The Big Lake School Board met on Wed., Nov. 19, following a disappointing night at the polls on Nov. 4.  

During that meeting, Director of Business Services Angie Manuel presented the board with updated budget numbers.  Enrollment continues to lag and expenditure numbers were presented that accounted for those lower numbers.  Adjustments were made to staffing, transportation, curriculum subscriptions, and community service programming.  However, expenditures continued to increase due in part to the timing of some capital projects. 

There was some positive news: General Fund revenue was up slightly, due in part to an increase in investment revenue; however, those gains were offset by a decrease in general education aid.  

Following Manuel’s presentation, Superintendent Tim Truebenbach requested that staff identify how much of the added expenditures were the result of unfunded mandates from the State and Federal Governments. Manuel identified three areas of policy that have recently changed - unemployment, Special Ed., and Family Medical Leave, and agreed to look into other areas and report back at a future board meeting.

Supt. New Contract

There was no debate by the school board as they unanimously approved a new 3-year contract for Tim Truebenbach, which begins on July 1, 2026, and runs through June 30, 2029.  Truebenbach later thanked the board for their support. 

Supt. Report

Truebenbach took a moment during his Supt. Report to recognize the 2025 Educational Support Staff recipients from Big Lake:  Emily Schlegel, Indy, Jess Lumley, Comm. Ed, Renae Rotz, HS, Jodi Smith, Liberty, and Carrie Telega, Liberty.  

The annual award honors non-licensed support staff who serve as positive role models and consistently go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of those in the Big Lake school community.

Donations

The board accepted several donations from the community.  These included donations from the Big Lake Lions, who donated $1035.15 in gift cards to provide Thanksgiving meals to struggling families.  

Other notable contributions were given by Big Lake Spud Fest, which designated $1500 to the Girls Soccer Program, the Big Lake Baseball Association, $2802.35 for 4-Plex and Liberty field maintenance work, $2560 from the Big Lake Hornet Booster Club, $400 from Metal Craft, and $70 from Mac’s Minis.