During the September meeting, the Big Lake School Board discussed the district’s goals for the year. 

The schools set goals every year, which are presented in September and reviewed throughout the year.

Goals used to be guided by “World’s Best Workforce” but will now be guided by a similar program known as Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness (CACR). This includes goals such as: all children are ready for school; all racial and economic achievement gaps between students are closed; all students are ready for career and college; all students graduate from high school; and all students are prepared for life-long learning.

There are also building-wide goals for each school. More information on these goals is available online at BigLakeschools.org/about/school-board (under Agendas/Minutes tab).

Open Forum

Carla Johnson, a teacher at Independence Elementary STEM School spoke regarding the upcoming school levy vote. On Election Day, voters will have the opportunity to vote on a levy for the schools. Johnson wished to communicate how a positive vote will impart her classroom, and the other classrooms in the school. If the levy passes, there will be more support for technology in the classroom and personnel to manage that technology. She asked that voters vote yes on the levy this year.

Trisha Johnson spoke next, introducing herself as the parent of two young students in the district. She said that her family makes a habit to ask their students’ teachers if they have a “classroom wishlist,” including supplies for the classroom to which the teacher normally would not have access. This year, Johnson was told accepting gifts for a wish list was against school policy. She went looking for the specific policy but was unable to find one. She asked for clarification, and was told to contact the superintendent via email.

MSHSL Update

MSHSL (Minnesota State High School League) is introducing a constitutional change to their organization up for vote in October. With a positive vote, they will become a ninth through twelfth grade organization, instead of the current tenth through twelfth grade organization.

This change was made because most schools in the league start high school at ninth grade rather than tenth, and now ninth grade students will be eligible under the league’s concussion and personal injury insurance. Before, it would be on the schools to pay for additional coverage.

In order for the vote to pass, 75% of member schools will need to vote and, of those voting, two thirds will need to vote positively.

Finance Report

Enrollment for day one of classes was 3,111. The enrollment determines the funding the school receives from the state, so budgets are determined based on the number of attending students. The year started with 17 more students than budgeted, which is a strong start according to Business Manager Angie Manuel.

The board also reviewed the preliminary levy for the 2025-26 school year. The levy is down slightly from the current year. This is not the final levy, but it is set at the maximum amount, so the final levy cannot go over the preliminary levy, though it may possibly decrease. The final levy will be approved at the truth in taxation meeting on December ??

Tax Legislation

Last year, the superintendent testified before the Minnesota legislature to change policy to protect the schools’ tax-exempt status for building materials. Currently, if the school were to directly purchase lumber, as an example, they would not have to pay taxes on that purchase. However, usually the school hires a contractor to do work and the contractor purchases the lumber, and therefore paying for the sales tax. If the school tries to get reimbursement from the state for the sales tax they (indirectly) paid, it is a very tedious and challenging process.

The board submitted a proposed resolution to the state legislature. 

Student Rep. Report

Alexis Gosewisch is the new student representative for the new school year.

She noted the new phone policy has been working well, where students can check their phones during lunch and between classes only. Teachers have reported higher engagement during class time.

Homecoming was last weekend. There were dress up days, a pep rally, and a dance after the game.

Supt.’s Report

Superintendent Tim Truebenbach gave his monthly report.

The new fitness center is now open. Memberships are available to the general public as well as to students. So far, the fitness center has not been well utilized, but staff hopes this will change soon.

Truebenbach wished to add a “Process of the Month” section to his report. Members of the public have been asking how certain processes within the district work. This month, he had Minda Anderson, vice superintendent, discuss how threatening language from students is handled. Staff has been trained by child psychologists to deal with threats. A threat assessment is done immediately to determine whether the threat is real or not. If not, parents are contacted and staff works with the student on their behavior. If it’s credible, staff works to determine the severity and address it in an appropriate manner.

In Other Business, the Board:

• Heard committee updates;

• Received certificates for each member’s service on the board for school board recognition month.