[{"_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",6537146,"mediaKeyId","3635816-cdbd0d57fe05f85de09878059a130f8e","parentId",3635816,"title","Forest Lake highlights expansion of early childhood curriculum and coaching supports","audioSeconds",592,"startMs",2424000,"endMs",3016000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3635816-cdbd0d57fe05f85de09878059a130f8e&start=2424&end=3016","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3635816-cdbd0d57fe05f85de09878059a130f8e/thumbnail_2424000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6537146/Minnesota/Forest-Lake-highlights-expansion-of-early-childhood-curriculum-and-coaching-supports","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537146-93aa80ec3977e547db8a8664b9a62655/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083758&Signature=ncSzOOO7qr6FxHnZmFjXbzJ7EU-tCaC4YvTDLmqPQgIwGu1wBjUf~BZZNOosB74uVqkZ2nIK6PX-VS-uXtAm0MkFczTpi2mwZFnaP70OHh8cHRk62XqaobZ5n0EUnpjrWRa8taY21ingVrdhGB6RUKbf8~4jRHemaM1R1CWS78vN9TnF~kyLXY3Gp1kMfQc8zbIe~jPvE6xJ6WIw3hJvhcqMN-A9GxAYClfBrA1J6bhhZfCIrWKHI4Lk3n32znF9lN6OHFb3W6uvD~~WaT9TCFTaMe4snb0qPayBGEIx6SziH2T1XY2frK4c-ilpC7IsWAvrQLNbmYItmGW-ill1aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Forest Lake Public School District","date","2025-05-30T19:03:00.07Z","article","Forest Lake — District leaders updated the school board Thursday on community education and a multi-pronged expansion of early childhood programming: adoption of the Frog Street early-learning curriculum, classroom engagement model (CEM) implementation, and a newly created early-childhood instructional-coach position.

Presentation highlights
- Frog Street curriculum: The district has adopted Frog Street — a research-based, theme-driven early childhood curriculum — and integrated it with other district standards. Early-childhood staff described structured weekly lesson plans, multisensory activities and play-based learning aligned to Minnesota early learning standards.

- LETRS and early-childhood letters: Staff described teacher training in early literacy (Lexia/LETRS) and efforts to align early-letter instruction with Frog Street classroom activities.

- Classroom Engagement Model (CEM): The district has implemented a CEM framework to increase active student engagement, provide targeted interventions and use a checklist-driven approach for implementation. Staff said a state grant helped hire a CEM facilitator and peer coaches; the grant will end June 30 but the district intends to continue core practices.

- Instructional coach position: Heidi Weiberg was introduced as the district’s new early-childhood instructional coach; she will support teachers through modeling, embedded coaching and alignment of curriculum to literacy practices.

Administration said the early-childhood program has expanded to serve three-year-olds at multiple sites, added nearly full-day programs at some elementary schools and operates the Roadster mobile program. Enrollment for summer programs was reported as stronger than last year; staff highlighted volunteer and peer coaching supports intended to sustain implementation.

Why it matters
Administrators told the board that strong early-childhood foundations matter for long-term reading outcomes and that coordinated coaching and curriculum investment is intended to improve kindergarten readiness and downstream achievement.

What’s next
Administration and the early-childhood team will continue implementation coaching, align Frog Street with LETRS literacy work, and present periodic reports to the board on early-childhood enrollment and outcomes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 29, 2025 - School Board Meeting of Forest Lake Area Schools","oneSentenceSummary","District staff presented updates on the community education and early childhood program, describing adoption of Frog Street curriculum, a classroom engagement model (CEM), and new instructional coaching to support early literacy and development.","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},6537151,"Forest Lake board adopts 2025–26 budget and ratifies multiple labor contracts",338,9672000,10010000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3635816-cdbd0d57fe05f85de09878059a130f8e&start=9672&end=10010","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3635816-cdbd0d57fe05f85de09878059a130f8e/thumbnail_9672000.jpg","/articles/6537151/Minnesota/Forest-Lake-board-adopts-202526-budget-and-ratifies-multiple-labor-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537151-8db9ec56ef05c9061f9d2abbbfad54fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083758&Signature=hgioN6FI-CXYOOTjbz8lD2SrgP4704WB5U1gYb33YzWrFbGqRx~iApEpEPeExVUngDFWB38p-DJqY8KxyvjpqxXdxxGN7unH2YbP7IQcOYRq1iZaq5bj13BLrQLfxFfv8sb-Sb0LE3y3HV2IGuZ79nlB85LIFDLNNa41NRv~4ygrg5gEdIeo2Q2Rd4rkcCsnVUiIC-dHYdAqTmG71kkLHBDBSTwema76AUsxM8c15OD~6PinJGo98SYngsSgHaXKVQN9S4T~bfToMkaDV5dLvr2BXeiT66m4CdRTZ6xzSXc4eUDKI0yxVn-PdI5I9oSIlbOCJJk6aX9TcU8cvdU3tA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Forest Lake — The Forest Lake Area School Board approved the district’s fiscal 2025–26 budget Thursday and ratified several labor contracts and routine business items, including donations and retirements.

2025–26 budget
The board adopted the 2025–26 general fund budget after a presentation from Director of Finance. Administration reported an estimated $1.5 million increase in revenue (enrollment, special education and levy adjustments) and a roughly $2 million increase in expenditures driven by salary, benefits and facility maintenance. The board approved the budget on a roll-call vote.

Labor agreements and compensation
The board ratified multiple agreements negotiated with district employee groups, including:
- Nutrition services agreement (2024–26): increases included dependent-coverage adjustments, Juneteenth as a holiday for 12-month employees, a change to floating holiday rules and multi-year wage increases consistent with board parameters; the board approved the ratified contract.
- Forest Lake Association of Educational Professionals (paraprofessionals; 2024–26): agreement included dependent-coverage increases, compensation adjustments and a provision to include paraprofessionals in select district professional-development sessions; the board approved the ratified contract.
- Mechanics agreement (2024–26): the contract ratified stipend and certification payments plus wage increases consistent with other agreements; the board approved the ratified contract.

Other actions
- Donations: The board accepted $17,174.18 in cash and goods from booster clubs, PTOs and community donors to support athletics, field trips and music programs.
- Retirements: The board accepted a retirement notice for a transportation bus driver and thanked the employee for service.
- Construction and facility planning: The board authorized the district’s long-term facilities-maintenance revenue plans individually and for the Intermediate District 916 cooperative; construction bond sale proceeds remain in the capital fund for planned projects.

Why it matters
Adoption of the budget and ratification of contracts set the district’s staffing and compensation framework for the next school year and free administration to implement program-level staffing and capital projects. The contracts include multi-year wage increases aligned to board parameters and reflect negotiated changes in benefits and stipends for represented groups.

What’s next
Administration will post the adopted budget and file required forms. Contracts will be implemented for the 2025–26 fiscal year; the district will continue to track state legislative activity and adjust forecasts as needed.","The board approved the district’s 2025–26 budget, ratified labor agreements with nutrition services, paraprofessionals and mechanics, and accepted donations and retirements in a package of consent and action items.",{"_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},6537155,"Forest Lake approves elementary attendance boundary changes; 523 students affected under plan",1125,5047000,6172000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3635816-cdbd0d57fe05f85de09878059a130f8e&start=5047&end=6172","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3635816-cdbd0d57fe05f85de09878059a130f8e/thumbnail_5047000.jpg","/articles/6537155/Minnesota/Forest-Lake-approves-elementary-attendance-boundary-changes-523-students-affected-under-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537155-1171533ffc7d81ada3654dcb92dfd05d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083758&Signature=Dp~NciY0G3TRamXeTF-FWou~TYC8RFMXmFSq~jNjzOsh9haLAT38s9B7Ly4VyWs8zTq6K2C8GgLsZPXfhbgMY1fb-aLOln9CEtUXRHOHg9-QKsdLbg4EMBQi~~cq468Swa~qIgXb3HyQQEl7QgJ-ob5zqTcGeTQL7UEamBdphrwqAK55RXw-YMv6bP69O9FrQ1gSoxOwBd~OOKSRLL1P417uRwKMpgmDfLDp5hHFpCF2bPvAE3lacaQerZFaDlA1yaKeU5Qp~7ZtcX9GXUQn1Erq4eAsquA8kXoHmyIIrtAVgfyp~oTLw1Ku5dfBuaDOIo1sMYKwezVbJ1RwcSGyCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Forest Lake — The Forest Lake Area School Board voted Thursday to approve proposed elementary attendance boundary changes designed to rebalance enrollment across neighborhood elementary schools and to accommodate projected housing growth.

The board approved the plan after Superintendent Dr. Joseph Massey reviewed the multi-step community process, TeamWorks data modeling and several iterations of boundary maps. The plan will take effect in the 2026–27 school year and, under the recommended map, about 523 students — roughly 23% of the district’s elementary population — would be reassigned to different neighborhood schools when the changes are implemented.

Key points
- Consolidation and reassignments: Forest Lake Elementary will close and students will consolidate with Forest View beginning in the 2026–27 school year. Forest View’s attendance area is projected to grow faster than other schools; the plan preserves the district’s ability to repurpose Forest Lake Elementary as a future relief site or for other programming if housing growth continues.

- Language immersion: All language-immersion programming will move from Land O’Lakes Elementary to Forest View. That change aims to concentrate immersion resources and provide consistent classroom offerings.

- Rationale and data: Administration said the plan responds to a 10-year projection showing stabilizing enrollment overall but with pockets of growth tied to local development. The district and consultant TeamWorks modeled 10 base scenarios with multiple iterations and selected a plan labeled 10 f 2.2 after community design-team and 50-member community-taskforce review.

Board discussion and public input
Superintendent Massey described an extensive process that included a cross-district design team, community input meetings and multiple published maps. The administration reported two small open-house meetings with a handful of families; members said low turnout reflected the district’s many prior communications and transparency throughout the process.

Board members and meeting attendees discussed the choice to consolidate at Forest Lake rather than Forest View; administration said Forest View’s larger physical footprint and more flexible infrastructure made the consolidation more feasible.

Vote and implementation
The motion to approve the boundary plan (agenda item 8.3) carried on roll call; members present voted in favor. Administration will implement the new boundaries for fall of the 2026–27 school year and offered transitional supports for affected families. Intradistrict transfers and currently enrolled out-of-district students were listed as remaining in their current school for planning purposes.

What’s next
Administration will publish maps and a checklist for impacted families, and will support school- and family-level transitions. The board said it would continue to monitor enrollment and may reopen Forest Lake Elementary as a relief option if future development increases enrollment beyond projections.","The district approved boundary adjustments to address projected enrollment shifts and to consolidate Forest Lake Elementary with Forest View; language moves Spanish immersion to Forest View and assigns about 523 elementary students to new schools in the 2026–27 school year.",{"_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},6537160,"Forest Lake board adopts new student-activities policy, keeps explicit ban on Confederate and KKK symbols",5733,666000,6399000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3635816-cdbd0d57fe05f85de09878059a130f8e&start=666&end=6399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3635816-cdbd0d57fe05f85de09878059a130f8e/thumbnail_666000.jpg","/articles/6537160/Minnesota/Forest-Lake-board-adopts-new-student-activities-policy-keeps-explicit-ban-on-Confederate-and-KKK-symbols","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537160-1f597fa4cec26db5a7033ff9be57b1da/orig.mp4?Expires=1771083758&Signature=KBeov0Zl0hlsPv5~Mi3rGeBOEbWwjpLfZki4P-xfSTsF-npw~gpI6xsilExEyRWivR2w~hjYM8k~ei4fcQ9XcPbpz~TEXLwOUDGeL3Qvi4oRE6Cj2JmePWEJN~hb6gFPz9gpMwulVBSVAd~AAerj9UsnuGyZwlQBEyfHyjhiq9CMHasKic9ysEMHqCf-k2LgDU1nQqtMLugyLAvQlnWdqqPOJ68jkaIP0s8hQlMfwUGvnuQe3MQ5mMBq5MHpVufrCVhXk7dAEUp7~BkiK2VR7XJaGIhsdATaBmsr0aJLCU7Eo1HCPCiYuVZoku~kL79pD3l6lF-8jzGK2HGoK0t3SA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Forest Lake — The Forest Lake Area School Board voted Thursday to adopt a new student-activities policy it calls Policy 1510, preserving district sponsorship and funding for a long list of school clubs and activities, and to rescind the older umbrella policy numbered 507.

The board’s action follows more than two hours of public comment, much of it from students, parents and educators urging the district to preserve student clubs and to explicitly ban symbols associated with hate in the school discipline policy. The board held a first reading of a separate equal-access policy for limited open-forum groups (Policy 18.01) and scheduled final action on that policy for its June 26 meeting.

Why it matters: The policies define which student groups the district formally sponsors (with paid advisers, use of school facilities and promotion) and which operate under limited open-forum rules protected by federal law. The decisions affect middle- and high-school clubs, whether they can have school-paid advisers or district promotion, and how the district handles controversial insignia.

Board action and context
- Policy 1510 (Student activities — school-sponsored groups): The board approved the proposed Policy 1510, and at the same time the board accepted a list of currently sponsored groups to be grandfathered into the new policy for the 2025–26 school year. The list read into the record included athletics, curricular extensions (band, theater, FFA, DECA, HOSA, Knowledge Bowl and others), student government, and school operations teams. The board approved Policy 1510 with voice vote; the motion carried.

- Policy 507 (Student activities; earlier umbrella policy): The board voted to discontinue Policy 507 effective July 1, 2025; the motion to rescind carried.

- Policy 18.01 (Equal access / limited open forum): The board heard a first reading of the MSBA-derived draft for limited open-forum groups and will consider action June 26. Administration and legal counsel framed the policy as intended to implement the federal Equal Access Act; the draft also clarifies that groups organized as limited open forum must be student led and that the district must treat such groups neutrally.

Public comments and thread of debate
Public commenters — students, teachers, parents and community members — urged the board to retain middle-school and high-school clubs and to name specific hate symbols as prohibited in the discipline policy. Speakers said clubs (including affinity, interest and community-oriented groups) provide safe spaces essential to students’ engagement and learning.

Claire Lugar, a community organizer, told the board she had helped gather petitions and said, “When our students speak up ... the school board should listen.”

Tim Newcomb, a district teacher, urged the board to explicitly prohibit “symbols that are inherently threatening,” naming the Confederate flag, swastika and KKK insignia as examples that courts have allowed schools to ban when they cause material disruption.

Marybeth Higgins, a 25-year district employee, thanked the board for retaining language in the discipline policy that specifically names those symbols, saying, “By naming those symbols directly, you’ve shown a commitment to creating schools where every student feels safe.”

Administrators and legal framing
Superintendent Dr. Massey and district counsel said the draft policies were developed with input from the Minnesota School Boards Association model language and local counsel. Dr. Massey explained that School Discipline Policy 515 was presented so it would continue to explicitly prohibit the Confederate flag, swastika and KKK imagery (item 2.c.7 in the draft), rather than relying only on a general “material disruption” standard in the MSBA model.

What the board said
Board members discussed how sponsored clubs differ from limited open-forum groups: sponsored clubs can receive district funding, use the district logo, and have paid advisers; limited open-forum groups are student-organized, must be supervised by a nonparticipating adult, and cannot receive preferential promotion or funding. Several members stressed the need to preserve curricular and extracurricular opportunities for students while ensuring legal compliance with federal equal-access rules.

What’s next
Policy 1510 takes effect July 1 and the board asked administration to present Policy 18.01 (equal access / limited open forum) for action at the June 26 meeting. If approved, 18.01 will formalize how student-led, non-sponsored groups may form and meet at school during noninstructional time. The district’s discipline policy will be kept with specific prohibitions for the named hate symbols, according to the draft presented.","After hours of public comment supporting school clubs, the Forest Lake Area School Board approved a new student-activities policy (Policy 1510) and rescinded the older umbrella policy (Policy 507). The board also held a first reading on an equal-access policy for limited open-forum groups and postponed final action until June 26.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Forest Lake highlights expansion of early childhood curriculum and coaching supports

Forest Lake board adopts 2025–26 budget and ratifies multiple labor contracts

Forest Lake approves elementary attendance boundary changes; 523 students affected under plan

Forest Lake board adopts new student-activities policy, keeps explicit ban on Confederate and KKK symbols