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Forest Lake board approves $1.5M 'right‑sizing' package and six teaching reductions
Summary
The Forest Lake Public School District board approved a $1.5 million budget right‑sizing package to prepare for declining enrollment, offset partly by $750,000 in ESSER grant funds and $250,000 in special‑education revenue; the remainder will be met with six teaching position reductions. The measure passed by unanimous roll‑call vote.
The Forest Lake Public School District board voted April 2 to adopt a $1.5 million budget 'right‑sizing' plan for 2026–27 that combines one‑time grant and interest offsets with staffing reductions.
Superintendent Dr. Massey said the district is budgeting conservatively in a declining‑enrollment environment, assuming a loss of about 75 students for planning purposes, and must reconcile rising expenses with revenue growth that does not cover all cost increases. "That right‑sizing figure is at the tune of $1.5 million," he said.
Administration outlined the offsets: $750,000 from an ESSER grant that currently funds academic‑support personnel, $250,000 projected additional special‑education revenue tied to formula changes, and roughly $100,000 from interest income on long‑term facility maintenance funds. That left approximately $400,000 to be addressed through staffing changes; the district recommended eliminating six teaching positions to balance the budget while preserving class‑size commitments.
Board members pressed for detail on impacts and supports; Dr. Massey said the reductions come after boundary and program adjustments (the Reimagined 2025 process, including the earlier elimination of one elementary), and that the district has worked to maintain kindergarten‑through‑grade‑2 class‑size guarantees. The administration displayed projected class‑size averages and staffing plans for elementaries, middle school (including the recent move of sixth grade) and the high school; middle‑school counselors and student supports were discussed as priorities.
The motion to adopt the proposal was moved and seconded and carried on a roll‑call vote with all six board members recorded as voting yes.
Separately, the board approved an administration recommendation to non‑renew a list of probationary teachers based on staffing needs and performance criteria; that resolution also passed on a roll‑call vote.
What to watch: the board asked administration to continue reporting enrollment changes, staffing impacts and any programmatic consequences so the community can monitor how the right‑sizing decisions affect class sizes and student support services.
