Big Lake School Board approves easement for city sidewalk behind Liberty campus

The Big Lake Public School District School Board added to its agenda and approved a city-requested easement that will allow a sidewalk to run behind the district water treatment center toward the Liberty outdoor classroom.

Board Chair led the request that the easement be added to the meeting agenda; Board member Shpillion made the motion and Board member Hancock seconded it, and the board voted to add the item. District staff displayed a map and described the proposed location and purpose of the easement, which the city says is funded by a grant and would provide pedestrian access behind the water treatment center to Liberty.

Board members raised safety and security concerns during discussion, including whether the new sidewalk would make the playground area more inviting to passersby during school hours and whether existing gates and signs would be sufficient. District staff said a gate exists farther up the back driveway and that additional signage and snow removal could be used to limit unintended access during school hours. The board discussed placing signs at the new pavement and at the gate and ensuring snow removal for the new path.

After discussing the security measures and related conditions, the board moved to approve the easement request and the measure passed. No further conditions or amendments to the easement were recorded in the meeting transcript.

The superintendent’s office and district facilities staff will coordinate with the city on next steps and implementation details.