Forest Lake reports rising enrollment, finishing gym air conditioning and outlines audit and levy timetable; curriculum committee reviews state assessments

Forest Lake Area Schools administrators reported multiple operational updates at the board meeting, including rising enrollment, completed building work at the high school gym, upcoming renovation plans at Wyoming Elementary, final audit scheduling and levy dates, and a committee briefing on state assessments.

Enrollment and staffing: Superintendent Dr. Steve Massey said enrollment as of Oct. 1 “is sitting at a 122 kids above our budgeted number,” reversing a multi‑year decline and reducing near-term enrollment-related budget risk. He said the district has seen students return from charter and neighboring districts and noted that boundary changes enacted in spring will require targeted family communications about where students will attend next year.

Facilities and maintenance: Director Renberg Bridal reported that phase two of work at the high school is complete and that the main gym now has air conditioning as a backup for outdoor graduation in case of rain. The Education Center is undergoing a flush-and-fill procedure for its boiler system; Wyoming Elementary is planned for HVAC work, bathroom updates, and painting next summer. Board members welcomed the gym completion as a safety and comfort improvement for students and families.

Finance, audit and taxes: The auditors were on site Oct. 6–8, and the district delivered its final trial balance to auditors that afternoon in preparation for the November finance committee meeting when auditors will present findings. The board set a truth-in-taxation hearing for Dec. 9 at 6 p.m., with final levy certification scheduled later that evening; the board intends to present the completed audit at the Dec. 4 meeting.

Communications: Director McKinnon said the communications committee reviewed a crisis-communications checklist and the district’s crisis manual and described a team-based messaging approach that draws administration and communications staff together for accurate, timely public messaging. The district annual report has been printed and will be mailed to households soon, McKinnon said.

Curriculum and assessments: Director Jacobson and Dr. Brad Ward (secondary curriculum coordinator) briefed the Curriculum, Instruction and Equity Committee on the district’s assessment plan and sample MCA (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments) items. Jacobson explained the district reviewed sample MCA Series 3 items in reading and math and Series 4 in science, noting the science Series 4 is adaptive and asks students to input data and draw conclusions. Committee members discussed that statewide testing is computer-based except for students with specific IEP accommodations, and some committee members noted research and experience suggesting students sometimes perform differently on paper versus computer assessments.

Policy: Director Friedman reported policy committee work on renumbering, mandatory reporting for maltreatment of vulnerable adults, and a continuing review of student attire sections of the discipline policy. The committee plans a recommendation on one part of policy 5.15 and will continue to discuss the more substantive student‑attire matters.