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 testimony focused on two themes. Speakers supporting renewal said holding another referendum would be costly in dollars and volunteer time, risk steep program and staff cuts if the measure failed, and would create budget instability. Former board members and longtime volunteers described past rounds of cuts and said renewal would give the incoming board steadier footing to focus on curriculum and planning rather than repeated campaigns.

Opponents and callers for a public vote raised concerns about transparency and timing. Several residents said the community did not have adequate time or notice to digest the implications and asked that the board delay the decision until new board members were seated or until the district had more time to present detailed, comparative projections. One speaker argued the board lacked authority to renew without voter approval and said legal action could follow; others called for more explicit projections about whether the renewed amount will be sufficient for the full term.

Board discussion reflected those divisions. Several trustees said the renewal was the fiscally responsible choice to preserve staff and programs and to avoid the repeated cycle of levies and campaign expenses. Other trustees expressed reservations about the timing, the degree of public outreach before final action and the need for additional financial analysis and community engagement. A motion to table the decision until May failed; the board then proceeded to a final roll-call vote and adopted the resolution renewing the expiring referendum.

Votes at a glance - Resolution authorizing renewal of an expiring referendum revenue authority (Levy renewal): Approved (board roll-call; tally recorded by the board). The renewal matches the expiring eight-year term and per-pupil amount; administration said the statute requires adoption by June 15 and that copies be submitted to the commissioner and county auditor by Sept. 1.

Other formal actions taken Tuesday (summarized) - Transportation employee drug, alcohol and cannabis testing policy (policy 313): Approved by roll-call vote. - Drug-free workplace / medical cannabis policy (policy 435): Approved by roll-call vote; policy includes language addressing employee participation in a patient registry. - Graduation requirements (policy 613): Approved; administration recommended removing identification of middle-school credits from the high-school graduation policy text. - Donations: The board accepted gifts and in-kind donations totaling $15,235.95 listed in the consent agenda. - Retirement: The board accepted the retirement notice of Clayton Benson, custodian, effective 12/31.

What the vote means Board supporters framed the renewal as a way to preserve current staffing levels and programs that they said would otherwise face cuts totaling roughly $6,000,000. Critics warned that acting now, before newly elected board members take office and without a broader community engagement campaign, harms transparency and public trust. The statute used by the board permits renewal within a specified window and requires public testimony prior to adoption; the superintendent read that statutory language aloud before the vote.

The board indicated that future adjustments — including seeking additional voter-approved funding — would remain options for subsequent boards if district needs change.

Sources: Public testimony and board discussion at the January 2, 2025 Forest Lake Public School District board meeting; Superintendent Eric Massey’s statutory summary of Minnesota Statute 126C.17, subdivision 9(b).