Issues
When I was elected in 2022, I inherited the financial position reflected in the FY2023 Management Report. Three years later, the FY2025 Management Report shows a dramatically stronger financial foundation.
| Measure | FY2023 | FY2025 |
|---|---|---|
| General Fund Expenditures | $89.3 million | $92.1 million |
| General Fund Balance | $362,375 (0.4%) | $11.6 million (12.5%) |
| Internal Service Fund Balance* | -$2.06 million | -$9,001 |
*The Internal Service Fund is used primarily to pay employee medical and dental benefits.
Why These Numbers Matter
A healthy fund balance isn't money sitting idle; it is what allows a school district to weather unexpected expenses, maintain stable operations, protect employee benefits, and avoid financial emergencies.
When I joined the Board, the District had virtually no financial cushion, with only 0.4% of annual operating expenditures held in reserve. Today, our audited financial statements show a 12.5% reserve, placing the District in a far stronger financial position while continuing to operate a budget of more than $92 million.
The employee health benefits fund tells a similar story. In FY2023, it carried a $2.06 million deficit. By FY2025, that deficit had been eliminated, with the fund finishing the year essentially at break-even.
Just as importantly, we achieved these financial improvements without balancing the budget on the backs of our students or our employees. During my time on the Board, we have provided employee compensation increases that have outpaced many neighboring districts while simultaneously rebuilding our financial reserves and stabilizing the employee health benefits fund. This demonstrates an important principle: fiscal responsibility isn't about spending less at all costs; it's about spending smarter. Through thoughtful, disciplined financial decisions, we have been able to invest in our employees, support our students, and leave the District in a much stronger financial position.
These improvements didn't happen by accident. They are the result of deliberate budgeting, careful oversight, and a Board committed to making responsible financial decisions that protect both taxpayers and our schools.
I encourage you to review the District's Management Reports for yourself. The numbers tell the story.
Despite the progress our district has made in various security initiatives, there is still a great deal of work to do. Much of this can be accomplished via policy and procedure by utilizing the resources that we already employ in a smarter and more dynamic way. Additional improvements can be achieved by strengthening our relationships with local law enforcement groups, especially those outside of Forest Lake where many of our most vulnerable elementary-aged children are located.
Physical security is part of my responsibility as a Chief Information Security Officer and I've formulated and reviewed plans for organizations of all sizes. My brother worked in law enforcement as a School Resource Officer for several years. These experiences give me a unique perspective into the security concerns that our schools are facing. I have reviewed this topic as a security professional, a student, a parent of students across many grade levels, and the family member of an onsite first-responder and I believe that I can leverage this experience to help make our schools safer and more secure in the future.
F-A-Q
In my opinion, even the perception of a conflict of interest should be avoided for board members. I don't believe that board members should be employed by the district that they serve (MN law does allow limited employment of board members). Furthermore, the school board needs to remain an entity that is hyper-focused on our students. For that reason, I also believe that potential board members should fully disclose any current or prior relationships to political parties or related organizations.
I also believe that board members who are responsible for making funding and contract decisions should not accept contributions from organizations that can be expected to compete for district contracts. For example, members of our current school board (and other individuals in this race) have accepted significant contributions from organizations such as IBWE Local 110 Electricians, Local 322 Carpenters, Local 68 Carpenters, North Central State Council of Carpenters, Forest Lake Education Association (FLEA, our local teacher's union), and so on. With these organizations actively funding the campaign of board members, how can we be assured that the members in question are serving the needs of the school district and the community instead of their donors?
School board members should never be put in a position where they're beholden to an external entity be that an employer, a political party, a PAC, a union, or related entities. By not accepting any contributions from these types of entities, my focus is able to remain right where it should be, on our students.
I believe that an endorsement by the teacher's union is a conflict of interest for school board members. School board members are elected by the community to represent the students, parents, and the community. The teacher's union is an organization that is funded by teachers to work on their behalf in several ways. Although there should be a strong working relationship between the school board and the teacher's union, there should be clear boundaries that are respected by both entities since they represent different populations.
One obvious example of where a conflict of interest could be detrimental is the collective bargaining process. Both the school board and the teacher's union are instrumental players in the collective bargaining process. Each have an obligation to represent their populations in the best manner possible. I do not believe that a school board member who accepts an endorsement from the teacher's union can fairly represent the community in this process as effectively as a member who does not.
My unwillingness to accept an endorsement from the Forest Lake Education Association is not a sign that I disrespect the organization in any way. In fact, it's the exact opposite. I have such a deep respect for our represented educators that I want all parties to be able to enter any negotiations, contract or otherwise, free from any conflicts of interest so all parties will be adequately represented. I believe that this will result in much stronger relationships in the long run.
Every voter should take the time to learn about each candidate before casting a ballot. I encourage you to visit their campaign websites, compare our backgrounds, priorities, and vision for our schools, and decide who you believe is best prepared to serve our students, families, teachers, and community.
Mike Belz brings his own professional and community experience to the race and has outlined his priorities for strengthening our schools and supporting student success. Sean Thomas is also seeking to serve on the School Board and has shared his vision and priorities for the district on his campaign website. You can learn more about them by visiting their campaign websites:
- Mike Belz: mikebelz4fl.com
- Sean Thomas: seanthomas4fl.com
I believe this election presents voters with two clear choices. One path continues moving our district forward by prioritizing academic achievement, fiscal responsibility, and protecting opportunities for our female athletes. The other path would mean returning to the policies and practices that, in my view, contributed to serious financial challenges, declining enrollment, and lower academic performance. I am committed to keeping our district focused on student success, responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and making decisions that prepare our schools for a stronger future.
