Jennifer Babiash

This document outlines a $326 million bond referendum proposed for White Bear Lake Area Schools to address a projected student population growth of approximately 2,000 students over the next decade. The comprehensive plan focuses on investing in facilities for improved safety and security, consolidating the split-campus high school into a single building, and designing flexible classrooms to support student-centered instruction. It also includes enhancements for community education programs and the Senior Center. The plan, developed with community input, aims to transform the school district for future decades, elevate career pathway programs, and provide an opportunity to redesign the high school experience.

The work session included an update on Vadnais Heights Elementary, covering enrollment demographics, academic achievement goals, and school-wide highlights. The board also reviewed an update on the 2019 Building Our Future Bond Referendum and facilities projects, including a financial summary of completed and ongoing projects. Furthermore, the board acted to award a bid for parking lot additions at Sunrise Park and White Bear Lake Area High School to Northwest Asphalt, Inc. The session also included a discussion on labor negotiations.

The School Board reviewed updates on the Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education program and discussed a proposed transition from an Area Learning Center to an Alternative Learning Program to enhance academic flexibility. Additionally, the board received a mid-year report on academic progress and discussed the 2026-2029 Achievement and Integration Plan. Action was taken to authorize the purchase of three electric school buses, and the board formally approved the structural transition and implementation plan for the alternative learning pathways.

The meeting provided a comprehensive update on the 2019 Bond Referendum and associated facilities projects. Discussion topics included an overview of the facility planning process, the master plan financing and phasing strategy, and a detailed review of project scopes, schedules, and budgets for various schools and district facilities. The board also reviewed the planning principles for the Future of Learning initiative and received project photography and budget summaries for completed and ongoing construction projects across the district.

The work session included an update on Vadnais Heights Elementary School and a comprehensive review of construction progress and budget status for projects funded by the 2019 referendum. The board formally accepted a bid for parking lot additions at Sunrise Park and White Bear Lake Area High School in the amount of $1,524,000. Additionally, the session included a closed portion dedicated to reviewing strategy and information regarding labor negotiations.