Forest Lake board urges state to comply with Title IX after federal finding; approves girls wrestling commitment

The Forest Lake Area Schools board on Oct. 2 voted to send a letter urging the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) to accept a federal resolution agreement after an Office for Civil Rights (OCR) determination addressing Title IX compliance.

Board Chair Rafael presented a draft letter that said the district “strongly supports immediate compliance with Title IX following a federal determination” and urged the state agencies to accept the federal resolution to protect female athletes’ rights and federal funding. The letter named recipients including MDE Commissioner Willie Jett, the MSHSL board president and executive director, and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, and it requested overnight delivery to meet the state’s response window.

Member Christiansen objected to the timing and said the board had not seen the draft in advance. She asked that the district attorney review the letter before it was sent. Other board members said the letter was time‑sensitive; a vote to adopt and send the letter carried after a roll call in which some members voted against the action and others voted in favor. The motion passed and the chair and clerk were authorized to sign and send the letter; the board asked administration to provide confirmation of delivery.

Separately, the board considered an “emerging status school commitment form” for a girls team dual wrestling season under the Minnesota State High School League. Dr. Steve Massey said the form expresses district interest in participating if MSHSL sponsors girls wrestling. The board approved that commitment on a voice vote.

Discussion at the meeting included legal and procedural concerns: several members urged legal review and raised process questions about adding the letter to the agenda at short notice. The transcript indicates the OCR document is 61 pages and that the state has a 10‑day response period. The board’s motion to send the letter noted federal enforcement could jeopardize federal funding to schools if state compliance is not achieved.

Actions recorded in the meeting transcript • Motion to adopt and send the Chair’s Title IX compliance letter to MDE, MSHSL leadership and the Minnesota Attorney General — Outcome: approved (recorded roll call; several members voted no; chair announced “The ayes have it”). • Motion to approve the district’s commitment form for Minnesota State High School League girls team dual wrestling — Outcome: approved (voice vote).