Chisago Lakes board adopts revised budget, approves labor contract and school calendar; appoints election judges

The Chisago Lakes School District Board on Tuesday approved a revised district budget, ratified a negotiated contract with Local 284 and adopted the district's 2027'1028 school calendar, actions the board said respond to updated enrollment, rising costs and contract settlements.

The board also accepted donations and appointed election judges for a special May 13 election. Director of Business Services Robin (last name not specified) told the board that enrollment is "stable" and that the revised budget reflects more accurate estimates for revenue and expenses since the preliminary budget was adopted.

"For the first time, I can say our enrollment is stable," Robin said during the budget presentation. She said the food-service fund will use fund balance to replace equipment, including ovens, and that community education revenues and expenditures were trending toward balance.

The revised budget shows an increase in food-service revenue of about $100,000 and an expense increase of roughly $277,000 driven largely by salaries, benefits and higher food and milk costs. The district projected an unassigned general fund balance of about $3.1 million after the revisions.

Corey, who spoke for the negotiators involved in the Local 284 talks, summarized the contract package and called the process "a positive experience." He gave the total package percentage as 10.86 percent and described a 4 percent salary increase in year one and 2 percent in year two, changes to insurance timing and steps removed at the low end of the salary schedule to raise starting pay.

Board members voted by voice or roll call on the items. A roll-call portion of the meeting recorded "aye" votes from board members during the appointment of election judges. Other votes recorded in the meeting were voice approvals. The board also accepted donations including $5,000 scholarship gifts and a $750 gift to the online alliance club.

Votes at a glance

- Approve agenda: motion passed (voice vote). - Consent agenda (claims/accounts, personnel, contracts, past meeting minutes): approved (voice vote). - Accept donations (several gifts including two $5,000 donations and a $750 donation): approved (roll call recorded as yes votes by those present; transcript records affirmative responses). - Accept revised budget: approved (voice vote). - Approve 2027'1028 school calendar: approved (voice vote). - Establish election-judge pay and appoint election judges for the May special election: approved (roll call recorded: Sarah '0aye'1, Josh '0aye'1, Brenda '0aye'1, Jen '0aye'1, Joe '0aye'1, Laurie '0aye'1). - Accept Local 284 contract (2024'26): approved (voice vote). - Accept preschool staff inclusion into the certificated contract (legislatively required change noted): approved (voice vote).

What the board said and asked

Robin emphasized the district was revising estimates used in the preliminary budget, saying the revised figures reflect updated state and federal aid, actual enrollment and contract settlements. She told members the district is intentionally spending down food-service fund balance to replace failing kitchen equipment and to buy cafeteria tables.

Corey described the Local 284 agreement as collaborative and said the district will manage a roughly $65,000 budget increase tied to the contract this year.

Board members raised questions about food-service fund balance limits and possible future legislative changes that could permit more flexible uses of those funds. A board member noted mechanical-contractor payments approaching $400,000 since 2022 and said passage of a facilities referendum would allow the district to redirect some maintenance spending.

Procedural notes

Several votes in the meeting were taken by voice; where the roll call was used the transcript records the affirmative roll-call responses. The transcript indicates some roll-call comments by name during the donations vote (Derek, John, Jen, Jeff, Laurie) and a later roll call when appointing election judges (Sarah, Josh, Brenda, Jen, Joe, Laurie). The transcript did not provide a formal named mover and seconder for every motion; where names were not spoken the meeting recorded motions, seconds and voice votes.

The board's official minutes should be consulted for the formal vote counts and certified roll-call records.

Ending

Board members said they would share legislative and committee meeting materials with the board and the public. The board adjourned after new business and the start of a discussion about school board listening sessions.