# October 1, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Forest Lake Area Schools

Forest Lake Area Schools Board meeting, October 1, 2026: The board heard that the district’s bus-driver contract expired on Labor Day and that negotiations are expected, amid a shortage that has reduced the driver workforce from about 100 to 70. Drivers and board members raised turnover, medical leaves, and salary and benefits as concerns; no contract award or spending action was reported. Scandia Elementary reported a new accessible playground costing approximately $317,000, funded and built through PTO and community fundraising and volunteer work rather than a board-approved district purchase. The board also heard about a Homecoming with a Purpose campaign seeking $10,000 for community-use space at the Education Center.

The superintendent presented information on a proposed Minnesota constitutional amendment to increase distributions from the Permanent School Fund. The presentation estimated Forest Lake would have received about $187,500 more than its approximately $387,000 distribution in FY 2024–25 under the proposed formula; the board took no action on the ballot measure. The board also considered a policy change concerning board-member stipends and held a roll-call vote, but the transcript does not clearly establish the result. Several other policies were presented for first reading, with no action required. No district procurement award, RFP, or purchasing approval was identified.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Education, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Grants & Funding, Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** October 01, 2026

### Sources
- [October 1, 2026 - School Board Meeting of Forest Lake Area Schools](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOYIgSP9yS0) - FL Boardroom