Superintendent Michael Carey told the Cloquet ISD 94 School Board on Oct. 13 that district leaders are continuing work to align Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) across buildings, and provided updates on facilities planning for Northern Lakes Academy and several district capital projects.

Carey said administrators are trying to "create a seamless system" across elementary schools and K'12 to use resources more consistently and improve outcomes. He said the district may propose changes to some internal committee structures as the work progresses.

Carey provided an update on Northern Lakes Academy (NLA), which the superintendent said opened as a K'8 program and for years operated split across a district site and leased space at a local church before most classroom operations moved to Carlton High School. "We really don't have the money and the tax base we would need to build a facility independently," Carey said, describing current discussions by the NLA facility subcommittee and ongoing lobbying for possible legislative bonding to cover roughly half of a new facility's cost.

Carey said NLA leadership briefed a legislative tour recently to explain the program's needs and that Cloquet's board representatives to that cooperative (Lianne; Carey fills in when she cannot attend) are coordinating district input. He said the district is not "near being in a position to build" and that it will present detailed options to the board before any decision moves forward.

The board also discussed uncertainty about an athletics cooperative involving Carlton and Wrenshall. Board member Dave Italia and Carey noted that the activities committee is monitoring Carlton's consolidation timeline and whether students who tuition to Wrenshall or Carlton would remain eligible for the district's cooperative sports. Carey said staff had reached out to the State High School League for rules and timing guidance.

Maintenance and capital projects were covered by Brock Wilton, director of facilities and grounds. Wilton said roofing work is ongoing and that contractors are "pretty confident, weather dependent, that they're gonna be done this year." He described a plumbing project planned for Washington Elementary with design services under review and said district crews may need one or two extra days adjacent to winter break for some work. Wilton also said the district is considering installing a gate by the tennis courts after vehicles drove onto the lawn and caused damage, and that the project would be evaluated against the current budget.

On project timing and budget effects, Wilton said the district likely saved about $3,400 by adjusting the roofing schedule. Carey and Wilton said change orders have been minimal and the overall budget position "doesn't look too bad." Carey thanked staff and contractors for completing work during his absence.

Board members asked several procedural questions during the update, including when the committee should address the Carlton-Wrenshall athletics question and whether additional research or legal guidance would be needed before any change to co-op agreements.

The board set the December meeting to begin at 5:15 p.m. so the Madrigals can perform before the Truth-in-Taxation hearing, which will begin at 6 p.m., Carey said. The district will provide a fuller review of Northern Lakes Academy facility options to the board when timing and funding details are better defined.

The board's packet also included an enrollment snapshot showing small net changes from the previous year and a notable decline in the "early fives" cohort; the superintendent said the district saw roughly 12 students in early fives this year versus about 19 at the same time last year, and that middle-school enrollment is lower because a small COVID-era kindergarten cohort has progressed through the grades.