Forest Lake board renews expiring operating levy after heated public comment

Forest Lake Public School District trustees voted to renew an expiring operating referendum Tuesday, approving a resolution that preserves roughly $6,000,000 a year in district operating revenue and keeps the current per-pupil levy rate unchanged.

The move, made under Minnesota Statute 126C.17, subdivision 9(b), was preceded by an extended public testimony period in which dozens of residents — including parents, former board members and retired staff — urged both sides: many speakers pressed the board to approve the renewal to avoid cuts, while others asked that the decision be put to voters and called the timing rushed.

The renewal will extend the existing eight-year referendum at the same per-pupil amount and become effective per the statute’s timelines. Superintendent Dr. Eric Massey explained the law and the statutory window that permits a board to renew an expiring referendum without a public vote if the renewal matches the expiring amount and term. The superintendent said the current levy rate is $986.67 per pupil and that the levy generates approximately $6,000,000 annually for general operations; the levy is set to expire at the end of the 2027 school year.

Public testi…