o~8VQRrgAiG5bKAMOGLbYGzQKAtFHYdXKMBldJXSzI39~WjgYYst5MoR3azpFZQHLTvCqFaTfdU65Z~L4vkOk2I7PiAXGHH~KA4GHpfgMebca6PWi4DNostpzrcDXBALNGG3LjMdCECaZgnkQPPFTteKeXyMvUAWa~NAPYI3WeQ04lQiKORsbKAINUWkbwxeCLaTL0ncqPNnbEW4cy~IO2UfzMrEe6NhFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Albert Lea Public School District","date","2025-04-23T13:21:26.11Z","article","The Minnesota School Boards Association named Albert Lea student Max Richards the recipient of the Robert E. Meeks Student School Board Member Scholarship and presented the $3,000 award at the school board meeting.

Kirk Schneidowind, introduced by the board as the MSBA executive director in attendance, presented the scholarship on behalf of the association. He said the $3,000 award is one of three in the state and recognizes students who become involved with their school boards and understand how board decisions affect students. “The Albert Lea school district and community should feel very proud to have Max working alongside them,” Schneidowind said.

Christy Peterson, MSBA president, said a committee of five selected three winners from nearly 50 applications and praised Richards for his school and community involvement in activities including swimming, track, music ensembles and teaching trumpet lessons.

Max Richards spoke briefly during the meeting, thanked the board for support and said he plans to attend the University of Minnesota. The superintendent and board congratulated Richards and urged him to “spend the $3,000 well,” the superintendent said.

The presentation was noted during the superintendent’s report and on the agenda; no formal board action was required for the scholarship presentation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Albert Lea Area Schools - Board Meeting - April 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Minnesota School Boards Association presented Max Richards, Albert Lea High School student, with the Robert E. Meeks Student School Board Member Scholarship worth $3,000; MSBA leaders attended the meeting to present the award.","taxTitle","ALBERT LEA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Boards, Minnesota","taxId",65555,"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},6265305,"Board approves group of 12 policy revisions recommended by MSBA",877,4009000,4886000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3092616-3e7c0dfbda29b48cf4897078863b4999&start=4009&end=4886","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3092616-3e7c0dfbda29b48cf4897078863b4999/thumbnail_4009000.jpg","/articles/6265305/Minnesota/Board-approves-group-of-12-policy-revisions-recommended-by-MSBA","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265305-5188d2351222c7111c09fd0ac93f58de/orig.mp4?Expires=1770977601&Signature=iCsPKh81be0fMEtwl1~8Xx9oO5HVrZpsKEy-iwf0ClFpj9CilkPtFOmAHZA6J4ep3aF2mqx~TXEbJQOBoUwHL9qDQbxgjXK7Fps5pah3ftYJlAMMvXXqipBzE0OT-ohAgGd1LSN19Es-9f~EfOjK8CnAY8x0cLButvCLaiZ1VwJFaYnXvGq5UPLlMtwsPtpyCz1GostEx1~tcb6nEqn866297dSLp~f7j~y-w8hJgg9yteVLEuXBnoJIw4hZqgdSDWsHf9CM5slev8-Ez8VSTHy1KD8RL8Owvqc1UMDHLsLk7b~k9l3HKYWU0Q0NFLmqboY864~mQrKY3HevbxWH8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Albert Lea Public School District School Board approved a package of policy revisions, many recommended by the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA), in a single action.

Ashley (policy committee presenter) summarized the committee’s review of 12 policies. Revisions included aligning the district mission statement with the strategic roadmap (policy 104); updating the official posting place for board agendas (policy 203.7) after the boardroom move; a review of administrator code of ethics (policy 306); and updates to the district harassment policy to reflect an expanded definition of disability under the Minnesota Human Rights Act (policy 413).

Other updates included policy 501 (school weapons), which now adds a definition for dangerous weapons and documents required reporting to the Minnesota Department of Education; policy 512 and a related policy on student publications, clarifying student freedom of expression in school‑sponsored publications and protections against retaliation for employees disclosing information to the MDE commissioner (policy 614); and changes to graduation requirements to reflect Minnesota Read Act interventions and required social studies content (policy 613).

The package also included changes to postsecondary enrollment and online learning options (policy 620 and related language) and a revision to community notification language to replace older terminology with a MSBA‑recommended term. Ashley said the policy committee had discussed the changes and that most revisions followed MSBA legal guidance or new statutes.

A board member moved to approve the policies as presented; a second followed and the board approved the package in a single vote. The chair announced the motion carried.

Board members discussed the next steps for policy implementation, including posting the approved policies to the district’s Google Drive, updating the employee handbook and staff education about policy changes. The board asked administration to present some policy‑related topics (for example, Tiger Cub finance and self‑insurance details) in future workshop sessions.","The board approved a package of policy updates — mostly MSBA-recommended statutory alignments and clarifications — in a single vote; changes ranged from mission statement alignment to updates on weapons reporting and student publications.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6265311,"School board approves 10% increase to employee health insurance premiums",829,3154000,3983000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3092616-3e7c0dfbda29b48cf4897078863b4999&start=3154&end=3983","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3092616-3e7c0dfbda29b48cf4897078863b4999/thumbnail_3154000.jpg","/articles/6265311/Minnesota/School-board-approves-10-increase-to-employee-health-insurance-premiums","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265311-602e5d14b3aa9bfdc51cb9cf314eef9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770977601&Signature=Im971VSVm3kLeUtPU5VJHNZ13SPZT-WDDCgO6cdgYx5IxOcxxktopl1YFpPlNNQY-pHa9JVC4Ad8mZCnyym~frXkxtlIbSWDSvw3sMJCKsj6MrF4GhN3Iijcp6px5oRRKC~9Kwd8dOhA02mo9uzdtwLnC84Sca97UMV7d6HDAFx4ExYNzr~I2pExaz5FId3vqSDiSERe5ev7PR300gpTFY3Y1eImKHdAR9Ez52NB2Od33rVdiGHzoJgunq3pziXkwb3-46Un2QFlI7ScMqR8vBxgYUOnWRZVMnhMpcLvcqxYfX9SUN5cozM0ckuWeeCGTgfzOFm~9tJp9oHdB4bcFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Albert Lea Public School District School Board voted to approve a 10% increase in employee health insurance premiums for the district’s self‑insured plan.

Paul Durbin, who introduced the item, said the district has maintained a self‑insured plan and cited internal controls that have kept rate increases lower than those reported in other districts. Aaron Casper of National Insurance Services (NIS), the district’s benefits consultant, told the board the recommended 10% increase responds to a recent uptick in high‑cost claims and a rise in stop‑loss (reinsurance) costs.

Casper said the district covers roughly 380 employees and dependents and that the plan experienced about a 12% uptick in overall claims during the past year. He said stop‑loss costs have risen substantially across the market and that the district’s investments in programs such as the WellWork clinic and the Healthiest You virtual care option have helped lower utilization of higher‑cost care settings.

Board members asked about an out‑of‑Mayo Clinic network option and whether offering a lower‑cost network could save money. Casper said the district considered a plan that would exclude Mayo Clinic but ultimately decided not to bring that option forward because it would likely be offered only on the highest deductible tier and would limit access to specialty care. Administration committed to provide more information to the board about network/design options in a future update.

Board member Neil and others noted the district’s WellWork clinic and Healthiest You program have helped redirect claims and provide same‑day or rapid access to care. The board moved, seconded and approved the 10% premium increase; the chair announced the motion carried 7–0.

The district said approval would allow open enrollment and benefit changes to proceed before summer and noted that there will also be dental and vision changes for staff this year. Blue Cross Blue Shield is the district’s carrier for medical claims administration under the self‑insured model.

Action: Board approved a 10% increase to health insurance premiums (motion carried 7–0).","After discussion of rising claims and stop‑loss costs, the board approved a 10% premium increase for the district’s self‑insured health plan; the vote carried 7–0.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6265315,"Parents press Albert Lea School Board over student behavior, safety at Lakeview",1407,485000,1892000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3092616-3e7c0dfbda29b48cf4897078863b4999&start=485&end=1892","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3092616-3e7c0dfbda29b48cf4897078863b4999/thumbnail_485000.jpg","/articles/6265315/Minnesota/Parents-press-Albert-Lea-School-Board-over-student-behavior-safety-at-Lakeview","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6265315-262ab2d6939f962d6fa3f8731f4cbeb5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770977601&Signature=ZhSDph3vSR7ZrV9qUQ7L8wrLwAcaxSGUU7Tf1rKX6m17koUT88H13NbR5mazAeLB~M2WdZ1NNaz-7bCh0Aaia0jscda23gdYlj5KXFbVeb0Ec87Y4bpN50j0otR1nri6ehQlMZm0aiqKFitwayF6yIsomAGkSULM4cWgqT0djsc3thxZhGktbFX0XFf9GlR3Apv~CIrZfe0nh2ph57i77~2aax6SvklLJ3FukYBHLZ9cM~syWbR7xmWcovtd1mIzYVB3PB6AwoQTGSWaPv4-XK52qHwPP4OKeOU~kWlpNcpwbKZpdKWlTJTczDDBn85nnXiTgIXl0w5l8YsNpYA3tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple parents told the Albert Lea Public School District School Board during the meeting's open public forum that repeated, serious student behavioral incidents at Lakeview School are undermining classroom learning and raising safety concerns.

The parents said administrators have downplayed incidents, failed to notify families promptly and sometimes did not involve police. Lydia S., a parent, said she collected accounts from other families and organized an anonymous survey that drew 159 submissions and more than 40 direct messages. “Because these student examples were rejected as not valid, an additional anonymous survey was created in an effort to hear from a more widespread adult population,” Lydia S. told the board.

Parents described examples they said included repeated classroom “redecorating” by students (standing on desks, throwing heavy objects), threats between students and episodes the speakers described as traumatic for younger children. One parent said her third-grade son was told, “I’m going to hunt you down and kill you,” and that 39 days had passed without a clear response. Abby Murray, speaking for a parent who received a threat, said administrators had not called police and initially told parents the student’s bag would be checked for one day; the principal later described the threat differently, Murray said.

Several parents said their children have experienced anxiety and weight loss after repeated incidents. Emma Havan, a former district teacher and Lakeview parent, said: “I’m so scared my teacher is going to get hurt every day.” Other parents said teachers are frequently moved to tears because the same disruptive students remain in class while peers lose instructional time.

Superintendent David Krenz told the board he has met with multiple parents in recent weeks, that changes have been made to some protocols and that the district will provide additional support at Lakeview beginning this week. “We continue to listen, we continue to address issues, and it's not falling on deaf ears,” Krenz said. He also said the district crisis team had recently met to support families and staff after a separate incident described as a community crisis.

Speakers at the forum said they would submit the anonymized survey results to the board after the meeting. Board members asked whether the collected submissions had been compiled, and Lydia S. said she intended to provide the materials to the district after the meeting.

The board did not take action during the public forum; several members later said they had been meeting with parents and staff and thanked speakers for raising the concerns. The superintendent and other board members said they will continue follow-up with families and staff and review the survey submissions that parents said they will submit.

Clarifying details provided to the board included the survey size (159 submissions, with more than 40 direct messages), at least one threat that parents said had not been addressed for 39 days, reports of student weight loss tied to school-related anxiety, and repeated descriptions of classroom evacuations or students leaving class while a disruptive child remained.

The district did not provide a written timeline of specific next steps at the meeting; parents requested transparency about immediate actions and future plans and said they expect prompt follow-up from administration.","Multiple parents described repeated classroom disruptions, threats and delayed responses by school officials at Lakeview School during the board's open forum; the district superintendent said staff are meeting with families and will provide more support at Lakeview.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Albert Lea student Max Richards receives MSBA Robert E. Meeks scholarship

Board approves group of 12 policy revisions recommended by MSBA

School board approves 10% increase to employee health insurance premiums

Parents press Albert Lea School Board over student behavior, safety at Lakeview