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Forest Lake board OKs $339,220 serving-line contract and raises substitute pay
Summary
At a regular meeting, the Forest Lake Area Schools board approved a $339,220.81 contract for a high-school serving line and raised daily and hourly substitute rates to address shortages, with the board asking administration to monitor impacts.
The Forest Lake Area Schools Board of Education voted to award a contract for new high-school cafeteria serving lines and approved increases to substitute pay, saying the steps aim to improve food service options and ease chronic substitute shortages.
Administration recommended awarding the serving-line contract to Collinix, which submitted the lowest compliant bid of $339,220.81, and said installation is planned for December, weather and customization permitting. "The new lines will provide for greater flexibility, efficiency, and food options for kids, including regular salad bar, burger line for kids," Superintendent Dr. Massey said while presenting the recommendation.
The board also approved a change to the district's substitute teacher policy (policy 4.17), increasing the daily rate from $150 to $170 to make Forest Lake more competitive with neighboring districts. Dr. Massey said higher substitute pay is intended to reduce the frequency that classroom teachers must cover other classes, which increases costs and reduces teacher prep time.
Separately, the board approved rate adjustments for short-term classified substitutes (policy 4.34). Most classified substitute rates were raised by $1 per hour — for example, the general classified sub rate moved from $14 to $15 per hour — and the health office LPN substitute rate moved from $19 to $20 per hour. Administration said these increases are incremental and that it will monitor whether the changes improve applicant pools.
Board members asked administration to report back if substitute shortages persist. One member asked for a midyear update and for administration to compare the new rates with neighboring districts and with entry-level full-time staff to avoid creating pay inversion between substitutes and permanent employees.
Votes at a glance - Award serving-line contract to Collinix for $339,220.81 — approved (voice vote; ayes recorded). (Action: approve contract) - Substitute teacher daily rate increased from $150 to $170 — approved (voice vote; ayes recorded). (Action: policy 4.17 rate change) - Classified substitute rates increased (general subs $14→$15/hr; LPN $19→$20/hr; other listed positions +$1/hr) — approved (roll call; Member Christensen abstained). (Action: policy 4.34 rate change)
Administration noted contingency scheduling windows (winter break and spring break) for serving-line installation and said the spring window is a fallback if customization timelines slip. The board emphasized monitoring and directed administration to return with data on substitute fills and on whether the pay changes materially expand the applicant pool.
The board approved the items after limited discussion and moved them into effect to ensure changes would apply at the start of the school year.
Ending The board tied the two decisions — capital procurement for improved meal service and compensation changes for substitutes — to operational goals for the coming school year: faster meal service and fewer instances of teachers covering classes without pay for the district's financial benefit. Administration will provide follow-up on timeline and staffing impacts as requested by board members.
