[{"_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",6582009,"mediaKeyId","3176605-07726d08795252ed04e9d5546da4efb4","parentId",3176605,"title","Scandia Elementary presents JA BizTown and exhibition tie-in as district expansion of career and financial-literacy lessons","audioSeconds",993,"startMs",2321000,"endMs",3314000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3176605-07726d08795252ed04e9d5546da4efb4&start=2321&end=3314","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3176605-07726d08795252ed04e9d5546da4efb4/thumbnail_2321000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6582009/Minnesota/Scandia-Elementary-presents-JA-BizTown-and-exhibition-tie-in-as-district-expansion-of-career-and-financial-literacy-lessons","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582009-e03774463f5b3c5cfd93fecaf03ba5bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770676582&Signature=Zync-bIfvMYix-lxgas0ZHrqxljNZpT0cf~wM8HtImf0mO9rQb3dTTL7TkUte1eayi6yLEE2NTuIcdJv7KeQwe32mhLPJlfiz36Ak0DW5qtDWXAisNK8RNIpvHT29Ajkj09R2Gj~8YmnosBchZdQFEcwU~NI7vpxb4vbDE42T48G53cUCNTqSRKFWQop417KXXoPx5lIarMOQtGbJunM1utq7QhsX3SSkWkAtDxgG5uf5raoDWuVsVG956nLYs~oYptpcVSh7NabuH4xIz1AiCr-y-vhsSCK6LdCGkOT2whOwkAXP0D~Jsf1-15WA0zOdy3wD8qPMX5GxSPrCK9CkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Forest Lake Public School District","date","2025-05-02T03:03:43.267Z","article","Scandia Elementary staff told the board May 1 that Junior Achievement's BizTown program is being integrated into fifth-grade work across Forest Lake Area Schools, pairing classroom financial- and career-readiness lessons with a capstone field trip and a cross-curricular exhibition.

Principal Shannon Carafel introduced the program and said BizTown is embedded across language arts, social studies and math standards and is part of the district's achievement and integration plan. \"It is hands on and immersive,\" she said, describing a classroom sequence that culminates in a 4- to 5-hour in-person experience where students operate a mock town.

Teacher Bethany Lechshied (phonetic) shared lesson details: students learn financial literacy (banks, checks, savings), community economics and career readiness (speed interviews, mock elections), and business management (loans, personnel and basic accounting). Carafel and staff said volunteers from the community run BizTown businesses during the capstone, providing real-world mentorship and practice.

AJ Hanson, the school's IB coach, described how Scandia is soft-launching its existing sixth-grade exhibition as a fifth-grade integrated product by adopting BizTown. Students will construct a \"Me When I'm 40\" portfolio page and a five-page school newspaper called the Scandia Gazette to present at an exhibition day. \"We're giving students a vehicle to apply the things that they are learning to real-life skills,\" Hanson said.

Students and advisers presented related district programs. The student-led RISE group, which promotes substance-free activities, presented survey data on healthy choices and recent campus events such as a pickleball tournament involving 88 participants. Adviser Carrie Caldwell and student representatives noted the program's positive survey results and ongoing community activities.

Why this matters: administrators cast BizTown as a platform for leadership, career awareness and soft-skill development that is scalable across elementary schools. The district says the program meets multiple state standards and will provide an early pipeline into middle- and high-school career-exploration activities.

Next steps: Scandia will expand the exhibition model, print student newspapers, and the district will roll components of BizTown districtwide as part of the revised achievement and integration plan.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 1, 2025 - School Board Meeting of Forest Lake Area Schools","oneSentenceSummary","Scandia Elementary staff described a program that brings Junior Achievement's BizTown to fifth graders, linking career exploration, financial literacy and an IB-aligned exhibition; administrators plan districtwide adoption as part of the achievement & integration plan.","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},6582014,"Votes at a glance: Forest Lake Area Schools board, May 1, 2025",6659,3939000,10598000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3176605-07726d08795252ed04e9d5546da4efb4&start=3939&end=10598","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3176605-07726d08795252ed04e9d5546da4efb4/thumbnail_3939000.jpg","/articles/6582014/Minnesota/Votes-at-a-glance-Forest-Lake-Area-Schools-board-May-1-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582014-0b15618a181587b04abd1f9e09aaf349/orig.mp4?Expires=1770676582&Signature=KKwJkZ7qV7iNwCQPFgFUoZRtL97-YqdcmvONCGC0AqAM4AxpCtBaqgzz~lU2AKiPlpFwUNZ5BpKP46dbmPmoe87utfGvExL8ON-sOetsGIhHPtRo-42CQfk6g3IKXqdor8PiRbUemgUB7zVbGQPKhv3xlTA8cf6z8y1YvmxppEMMiigw47aBuLEkqvbWQG984uyQ18FpL0ezBcXpVtqL2p0UQKBS~XHrQpgg2CGSPUkIX-967GMTwpCr48FwvKG1~ipgAeR0LIBXXVQSyCOyNXGWIibCH4iXmmaT4xMoSnuFjV-QqAxHe1PBiB3tFFbesZTnJnHmNoxv733y5PxDRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Forest Lake Area Schools board took a number of formal actions at its May 1 meeting. Key approvals, with the outcomes reported on the meeting record, are listed below. Where the transcript records a roll call, the vote is shown; otherwise the outcome is summarized.

- Bond issuance: Approved resolution authorizing $10,750,000 general obligation facilities maintenance bonds, series 2025A (sale results: low bid 3.26%). Roll call: Revaline Aye; Tyson absent; Antonson Aye; Castle Aye; Haglund Aye; Corcoran Aye; Christensen Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Contract approvals (labor): Bus drivers and bus aides collective-bargaining agreement approved (added $100 district contribution to family medical, Juneteenth added as holiday, stepped wage increases). Roll call: Castle Aye; Tyson absent; Haglund Aye; Revaline Aye; Corcoran Aye; Anne Towson Aye; Christensen Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Contract approvals (labor): Custodial collective-bargaining agreement approved (similar contribution increase and wages). Roll call: Corcoran Aye; Christensen Aye; Revaline Aye; Tyson absent; Anne Towson Aye; Castle Aye; Haglund Aye. Outcome: approved.

- School resource officer (SRO) agreement: Approved agreement continuing Forest Lake Police Department SROs at the high school, middle school and community school; contract updated to reference required SRO training and reflects officer wage changes passed by the city. Roll call: Castle Aye; Christensen Aye; Corcoran Aye; Haglund Aye; Revaline Aye; Antonson Aye; Tyson absent. Outcome: approved.

- Bus lease: Approved leases to replace and renew buses (14 new 77-passenger buses leased, 10 purchased, two special-education buses ordered for later delivery). Roll call: Christensen Aye; Anne Towson Aye; Castle Aye; Revaline Aye; Haglund Aye; Corcoran Aye; Tyson absent. Outcome: approved.

- Medical premiums: Board set employee medical premium rates for 2025-26, increasing single and family premiums (single: $1,075 '1 month to $1,178/month; family: $2,785/month to $3,050/month) to follow an insurer/TPA recommendation and reduce the district's self-insurance deficit. Roll call: Castle Aye; Anne Towson Aye; Haglund Aye; Revaline Aye; Christensen Aye; Corcoran Aye; Tyson absent. Outcome: approved.

- General fund budget adjustment: Approved a spring budget adjustment recognizing additional categorical revenue (special education hold-harmless, literacy aid and other items) and matching expenditures. Roll call: Castle Aye; Corcoran Aye; Anne Towson Aye; Tyson absent; Haglund Aye; Christensen Aye; Revaline Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Academic calendar 2026-27: Approved a calendar that starts before Labor Day (with an adjusted long weekend around Labor Day and a June 3 end date) after community survey and board discussion. Voice/roll call recorded: Haglund Aye; Anne Towson Aye; Revaline Aye; Castle Aye; Christensen Aye; Corcoran Aye; Tyson absent. Outcome: approved.

- School board meeting calendar 2024-26: Approved continuation of Thursday night board meetings as presented. Outcome: approved.

- Student-publications policy (policy 5.43): Approved an updated policy to align with Minnesota statute 121A.80 and new postpublication requirements. Outcome: approved.

- Learning policy (policy 6.20): Approved updates governing credit transfers, concurrent enrollment and postsecondary credit weighting. Outcome: approved.

- Donations and retirements: Board accepted donations totaling $20,852.18 and acknowledged staff retirements (Wendy Amond, Diane Danielson, John Ryan). Roll-call for donations included an abstention by Member Castle; otherwise approved. Outcome: approved.

Administrative procedural votes, first readings and recommitments

- Harassment and violence policy (4.25): The board voted to commit the policy back to committee for further review. Outcome: motion to commit passed.

- Policies in the 100 series (1.03 exceptions noted): First readings given; no final action on the full series at this meeting.

Why this matters: the bond authorization will fund deferred-maintenance projects and earned a competitive interest-rate result. Labor agreements and premium-setting affect district payroll and benefits budgets going into the next fiscal year. The boundary and calendar discussions (separate agenda items) will affect families planning for 2026-27.

Source: Forest Lake Area Schools meeting transcript, May 1, 2025. For details on any vote, see the district's official minutes and posted roll-call records.","The board approved multiple contracts, a $10.75 million facilities maintenance bond sale, budget and calendar items and other routine business. Roll-call tallies are recorded where the transcript gave them.",{"_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},6582018,"Forest Lake releases proposed elementary boundary changes after year-long design and public input process",2179,4085000,6264000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3176605-07726d08795252ed04e9d5546da4efb4&start=4085&end=6264","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3176605-07726d08795252ed04e9d5546da4efb4/thumbnail_4085000.jpg","/articles/6582018/Minnesota/Forest-Lake-releases-proposed-elementary-boundary-changes-after-year-long-design-and-public-input-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582018-57f9e173d52625e9968ebbc072433d3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770676582&Signature=WW4FEoqAWzmaTSNP3suqEZNG~ds6hWOzzWlcOgfYqXPsdI7vztYnY3Db03OCammvRlgAoVUzL4KzYg9fwa7P9GjOCNZeOIUCT0rL7zG2xu4kmhOwhBVFCNA21YjzIILAioPcumcRRz36ZFVzaNKlnZe8Hnd7CMAF-gZB8vSX98lVtohx2zx5xcxVwWP9h7ZTZALBSyJq~yqxt~ADuSMmbCGRi5MtSngVPRB48SGh2fuJIOaeScx0wCvWH1mje1vYURFI5nDiorJfEZ7QA4N8pZKArDwmQAka73Y-LEkmmsMi6u-5vDRZqkmAbjgus2K2eDDm1zBZ8O1TJ1TR37HmmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Forest Lake Area Schools officials on May 1 presented a recommended redraw of elementary-school attendance boundaries, a multi-month process meant to respond to enrollment shifts, the district's planned move of sixth grade to the middle school and projected housing growth.

Superintendent Dr. Matthew Massey and consultant Dr. Heather Mueller of TeamWorks outlined a process that included a design team, a 50-member input team and multiple map iterations. \"We began with being clear about our why,\" Mueller said, describing goals to preserve neighborhood elementary schools while balancing enrollment and working within current budget constraints.

The recommended plan, labeled 10F2.2 in consultant materials, seeks to balance enrollment across the district's elementary buildings and anticipate growth in areas with active housing starts. Massey said the district used parcel-level data and developer-provided housing-start projections to model three enrollment paths over the next 10 years: steady enrollment, projected housing starts on the books (roughly a 5.7% enrollment increase) and broader developer scenarios (up to about 17%). He said the plan aims to be durable across those projections.

TeamWorks presented an estimated effect: about 23% of current K-5 pupils would be reassigned under the recommendation, with the change timed to take effect for the 2026-27 school year. The recommended boundaries also consolidate language-immersion programs at Forest View to create programmatic continuity and to allow potential program growth as housing drives additional enrollment.

Consultants stressed that the process sought to avoid splitting neighborhoods and that the input team repeatedly asked whether proposed lines created short-term fixes or long-term stability. \"We were able to use that information and [the design team] came back,\" Dr. Mueller said. She and district staff said design and input team members attended multiple meetings, reviewed more than 25 map versions and returned for iterative refinements.

Board members asked about specific schools. Superintendent Massey said Columbus Elementary shows lower capacity utilization in the recommended plan and that the map preserves flexibility to move small boundary slivers if actual development patterns exceed projections. The consultants said transportation routing and costs were included in planning: district transportation staff participated in the design team and guided decisions to avoid adding buses or routes that would breach the district's existing transportation capacity.

Next steps: the district will publish maps and a Q&A on its website after the board meeting and hold public open houses (May 8 and May 12) in the high school media center to allow families to review maps and ask questions. Massey said school principals would later reach out to families directly who would be impacted by any change and that the district expects to finalize any adoption in coming months so families can plan for 2026-27.

Why this matters: changing boundaries reshapes which elementary school children attend, affects transportation and could alter school enrollment and resource allocations for years. Massey said the district sought to make changes now to be positioned for the next decade of enrollment variability tied to new housing projects.","Superintendent and consultants presented a proposed redraw of elementary attendance boundaries tied to reimagining plans, sixth-grade move to middle school and housing growth projections; recommendation affects about 23% of current K-5 students and will take effect in 2026-27 if the board approves.",{"_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},6582024,"Forest Lake school board hears dozens of speakers urging retention of student clubs as policy changes loom",1680,70000,1750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3176605-07726d08795252ed04e9d5546da4efb4&start=70&end=1750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3176605-07726d08795252ed04e9d5546da4efb4/thumbnail_70000.jpg","/articles/6582024/Minnesota/Forest-Lake-school-board-hears-dozens-of-speakers-urging-retention-of-student-clubs-as-policy-changes-loom","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582024-7dbec014b7d99101a610f41cbbe06518/orig.mp4?Expires=1770676582&Signature=azgI8p2H7SLWZPil01fKoZUUE-Wp1ivjVcGUegiz8rMayxazjec36UivPqcMZOPThltZ-JELUZaByyJ31LBhxEE-kp6fftEwCsh5GlwMX0FmI~J7~-Hp1fucCqXTe3skmEAwsU6kQN7HE~-52~czz2tTs7I057eTU-qhcJY9X3JqFNICVOtrHG5lG7uQpzJBmX0p5raU49CX6AjNUUWbxasdpijSk1V4K~fEIOk~ciVx5JfvxI0R4xna27u2yBcdX2WW~Bn27ZfazG2j-URU0qGrg4Z0Spn0bE6BB9TPhc95g5ISwsKrpi8gb6YaVua3kk9d9ER-LqR-HvZ5uSptJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of students, teachers and community members urged the Forest Lake Area Schools board to keep school clubs and staff support as the district moves to adopt new model policies that would replace district policy 507.

Speakers came during the district's allotted public comment period on May 1 and addressed proposed policy updates labeled in district materials as 15-10 and 18-01, model policies from the Minnesota School Boards Association. \"These clubs are critical for this district because they help students feel like they belong,\" said Rob Rayfield, identifying himself as a Scandia resident and former board member. \"Without that feeling that they belong, their academics suffer.\"

The public comments stretched for more than an hour. Member Christensen told the board that the listening session included at least 12 people speaking about changes to student-activities policy; she said a community petition had more than 1,200 signatures. Several speakers described clubs as extensions of the curriculum and urged the board not to create barriers that would make clubs harder to sustain.

\"Any student, regardless of age, GPA, or familial support, can join these clubs,\" said Abigail Legeld, a 2022 graduate, describing Rotary Interact's volunteer work and fundraising. \"By creating barriers or eliminating these clubs instead of proposing solutions, you're inventing problems and harming the students of this district.\"

Middle- and high-school students described clubs as essential social support. \"Clubs help people. They help them feel welcomed, safe, and understood,\" said Kaylee Matheny, who told the board she had struggled before finding club support. Senior students said adviser support made trips and leadership opportunities possible: \"I wouldn't be where I am without them,\" said senior Maddie McCafferty of student-council advisers and club leaders.

Staff and alumni also spoke. Mary Beth Higgins, a counselor at the middle school of 25 years, said the policy committee had been surprised by some of the proposed changes and asked why 18-01 was not separately listed on the agenda. She listed many middle-school groups she said could be affected, including chess club, Kindness Rangers, rotary interact, Black Student Union and a Gay-Straight Alliance.

Susan Young, president of Forest Lake Rotary, warned that replacing policy 507 before adoption of fully fleshed replacements could leave a gap in authority and services. \"If you vote to eliminate that policy tonight without having a full suite of replacement options, there is a danger that you don't have things in place for next year,\" she said. She also said some groups, like Rotary Interact, could not start without adult involvement and cautioned that a requirement that every activity be student-initiated would be a barrier.

Superintendent Dr. Matthew Massey and board members acknowledged the volume of comments. Massey told the board the proposed policies are based on MSBA model language \"and contain necessary language that does not currently exist in policy 507 to assure the district complies with relevant statutes.\" He also said proposed policy 18-01 (limited open-forum groups) was slated for further community review and a separate public discussion on May 15.

Board members said they heard a mix of viewpoints at Tuesday's listening session and green-card comment period. Member Christensen and Member Haglund both asked to see the petition referenced by speakers. The board reminded commenters that the green-card protocol limits remarks to three minutes and that item 18-01 would receive additional public review.

Why this matters: the policy changes would affect how student-led affinity groups, hobby clubs and school-sponsored activities are recognized and supported. Community speakers warned that changes could reduce adviser support, add annual reorganization requirements, or raise barriers to forming new groups. The district says the updates respond to model policy guidance and statutory requirements; board members said they will continue review and community engagement before votes are taken.

Looking ahead: the board's policy committee is scheduled to meet again May 15; administration told the board that 15-10 will be on the May 29 agenda for potential approval, and 18-01 is scheduled for additional community review on May 15.","Dozens of students, teachers and community members urged the Forest Lake Area Schools board to preserve student-run clubs and staff support after the district proposed replacing policy 507 with MSBA model policies 15-10 and 18-01; several speakers cited petitions, student impact and extracurricular outcomes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Scandia Elementary presents JA BizTown and exhibition tie-in as district expansion of career and financial-literacy lessons

Votes at a glance: Forest Lake Area Schools board, May 1, 2025

Forest Lake releases proposed elementary boundary changes after year-long design and public input process

Forest Lake school board hears dozens of speakers urging retention of student clubs as policy changes loom