With graduation in their sites, the Big Lake School Board spent much of its time reviewing this current year and looking forward to the next.
Referendum
The Board approved to hold a referendum in the upcoming November election to ask voters to consider three ballot questions to invest in technology, education programming, operations, and a new multi-purpose facility. The three questions are as follows.
Question one would renew the district’s existing technology levy for a 10-year term. This extension would raise approximately $930,816 each year to support the district’s 1:1 device program, software updates, digital curriculum, and the costs of technology personnel and related training. There would be no additional cost to taxpayers.
Question two would increase the district’s general education revenue by $400 per pupil for a 10-year term. This funding would support essential district operations, including classroom materials, small class sizes, facility operations, salaries and other educational expenses. If approved by voters, the operating levy would be supported by a tax increase on properties in the district. The tax impact for a $400,000 home would be $15 per month.
Question three would invest $29 million to build a new multi-purpose facility, which would include new space for special education, physical education, activities, and community education and events. The facility would serve as a collaborative space for both school and community use. If approved by voters, there would be no additional cost to taxpayers due to the expiration of existing debt. Approval of Question three will be contingent on the approval of question two.
Robots
The Big Lake Robotics Team showed off their competition robot and shared with the board the results of recent competitions. During the Lake Superior Regional, Big Lake was ranked 17 out of 55 and in the Granite City Regional 15 out of 54. The team said that those results are a big improvement over past competition rankings.
Finances
Angie Manuel, Director of Business Services, presented the financial report to the Board and had some good news to share. Attendance was up by 11 students over the previous month. Much of that increase was online. Revenues increased due to an increase in Special Education funding and enrollment growth. Those increased revenues helped offset the cost of adding an additional teacher for the school year. Also, due to the warmer weather, the cost of utilities and transportation both went down.
Mental Health
Sheri Tesch, Program Manager for School Linked Behavioral Health, reminded the Board of the six-year partnership with Central Minnesota Mental Health Center, the company that provides mental health services for Big Lake Schools. A partnership that has had positive results.
“We have a lot of kids who experience a lot of trauma. I think that’s showing up,” Tesch explained. “The really cool thing is your district invested in early intervention. So, what we know is that when we can catch it earlier and get the skills that they can rely on, we can have greater success.”
She believes that the Minnesota program can be a model for the nation.
Awards
Superintendent Tim Truebenbach concluded the meeting by acknowledging Shallyn Tordeur, Assistant Principle for Big Lake High School. Tordeur was named Assistant Principle of the Year for Central Minnesota Association for Secondary School Principles.
