Despite summer vacation being in full swing, Big Lake School Board had an eventful meeting recently, as they discussed the social media hot-topic of masks, congratulated Angie Charboneau-Folch on being named Minnesota’s assistant principal of the year, accepted the resignation of Lori Kampa, called for a special election both to replace Kampa and to ask the taxpayers for a bond referendum for campus maintenance, and heard from several concerned parents about Critical Race Theory in the schools. 

Masks and COVID-19

Supt. Tim Truebenbach reviewed a letter that was sent out to families just before the board meeting. The letter was in response to concerns on social media that the school would require students to wear masks again this year. 

The letter let families know that masks, as of this time, would not be required for students except for while on busses, though they will be encouraged for those students and employees who are not yet vaccinated. The decision will be left up to families to decide what is best for their students.

On a related note, Truebenbach stated that hybrid learning will not be an option for students this year, but Big Lake Online is available for anyone who wishes to enroll.

COVID-19 cases will continue to be reported to the Minnesota Departments of Health and Education, but otherwise the board is waiting to hear guidance regarding other COVID-19 policy.

“We look forward to welcoming students back to a NORMAL school year,” Truebenbach said happily.

Assistant Principal of the Year

Big Lake Schools’ Assistant Principal Angie Charboneau-Folch was named Minnesota’s Assistant Principal of the year. She was named one of the finalists a few months ago, and just recently she was announced the winner of the state competition. She will now be eligible to compete at the national level, against other assistant principals who won the same honor for their respective states or territories.

The school board took a moment out of their meeting to congratulate Charboneau-Folch. A couple of speakers praised the assistant principal’s character and achievements, and a clip of Rep. Tom Emmer noting the accomplishment on the House floor.

Charboneau-Folch thanked the board for the time and the kind words, and thanked the community and her wife for all the support. 

“Although my name is on this plaque,” she said, “it represents all of us.”

Lori Kampa Resigns from School Board

Board member Lori Kampa announced her resignation from the school board. 

In her resignation, Kampa writes,”It is with mixed feelings that I need to inform you that my husband and I have sold our home and are planning to move to South Carolina by the end of summer. This was not our immediate plan when I filed and ran for my school board position. But the market and other opportunities have opened the way for us to do this now instead of in a few years.”

Kampa thanked the board and the community for the opportunity to serve. 

The board called for a special election to fill Kampa’s seat. The election will be held November 2.

Supt. Tim Truebenbach encouraged anyone interested in the position should reach out to him for more information about duties associated and how to become a canditdate.

Referendum

The board also called for a special election for a referendum for school grounds maintenance items. The referendum and the election of a new board member will appear on the same ballot in November. There will be no tax increase due to replacing old debt. According to the survey sent out, most of the items needing maintenance that would be covered by the referendum were supported by the community.

Open Forum

Ashley Schabilion spoke during open forum asking that the board not approve discipline policy 506, which was on the agenda for that night’s meeting. The policy included the language stating the school may take disciplinary action against students who commit, “An act occurring off school grounds that disrupts, interferes, or otherwise affects the environment, activities, operation, students or employees of the school is prohibited.”

Schabilion’s concern was that the vague language of the policy was problematic.

“It’s not unreasonable to foresee a situation in which an employee of the district feels off-campus acts of dissenting opinion are prohibited,” she claimed. She went on to present a well-prepared argument, quoting court cases and logical conclusions.

Kasey Devine spoke next, regarding Supt. Tim Truebenbach’s statements about Critical Race Theory (CRT) at the previous meeting. Truebenbach stated that CRT is not taught in Big Lake Schools as is not developmentally appropriate. Devine noted that many groups believe it is appropriate, and the issue continues to be pushed. Devine claimed the cultural competency training group Love and Struggle was in fact teaching these values, and there was a group of teachers trying to introduce this curriculum to the schools.

“Cultural competency training is mandatory,” Devine stated, “but the existence of a dedicated committee promoting identitarianism, racial division, and whiteness doctrine is not mandatory.”

Devine further asked the board to adopt a policy blocking these sorts of curriculum from entering the schools.

Teanna King was the final speaker, also speaking about CRT. She stated that the program needlessly divided children by race. She noted that the first amendment protects freedom of speech, but also protects against compelled speech.

“Training, exercises, or assignments that force students or employees to admit, accept, affirm, or support controversial concepts… constitute compelled speech,” King stated.

She also spoke briefly about the dangers of requiring masks for students before she ran out of time. King promised to attend the August board meeting to fully voice her opinions to the board.

In Other Business,the Board:

• Eliminated “walking zones” for the elementary schools due to earlier start times (students would end up walking in the dark for two months of the year, potentially creating unsafe conditions.);

• Reminded citizens they were able to provide feedback on ESSER III funding by visiting the school’s website;

• Reviewed campus main tenance items not covered by the referendum;

• Reinstated a Youth Service Program, offering volunteering and educational opportunities to students, as a part of community education;

• Renewed MSHSL membership;

• Approved annually reviewed school policy.