Big Lake board approves middle-school fee increase, new ELA adoption, SEL program and transportation contract

At its regular meeting, the Big Lake Public School District board voted to raise the middle‑school activity fee for the 2025–26 school year, adopt new English language arts materials for middle school, approve a social‑emotional learning curriculum for K–12, and ratify a multi‑year transportation contract.

The board approved a one‑year increase in the middle‑school participation fee from $99 to $125 for the 2025–26 school year after a staff presentation and board discussion about budget parity with neighboring districts and protections for low‑income families. Activities director Mark Quiesley said the district compared fee levels with other Mississippi 8 schools and found Big Lake “way behind” and proposed a phased catch‑up. Quiesley and other administrators told the board the district will track participation and the use of fee waivers and reductions and report back next spring on whether the change affected low‑income students’ participation.

Board members discussed communications and access: they asked staff to add reduced/waiver information to the online registration page and to alert families when the increase is posted so households that qualify for free or reduced fees can apply. Quiesley said the district already applies existing free/reduced eligibility during registration and that staff will provide a historic breakdown of participation by free/reduced status to the board next year.

On curriculum, the board approved adoption of Amplify ELA for grades 6–8. District staff and the middle‑school ELA adoption committee told the board the choice aligns with the district’s K–5 CKLA materials and the new Minnesota ELA standards. Curriculum staff described Amplify as a content‑specific, cumulative program with digital and pencil‑and‑paper options and built‑in differentiation. The board also approved a buyback/upgrade plan for CKLA to the third edition and extended the district’s planned cycle so elementary materials align with the middle‑school adoption. District staff presented a six‑year pricing quote for the CKLA/Amplify purchase and said the total package and associated teacher materials would be financed through the district’s curriculum budget; staff noted additional annual student workbook purchases were expected when fully implemented.

The board adopted Character Strong for Tier 1 (universal classroom lessons) and Tier 2 (small‑group interventions) as the district’s SEL curriculum for the coming years. Pilot teachers and social‑work staff described classroom and small‑group experiences in which students learned routines (connect/grow/respond/exit) and teachers used weekly books, videos and brief lessons tied to PBIS and classroom advisory schedules. Staff presented a multi‑year quote for the program and said county funds would be used to offset part of the cost.

On operations, the board approved a new four‑year transportation contract with Vision (with an option to renew for an additional four years). Staff said the contract includes a year‑one market adjustment and that subsequent annual increases will be tied to the transportation CPI with a 4% floor and an 8.5% ceiling. District negotiators noted the contract aims to address driver recruitment and retention by increasing driver wages and stabilizing service.

The board also heard the monthly financial report and approved several budget revisions related to capital and hail/roofing claim work; finance staff said the revisions did not change the district’s unassigned fund balance and that some funds are being moved from this fiscal year into next year for projects that will finish after June 30.

Q‑Comp peer coaches and program staff gave a year‑end report on the district’s Q‑Comp teacher‑development plan, describing peer coaches’ classroom support, PLC facilitation, cognitive coaching training and mentorship work. Staff flagged that Q‑Comp funding is uncertain at the state level but said the program remains a central piece of teacher support, professional learning communities and the district’s performance pay/alternate‑salary structure.

Votes at a glance

- Approve agenda — approved (moved/seconded on the record). - Approve consent agenda (minutes, claims and accounts of $1,468,713.64, personnel report, final policy readings) — approved. - Approve donations — approved. - Approve middle‑school activity fee increase (from $99 to $125 for 2025–26) — approved (motion made by board member Shavillion; second by board member Nelson). Staff will report back next spring with participation and waiver data. - Approve financial report and budget revisions (including grant and hail claim adjustments) — approved. - Approve four‑year transportation contract with Vision (option to renew) — approved (motion made by board member Sixberry; second by board member Hancock). Contract includes a year‑one market adjustment and CPI‑based increases (4% floor, 8.5% ceiling). - Adopt Amplify ELA for grades 6–8 — approved (motion made by a board member; second by Nelson). - Approve CKLA third‑edition buyback/extension to a six‑year cycle (elementary materials) — approved (motion made on staff recommendation; second recorded). District presented a six‑year quote covering teacher materials and student workbooks, and noted some additional yearly student workbook purchases. - Adopt Character Strong Tier 1 and Tier 2 (SEL) for K–12 — approved (motion made and seconded on the record).

What the board directed staff to do

- Add information about fee waivers/reductions to the online activity registration and include a notification to families announcing the increase and detailing supports. - Track and report participation by free/reduced status and usage of waived or reduced fees, and provide historic comparisons for fall/winter/spring participation next spring. - Proceed with ELA and CKLA purchases as presented and sequence shipments and budget commitments into the FY25–26 budget cycle as discussed.

Where things stand

- The fee change applies to middle‑school activities for 2025–26; board members expressed interest in measuring impacts before approving any further increases. - Curriculum adoptions are timed to match statewide implementation of updated Minnesota ELA standards next fall; staff said materials will be available in both digital and print formats and include teacher guides and assessments. - The SEL adoption includes both universal classroom lessons and small‑group Tier‑2 interventions; staff said pilots in three buildings showed increased use of the program language by students and teachers. - Q‑Comp remains in place at the district level, but staff noted state funding for Q‑Comp is uncertain beyond the current authorization year.

Meeting context and balance

The discussion on fees and curriculum drew the most sustained board and staff attention. Board members repeatedly emphasized access and equity when discussing the fee increase: they asked for added communication to families and for clear data showing whether the fee change reduced participation among low‑income students. Multiple staff and pilot teachers described classroom materials and district supports, and peer coaches outlined how Q‑Comp funds teacher leaders and PLCs across buildings.

Ending note

Board members thanked staff and the many teachers who piloted curriculum and SEL materials and who supported the program presentations. Several board members praised peer coaches and curriculum leaders for the implementation work that will accompany the newly adopted materials.