Moose Lake School Board adopts FY27 preliminary budget, strategic plan and forms robotics cooperative

Acting Chair Julie Peterson presided as the Moose Lake School Board on June 22 adopted multiple fiscal and program decisions, including the FY27 Preliminary Budget and the FY28 Long-Term Facilities Maintenance (LTFM) Ten-Year Plan, approved a new district strategic plan and several personnel and contract items, and authorized a robotics cooperative with neighboring districts.

Superintendent Eric Butche told the board recent state legislative changes produced a limited one-time adjustment to compensatory funding that will reduce district revenue by about $142,000. Butche also summarized several state actions reported to affect schools statewide, including a passed measure on employer pension contributions for retirees who return to work and a proposal to increase Permanent School Fund distributions (a constitutional amendment to appear on the November ballot) that would raise the per-pupil distribution from roughly $68 to about $95 if approved.

Business Manager Norman Nelis presented the budget details used by the board in adopting the FY27 preliminary plan. Nelis reported average daily membership (ADM) of 573, a 2.69% adjustment on the state formula for general education aid, an identified reduction in compensatory revenue, and line-item changes including a planned $80,000 bus purchase (part of an every-other-year replacement schedule), modest increases in purchased services and supplies, and higher general liability and workers-compensation insurance. The proposed budget showed a $47,218 surplus before removing a $13,000 Fund 18 (scholarship) surplus, leaving a net projected surplus of about $34,000.

The board voted on a slate of action items by roll call. Motions and outcomes listed by the board record are: a Specific Services Contract with ARCC (motion passed), adoption of the Moose Lake Community School Strategic Plan 2026–2031 (passed), adoption of the FY27 Preliminary Budget (passed), adoption of the FY28 LTFM Ten-Year Plan (passed), designation of Superintendent Eric Butche as the Identified Official with Authority to authorize user access to the State of Minnesota Education secured website for 2026–27 (passed), approval of the 2026–2027 contract for a Family School Support Worker (passed), and approval of a resolution to form a robotics cooperative with Barnum and Willow River (passed).

Board members recorded as voting yes were Brenda Heikkila, Julie Peterson, Lisa Anderson-Reed and Paul Olson; Ben Anderson and Jim Gerdes were absent. The consent agenda earlier in the meeting included approval of May meeting minutes, payroll (total payroll amounts reported in the minutes), bill lists (totaling $156,865.20), and hires for housekeeping and instructional/coaching positions.

In facilities discussion the board noted ongoing door upgrades and said it is exploring camera and door-access upgrades ahead of potential Minnesota Department of Education cybersecurity and school safety grants. The LTFM plan was updated to include planned track resurfacing within the next several fiscal years.

The board also recognized student achievements in track and field and announced Lund Family Scholarship recipients and students advancing to the History Day national competition. The meeting concluded with scheduling of future regular meetings for July 27 and August 17 and adjournment at 5:24 p.m.

The meeting record includes the customary notation that one or more members participated remotely under Minnesota Statutes; at the end of the minutes the district cited Minnesota Statutes, Section 13D.02 regarding remote participation.