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Forest Lake board approves personal finance, AP finance and four construction CTE courses
Summary
The Forest Lake board approved a required personal finance elective, an AP business-with-personal-finance alternative, and four construction-focused CTE courses developed with Local 49 that offer dual-credit opportunities with North Hennepin.
The Forest Lake Public School District Board approved several new high-school courses, including a personal finance elective required by state law, an AP-level business course that includes personal finance, and four career-technical education (CTE) courses in construction developed in partnership with Local 49.
Director Jacobson said state legislation requires districts to ensure students receive personal finance instruction and presented a course aligned with that requirement. Jacobson described the personal finance course as designed to "provide students with the foundational skills to make informed financial decisions," and told the board the district will offer the class to juniors and seniors initially to preserve earlier grade options.
The board also approved an "AP Business with Personal Finance" course that Jacobson described as more rigorous and as an alternative pathway. "At the conclusion of this course, students can earn college credit and a business credential through the College Board," Jacobson said.
Separately the board approved four construction-focused courses (Basic Construction Fundamentals; Basic Construction Math; Basic Maintenance of Mobile Equipment; Exploring Construction Careers) that the district developed in partnership with Local 49. Jacobson said students who complete all four courses with a B or better could earn up to 15 dual-credit hours at North Hennepin Community College and access field experiences and potential union connections. The board discussed sequencing (recommended sequential order), opportunities for hands-on experiences through industry partners, and the district’s plan not to purchase heavy equipment but to partner with employers and unions for student experiences.
Board members said the new offerings expand options for students and can improve engagement and graduation prospects. The courses were approved on a combined motion for items 7.6–7.9 and by individual votes on the personal finance and AP proposals.
Next steps include finalizing course sequencing, dual-credit agreements and registration details for the next school-year guide.
