The Forest Lake Area School District will be cutting its 2025 operating budget by $1.25 million due to student enrollment continuing to decline. The board approved the cut during its early April meeting. Even after the 2018 levy increase approval and some assistance through COVID-related state and federal dollars, throughout the past few years, the Forest Lake Area School District has lost significant dollars, citing student enrollment decline – at roughly 100 students lost per year – as a major reason as the state provides dollars using a per pupil formula.
“As we analyze state revenues, local revenues … there’s a need to rightsize and adjust operational costs within the district,” Superintendent Steve Massey said.
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