Northern Lights Academy seeks state funds; Cloquet told a 1:1 local match could cost about $1–$2 a month per household
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Summary
District leaders described a request to the legislature for up to $6.5 million to build or buy a single Northern Lights Academy facility and said member districts would be asked to match funds dollar‑for‑dollar; Cloquet's share was estimated at about $14/year on a $200,000 home if the full request is approved.
Superintendent Doctor Carey briefed the board on Nov. 24 about Northern Lights Academy (NLA), the cooperative special‑education program serving students across 12 member districts. Carey said the NLA board is seeking up to $6.5 million in state funding to build or secure a single facility so the program can operate under one roof instead of split among leased and shared spaces.
Carey said state legislators who would provide funds are asking member districts for a matching local commitment — a proposed 1:1 match. He said the proposed local cost would be apportioned by each district’s share of students in the cooperative, and gave an example showing the local impact: if Cloquet were assessed its proportional share under a full $6.5 million award, the cost to a homeowner of a $200,000 house would be roughly $14 a year (about $1.10 a month).
Board members asked whether participation would be mandatory and how non‑participation would affect the remaining districts’ shares. Carey said the NLA board’s position is that non‑participating districts would likely be removed from the cooperative and either must provide services locally — which would require hiring staff or paying higher costs for out‑of‑district placements such as programs in Duluth — or pay a larger share if they joined later.
Carey said Carlton County has offered a parcel of land near county facilities as a potential build site, and the NLA facility committee is also evaluating existing buildings. No formal board action was requested at the Nov. 24 meeting; trustees were given a preview and told a formal resolution of support could come at a January meeting so local boards could signal willingness to match state funds if awarded.
If the board receives a formal resolution request, trustees will weigh the projected local tax impact, district budget constraints and alternative options for providing high‑need special‑education services.