Lakeville School Board Recap: Coach Controversy, a 15% Insurance Hike, and a $20M Bond Sale
TLDR
About 30 people showed up to support Coach Blake Nichols — four spoke during public comment asking the board to table his district-requested resignation. The consent agenda (which included his resignation) still passed 5-1.
Health insurance premiums for all district staff are going up 15% after claims spiked $5 million last year and drained the district’s self-funded savings account.
The board approved a $20.6 million bond sale at a 3.5% interest rate for building maintenance projects.
Two school policies on student searches and hazing sparked heated debate. Multiple amendments to require parental notification all failed on 3-3 votes. Both policies passed 4-2.
Early voting for the $139.6 million middle school referendum starts this Friday, March 27.
Tuesday night’s Lakeville school board meeting was a long one. Between emotional public comment, a multimillion-dollar bond sale, and back-to-back policy fights that split the board, there was a lot to unpack.
Here’s everything that went down.
Community Rallies Behind Coach Blake Nichols
The biggest moment of the night came before the board even got to its official business. About 30 parents and students filled the room to support Blake Nichols, Lakeville South’s girls basketball coach whose district-requested resignation was on the consent agenda.
Four speakers used public comment to make their case. A former University of Minnesota football coach praised Nichols for knowing youth players by name. A former Lakeville South basketball captain called the investigation process “unbalanced and incomplete.” A basketball association board member said the decision felt like it was “made in a vacuum.” All four asked the board to table the resignation. It didn’t happen — the consent agenda passed 5-1.
This comes just days after Lakeville South's boys hockey coach also resigned at the district's request. According to Star Tribune reporting, it's been a turbulent stretch for Lakeville athletics.
Health Insurance Premiums Going Up 15%
If you work for Lakeville Area Schools, your health insurance premiums are going up — and it’s not a small bump.
The board approved a 15% increase to cover a rough year of claims. The district is self-funded, meaning it collects premiums and pays claims directly. Last year, claims hit about $35 million — $5 million more than the historical average. That wiped out most of the district’s health insurance savings account, dropping it from $8.5 million to about $2.5 million.
The 15% hike is designed to cover current costs AND start rebuilding that savings cushion. Recovery is expected to take 2-4 years. Blue Cross Blue Shield stays as the provider, but the district is adding a new pharmacy benefit manager (Crumbale Specialty and Express Scripts), which is projected to save about $2 million a year.
Dental premiums are going up 3% through Delta Dental.
$20.6 Million Bond Sale Approved
The board gave the green light to sell $20.6 million in bonds for long-term building maintenance projects. The winning bid came from TD Financial out of New York at a 3.5% tax-exempt interest rate — a bit higher than the district had hoped for, but still historically low.
Seven bidders showed up, which is a healthy sign in a choppy market. The bond has an 11-year term, and the district will have the option to refinance a chunk of it in 2033. Moody’s affirmed the district’s A1 credit rating.
One board member asked if they could reject the sale and try again later for a better rate. The financial advisor said yes technically, but it wouldn't look great to the market — and rates could just as easily go higher.
Board Splits 4-2 on Student Search and Hazing Policies
This one got tense. The board updated two policies — one on searching students and one on hazing — as part of an audit by the Minnesota School Board Association. The updates themselves were mostly technical (adding legal references and cross-references), but several board members tried to add parental notification requirements.
Directors Swanson and Thompson pushed hard: if a student gets searched — especially physically — shouldn’t parents be notified? The superintendent confirmed it already happens in practice, but legal counsel recommended against putting it in the written policy because it could increase liability if someone ever failed to follow through.
Multiple amendments failed on identical 3-3 votes (Swanson, Thompson, Reichenberger in favor — Cameron, Anderson, Baker opposed). Both policies passed 4-2.
A similar dynamic played out on the hazing policy, where an amendment to add language about electronic or digital hazing also failed 3-3.
$139.6 Million Referendum — Early Voting Starts Friday
Chair Cameron reminded everyone that early voting for the Growing Together referendum starts this Friday, March 27. The $139.6 million bond would fund expansions and renovations at all three middle schools to handle enrollment growth.
If approved, it would add about $14/month to property taxes on a $500,000 home. A community meeting is scheduled for April 14 at 5 PM at the district office. Election day is May 12.
Also on the Agenda
CommonLit 360 adopted as the new core ELA resource for grades 9-12 (approved 6-0). The digital curriculum was field-tested starting in 2024 and reviewed by a community advisory council.
Consent agenda passed 5-1, covering meeting minutes, employment recommendations, resignations, payment of bills, election judge appointments for May 12, and the 2027-29 school calendars.
Review and Comment public hearing on bonds was tabled to the April 14 work session.
Advisory council applications open April 6-24 for nine councils covering finance, teaching/learning, special education, and wellness.
Paraprofessional Appreciation Week is April 6-10.
Notable Moments
Superintendent Bowman kicked off the meeting with a massive list of student accomplishments — state gymnastics, wrestling, swimming and diving, curling (first place in Section 4!), Science Olympiad, mock trial, DECA, and adapted floor hockey. Lakeville North's speech team presented as well, with team captain Kayn Wyn performing a two-minute snippet of her original oratory about idolization and internet culture that drew applause. If you want to see more, the team's Wordplay showcase is Thursday night at Lakeville North from 6-8 PM.
The district also received its 10th consecutive Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Association of School Business Officials International.
The Bottom Line
If you’re a Lakeville resident, the biggest thing on your plate right now is the $139.6 million referendum. Early voting starts Friday. Get informed before you cast your vote — there’s a community meeting on April 14 if you have questions.
The next regular school board meeting hasn’t been announced, but the April 14 work session will cover the tabled bond discussion and the referendum info session.
FAQ
Wait, what happened with Coach Nichols? Is he gone?
His district-requested resignation was included in the consent agenda, which passed 5-1. So yes, it was approved. Four community members spoke during public comment asking the board to table it, but the consent agenda was not pulled for separate discussion.
Why are insurance premiums going up 15%?
The district is self-funded for health insurance. Claims spiked about $5 million above normal last year, draining the savings account from $8.5 million to about $2.5 million. The increase is meant to cover current costs and start rebuilding that reserve.
What’s the $20.6 million bond for?
Long-term building maintenance projects. Think roofs, HVAC systems, infrastructure upkeep. It’s separate from the $139.6 million referendum for middle school expansions.
Why did the board split on the search and hazing policies?
Three directors wanted to add parental notification requirements to the written policies. The other three sided with legal counsel’s recommendation to keep it out of policy (since the practice already happens) to reduce liability risk.
When can I vote on the referendum?
Early voting starts March 27 at the district office. Mail-in voting is also available. Election day is May 12 at your assigned precinct. Check isd194.org for details.
