The October Big Lake School Board meeting was short and sweet, with the most notable business being the approval of the Becker/Big Lake Hockey Team.  

The board approved the Becker/Big Lake Hockey Cooperation for two years, meaning the Becker/Big Lake Hockey Team is approved to function for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years. While the co-op has existed for some time, this is the first time it has been officially approved by the school board in this capacity. 

Financial Report

There was an increase of 23 students enrolled in the district, with the increase seen mainly in middle school, high school, and Big Lake Online. The increase puts the school above their budget for the year in average daily memberships, meaning they will receive more funding from the state than what they budgeted.  

There was a significant increase in unemployment costs last summer, which Business Director Angie Manuel attributed to many staff members not understanding how to file in summer of 2023, and more figuring out how to do so this previous summer.  

Manuel and her team were doing prep work for the paid family leave (which will go into effect in January of 2026). Manuel noticed that, as the program is currently written, school board members will not be able to collect on this policy. In order to become eligible, the school board would have to pass a resolution stating board members can collect family leave money. Manuel said the cost to the district to do so would be less than $100. Manuel said she would bring a written resolution to the November school board meeting. 

Manuel also discussed possibly changing the school’s investment policy so money could be invested in different ways. This issue will also come back at the November board meeting.