Forest Lake board approves $1.25 million rightsizing plan; administration lists probationary staff terminations

The Forest Lake Area Schools board on April 3 approved a package of budget adjustments and staffing changes aimed at reducing district operating costs by roughly $1.25 million in response to projected enrollment declines.

Superintendent Dr. Aaron Massey told the board the district is planning conservatively for an anticipated decline of about 100 students next year, which he estimated would reduce revenue by approximately $1.25 million. His recommended package included $500,000 in savings from the consolidation of Forest Lake Elementary and Forest View, the elimination of four high-school assistant coaching positions (estimated savings $24,050), a technology specialist reduction ($30,000), savings from moving the Canvas learning-management workload to Google Classroom (about $28,500), elimination of a GradeGuardian subscription ($12,400) and an $80,000 transfer of certain costs to the food-service fund. The administration said the remaining $325,000 would be achieved through a combination of five full-time-equivalent teaching reductions and other adjustments.

Board discussion noted the emotional impact of staff reductions and the district’s efforts to limit layoffs where possible. Members stressed that some reductions may be achieved through attrition and that specific assignments and building-level impacts would depend on enrollment and licensure details. Dr. Massey said some cuts will be tied to position availability and that administration will continue to manage staffing as enrollment and retirements evolve.

Following debate, the board approved the rightsizing package by roll-call vote with the following recorded as voting “aye”: Member Tyson, Member Rebelein, Member Corcoran, Member Haglund, Member Anne Thompson, Member Castle and Member Christensen. Member Clark took the roll call.

The board also adopted a separate resolution to terminate or not renew a list of probationary teachers identified by administration. Dr. Massey described the list as driven by position availability, evaluation and licensure issues; the board approved the resolution by roll-call vote with the same recorded ayes and no recorded nays.

Administrators told the board they will attempt to use attrition where feasible, coordinate with building leaders to minimize class-size impacts, and that any rehiring needs that emerge over the summer because of enrollment increases would be addressed in subsequent staffing decisions.