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The school board met for a short meeting on Thursday, April 16 and tackled a few major tasks.

Chisago City administrator John Pechman was on hand to ask for a tax abatement agreement with the school district for a Kendall Howard expansion project that is located right next to the Lakeside School and district offices. Pechman said the abatement would be for no longer than 10 years and no more than $700,000. Kendall Howard would be adding a 226,000 square foot facility and adding 150 new employees.

“They are a very significant employer in our county and what we are asking is the board for a tax abatement. I understand [foregoing $700,000 of property tax revenue] is a lot of money, but part of that is going towards the reconstruction of Karmel Avenue and Liberty Lane,” Pechman explained. “As you are aware, there are school traffic issues on those roads and they are in really bad shape. This would allow us to capture that money and put it toward the improvements of those roads, which is a large benefit to the district.” 

Pechman added that as part of the agreement, the school would not be assessed for the road improvements in the future. “I’m trying to create a win-win-win as best we can with the city, county and the school district.”

Board chair Lori Berg sees even more benefits than just road improvements. “Beyond the assessment for road work, we are potentially gaining 150 new families into our district and a certain number of them will have school age children and that’s a benefit for the district.”

With a roll call, the board unanimously agreed to the tax abatement.

The board authorized nearly $5 million in general obligation facilities maintenance bond money to finance deferred capital maintenance projects, including roofing projects at the high school, middle school and Primary School

Director of Business Services Robyn Vosberg-Torgerson said the bonds will eventually be paid off through Long-term facilities maintenance state aid, but it is tax payer money that will pay it off. The bond sale is a new authority school boards were given to take care of dire maintenance projects.

In new business, the district approved the calendar for the 2028-29 school year, as well as a lawn care contract with J&H Outdoor Services.

In other district news that was announced after the meeting was already over, Chisago Lakes High School Principal Tammy Yackley has made the decision to retire at the end of the year. The district currently has the position posted and according to Dietz, the hope is to bring a candidate in front of the board for approval in June.

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