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As the Chisago Lakes School Board was anticipating the levy and bond questions coming up Tuesday, November 7, they had a light  regular school board meeting on Thursday, October 26.

In one final piece to settle before election day, election judge pay was set, at $16 per hour and head judges to receive $18 per hour. The district needs to finance this as it’s a special election that was automatically triggered by the open school board seat with more than two years remaining on the term.

The board also approved an agreement with ICS Consulting to continue their relationship if the bond measures are successful.

ICS did not charge the district in 2022 for any of the efforts associated with the failed bond referendum. In the agreement, ICS proposed to defer discussion of costs incurred during the current  bond effort — which they  estimate at between $15-25,000 until after the vote. ICS would continue to serve in their role during the pre-referendum efforts and implement the projects upon potential successful passage of the bond.

Board member Josh Soderlund did ask how long the district has been working with ICS, and it was discussed that it had been over 10 years. He then asked if the district had gone out for bids  at any point to other consultants. He didn’t say he was unhappy with ICS, he was just inquiring.

Board chair Lori Berg said the district had gone out for proposals, and had changed firms at times, especially if something was not being done properly, which she said hasn’t been the case with ICS. 

Board member Jeff Lindeman also praised ICS, as he’s worked closely with them on a few of the projects around the district over the last 10 years, namely the greenhouse at the high school.

“I had some very specific things that needed to be in the greenhouse, and I walked in one day and there were humongous heaters that were five times bigger than what we needed and I said, ‘Over my dead body will those go in here,’ and there was really no discussion,” Lindeman explained. “The heaters were brought back and we got the right ones in there and there was no battle. I thought I’d have to put my blood, sweat and tears in to getting these big things returned. We made the changes and it was a seamless thing, and it was taken care of quickly and a done deal.”

In other business:

• The board accepted a $1,000 donation towards the activities office from the Chisago Lakes Grill.

• The board renewed the district’s agreement with the Chisago Lakes Hockey Arena with the season fast approaching.

• Approved the middle school student’s 2024 trip to New York City and Philadelphia that is organized by teacher Andrea McKinnon. The tour has been going for over 25 years and the students are able to experience Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, Roosevelt Island, Staten Island, the State of Liberty and a Broadway show in New York. When in Philadelphia, the students visit Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Pavilion and tour the Betsy Ross House.

The students need to pay for their own trip, and it takes place during the shortened MEA week next year.

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