Forest Lake board approves amended Achievement and Integration plan focusing aid on students qualifying for educational benefits

The Forest Lake Area Schools Board of Education voted 7-0 on March 13 to approve amendments to the district's Achievement and Integration plan that narrow the plan's primary gap-reduction focus to students who qualify for educational benefits (free and reduced-price lunch). The board made the vote after hours of public comment and a presentation from district staff.

Board Chair Riverline told the room that the amendment could not be postponed: "Per Minnesota state statute, achievement and integration plans are required to be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education no later than March." Superintendent Steve Massey and Director JP Jacobson presented the amended plan and its program components before the vote.

The nut of the amendment is a more targeted set of goals. Dr. Massey said, "The plan now focuses on closing achievement gaps specifically for students to qualify for educational benefits or free and and reduced price lunch." District staff said the revised plan keeps the district's broader commitment to all students but concentrates added ANI resources on reducing measurable academic disparities between students who qualify for benefits and those who do not.

Jacobson, director of teaching and learning, outlined the major activities the amended plan would fund: additional intervention staff to strengthen multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), expanded after-school activity…