Forest Lake board approves preliminary levy, joins AMSD and adopts MSBA resolution

Forest Lake Area Schools’ Board of Education on Sept. 18 approved several administrative items, including certification of a preliminary property tax levy for pay 2026, authorization to join the Association of Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD), and submission of a Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) legislative resolution on transportation funding.

The actions matter because they set the district’s near‑term financial posture and legislative priorities: certifying a preliminary levy preserves the district’s ability to finalize tax requests after state data is finalized; joining AMSD gives the district access to a regional advocacy and professional development network; and the MSBA resolution seeks a larger state share of the district’s transportation cross‑subsidy.

The board certified the preliminary levy as the “maximum” amount to preserve flexibility while state reporting is completed. Director Amber Guy explained the preliminary levy process and said key state reporting categories — including long‑term facility maintenance and some lease and debt items — were not yet available in the Department of Education reports, which is why the board certified the maximum rather than a dollar amount. The board then voted to approve item 7.1 by roll call; the clerk recorded the ayes (Member Ann Thomsen, Member Rebelein, Member Tyson, Member Castle, Member Christensen, Member Corcoran) and Member Haglund absent.

The board next approved membership in the Association of Metropolitan School Districts. The motion authorized joining AMSD for the current year and named Member Corcoran as the district’s primary representative and Member Tyson as alternate. Administration said the district will maintain membership in both its current advocacy group (Schools for Fair Funding / SAF) and AMSD this year and then evaluate whether to continue both memberships. The board approved the motion by roll call with the ayes recorded and Member Haglund absent.

On a separate motion the board adopted an MSBA legislative resolution urging the state to increase the percentage of transportation costs covered by state funding from the current level to 70 percent. Dr. Massey told the board that the district currently subsidizes transportation from its general fund and noted prior incremental steps to increase state coverage; he said the 70 percent figure reflects a past statewide task‑force recommendation. The board approved submitting the resolution by roll call; the clerk recorded the ayes and Member Haglund absent.

Other board business: the consent agenda (items 6.1–6.3) was approved by voice vote; the board appointed a three‑member subcommittee (Members Rebelein, Antonson and Christensen) to review options for the district’s strategic plan revision and report back to the full board; and the meeting adjourned.

Votes at a glance • 6.1–6.3 (Consent agenda): Approved (voice vote). Details: not specified in the meeting transcript. • 7.1 Set preliminary property tax levy (pay 2026): Approved by roll call. Clerk recorded ayes by name; Member Haglund absent. • 7.2 Approve AMSD membership and representatives: Approved by roll call; Member Corcoran designated primary representative; Member Tyson designated alternate; Member Haglund absent. • 7.3 Appoint strategic plan subcommittee: Approved by voice; subcommittee members named as Members Rebelein, Antonson and Christensen. • 7.4 Adopt MSBA legislative resolution on transportation funding: Approved by roll call; ayes recorded; Member Haglund absent.

What the board did not decide tonight • The board certified only the preliminary levy maximum; a final levy dollar amount will be set after state data is finalized and at the December truth‑in‑taxation process.

Sources: Board roll calls and motions on Sept. 18, 2024 meeting; presentations by Director Amber Guy and Dr. Massey.