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 busing at the secondary level so students can attend tutoring and clubs, continued elementary family liaisons and translation supports, literacy and STEM coaching, a fifth-grade leadership program and a junior achievement BizTown simulation, plus summer and after-school programs. He described ANI funds as "additive," saying they pay for positions and services beyond existing staffing rather than reallocating current resources.

Public comment before the vote included conflicting views. Parent Claire Lubra urged the board to delay changes and seek broader input, warning that the proposal "could cost the district $800,000." Several speakers, including teachers and community members, supported the amendments and praised the plan's emphasis on direct academic supports and barriers such as transportation. One board member said the amended plan represented "the best one I've ever seen" in focusing on removing the nonacademic barriers that can keep students from accessing programs.

Board members who spoke in favor cited two practical constraints: the statutory submission deadline to MDE and a desire to preserve ANI funding for district services. Several members urged the administration and community to identify alternate funding sources for affinity and cultural groups that were removed from ANI funding in the amendment; board members repeatedly said affinity groups themselves would continue even if funded through other means.

The motion approved by the board passed on a roll call vote. The clerk recorded seven ayes: Member Tyson, Member Revilline, Member Corcoran, Member Haglund, Member Anne Johnson, Member Castle and Member Christensen. The amendment takes effect July 1, 2025, and, if approved by MDE, will replace the board's April 2023 plan for the 2025'26 plan year.

District staff said they will continue to monitor implementation and report back to the board; Jacobson said administrators will use district data systems to track student progress and fidelity of interventions. Board members emphasized the 12-month window to observe effects and the need for continued community engagement on funding and program details.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Approve the proposed amended Achievement and Integration plan for the 2025'26 plan year; effective 07/01/2025, rescind prior April 2023 plan for 2025'26. Mover/second: not specified on the record. Outcome: approved (7-0). Ayes recorded: Member Tyson; Member Revilline; Member Corcoran; Member Haglund; Member Anne Johnson; Member Castle; Member Christensen.

What the plan pays for (high level)

- Interventionists and staff to strengthen MTSS systems across elementary and secondary schools - Expanded after-school activity buses at the secondary level to enable tutoring, clubs and academic supports - Family liaisons and translation services to help recently arrived or low-income families engage with schools - Literacy and STEM coaching, continued fifth-grade leadership programming, junior achievement/BizTown simulation, and targeted summer programs

What was debated

- Timing and community input: Some parents argued the board provided too little time for public review; board members pointed to statutory filing deadlines and the risk of losing ANI funding if the district missed the March submission. - Funding for affinity and cultural groups: The amendment removed funding for affinity-group stipends and placed them back into general-fund consideration; multiple speakers and several board members said they would work to find alternative funding for those programs. - Data targets and scope: Staff said the revised metrics center on measurable gap reduction for students qualifying for educational benefits, with continued attention to access to rigorous courses at the high school level.

Next steps

Administration will submit the amended plan to the Minnesota Department of Education and begin planning implementation for July 1, 2025. Staff said they will return with staffing recommendations April 3 and a draft budget in June that incorporates ANI-funded positions and supports.

Sources: Forest Lake Area Schools board meeting, March 13, 2025; presentation by JP Jacobson and Superintendent Steve Massey; public comment from Claire Lubra and others.