Lake of the Woods trustees certify preliminary levy, approve referendum outreach and several routine actions

The Lake of the Woods School District board certified a preliminary tax levy and approved a slate of operational and referendum-related measures at its Sept. 23 meeting.

Superintendent Jeff Nelson told trustees the district would submit a preliminary levy certification for up to $1.9 million and move forward with referendum communications, including a mailer expected to arrive in district households this week and a postcard planned for early October. "It's right around between 1,200 and 1,300 households in our school district," Nelson said when discussing distribution scope and outreach plans.

Nelson told the board staff would pursue multiple outreach channels'presentations to county and city boards, newspaper pieces, a social media campaign and in-person forums timed around school events to help voters understand a lengthy capital-project ballot question. He also said the district received a positive review and comment from the Minnesota Department of Education on a submitted $5 million project package but noted the board had removed some large items, including proposed football turf and track repairs, from the ballot question.

On motions carried by voice vote, trustees also:

- Appointed Jerem Haack to fill the vacant District 6 seat under Resolution 2024-225-18. The board read the resolution noting that "Jerem Haack meets qualifications to serve" and that the appointment is effective until an election is held to fill the vacancy; the oath of office is scheduled for the Oct. 28 meeting.

- Approved a memorandum of understanding with Northwest Community Action that governs invoicing for adult meals and snack milk served through Head Start, allowing the district to recoup adult meal charges tied to the program.

- Increased the student milk price from $0.35 to $0.40 to reduce food-service losses.

- Approved routine business: the Aug. 26 meeting minutes, invoices, financial statements and several personnel appointments including parapro hires and pay adjustments discussed in the board packet.

Board members emphasized that some vendor and outreach agreements are contingent on referendum success. Trustees approved a three-year school management services contract with a 60-day termination clause and an engagement proposal that staff said would become null if the referendum does not pass.

Board member Sard moved approvals and board member Lion seconded several motions; routine approvals were carried by voice vote. The meeting packet also noted that Brady Marts will perform the district's audit remotely Sept. 30'Oct. 1 with on-site review in late October.

The board ended the meeting at 7:16 p.m.