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The Chisago Lakes School Board organized for the year 2026 in a special meeting January 5 lasting about 40 minutes.  Board pay was unrevised for 2026, and the officials remain the same:  Lori Berg is chair, Jeff Lindeman is vice chair.

The Board heard the district is up by about 10 pupils from fall head counts—as the three elementary schools all gained three students a piece.  Enrollment is at 3,207.

The School Board enthusiastically  approved permission to  begin to sign up students for a trip to Italy,  March 5 to 13, 2027.  

The school board members saw the proposed itinerary, approved fundraising to commence and authorized an agreement with “Grand Tours” to handle arrangements.  Choir instructor Mrs. Undem presented the request as the trip is directed toward students participating in band and choir.  There are performances being planned for the group while overseas to provide musical educational opportunities.  Undem said it depends on availability of venues and that sort of thing, so actual concert dates and foreign locations are still being finalized.

Students may do fundraisers like mattress sales, chocolate sales, earn a special wage paid to bag groceries at Cub Foods, sell Kwik Trip car wash cards and/or various other fundraisers to help defray trip costs.  Be aware the students may be selling items for this trip. Direct donations are also welcomed.  

The Italy trip price is not yet fixed, but the Board was told it is estimated at approximately $4,495 per pupil.

Voting info

Readers are reminded of upcoming public meetings on the bond vote the district is holding  Feb 10.

There is an info session January 23 at 7 a.m. for coffee and to learn from the superintendent about the projects that need to be done. This is at the Wildcat Center next to the high school.

Jan 24, at 8 a.m. a session is scheduled at the middle school on Highway 8.  Meet at the media center.

A meeting is set for January 28 as part of the soup with the superintendent series, held at noon, also at the Wildcat Center.  These normally run to 1:30 p.m.  Register ahead on the website so there is soup for all.

And January 29 at 6 p.m. information will be shared at the high school media center. Enter in the front door on Olinda Trail. 

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