Advisory Councils

Purpose

The purpose of the Community Education Advisory Council (CEAC) is to serve in an advisory capacity to the Director of Community Education in the fulfillment of the Department's goal, which is to provide learning opportunities and resources for the community to develop life-long skills.

Membership Requirements and Selection Criteria

Members must be legal residents, employees or officers of collaborating organizations, or employees of the Lakeville Area Schools.

Membership will be considered according to the following criteria:

• Expressed interest in school and community affairs.
• Expressed interest in the Community Education philosophy and its development.
• Leadership potential.
• Enthusiasm and interest in working towards the CEAC Mission and goals.
• Ability to participate on a regular basis.
• Ability to maintain diversity within the membership.
• Current or potential conflicts of interest.
   

Membership Term

• 3 years for members.
• 2 years for community liaisons.
• 1 year for students.

Typical Meeting Schedule

• 4-5 meetings/year.
• Thursday evenings, 6:15-7:45 p.m. In-person and remote participation via Google Meet options available.

Contact

Steve Porter
Director of Community Education
Steve.Porter@isd194.org
952-232-2150

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Purpose

The Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) Advisory Council advises the administration of the Community Education Department on the District's early childhood programs. The advisory council offers feedback and input on program areas including current offerings, development and outreach, evaluation, and resource assessment.

Membership Requirements and Selection Criteria

Membership shall consist of an appropriate number of members determined by the council's officers. This council shall reflect the diversity of the District and shall include:

• Program staff represented by the Director of Early Learning
• Parents of children (birth to third grade) enrolled in ECFE shall comprise the majority of the advisory council members
• Community residents with an interest in fulfilling the mission of the ECFE program.

Membership Term

Members are invited to participate for an initial 1-year term (renewable annually).

Typical Meeting Schedule

The advisory council meets monthly, August through May (no meetings will be held in June, July or December), for a total of nine meetings. Childcare will be provided. 

Meetings are open to the public and links for virtual participation are provided upon request. Members are expected to attend all meetings with allowances for reasonable absences.

Contact

Molly Dexter
Director of Early Learning 
molly.dexter@isd194.org | 952-232-3011

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Purpose

The Finance Advisory Council’s purpose is to function as an advisory committee to the Lakeville Area Schools Administration to ensure community participation and understanding of the school district’s financial and budget planning processes, and to provide input to the Administration on budget planning that supports the school district’s goals. Fiscal topics include short- and long-term financial planning; financial policies and practices; financial decisions’ impact analysis; local, state and national trends in finance and economics; and analysis of legislative issues affecting education.  

Level of Authority

Advisory to the Superintendent

Membership

Composed of 4 interested citizens or taxpayers of the district who, upon application, are appointed by the Board of Education for 3-year terms.  

Also included are representatives (1 each) of:  

• Licensed staff member,  
• Non-licensed staff member,  
• Building administrator, and  
• Board of Education member. 

*These are volunteer-based staff membership positions and are not stipend. 

The Superintendent, Executive Director of Business Services and Controller shall serve as ex-officio members.  

Selection/Participation/Vacancies  

The Superintendent and Director of Business Services shall review applications. Initial terms will be for 2 or 3 years so that replacements are staggered. Any vacancies shall be filled by the same process.  

Members are expected to attend all meetings. Members not able to meet this commitment may be asked to resign.  

Meetings will be held at least quarterly.

Typical Meeting Schedule

The Finance Advisory Council meets at least four times per year at the school district office in Lakeville from 5-6 p.m. 

Contact

Bill Holmgren
Executive Director of Business Services
Bill.Holmgren@isd194.org
952-232-2028

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Purpose

The Gifted Advisory Council (GAC) was formed to promote and enhance the goals and objectives of K-12 Gifted/Advanced Services programming. The council participates in but is not limited to:

• Examine and review current gifted education best practice research in order to be an informed and united voice in advocacy for the unique needs of gifted learners.
• Provide ongoing feedback about current gifted programming in Lakeville Area Schools.

Membership Requirements and Selection Criteria

The Gifted Advisory Council shall reflect the diversity of our district and the school sites. Members include:

• parents
• licensed staff
• students
• building administrators
• Board of Education

Whenever possible, parents and other community residents shall comprise at least two-thirds of the advisory council members. 

District leadership shall review applications for public participation on the Council. Those selected will be notified and will start their term in September of each year.

Membership Term

Members are invited to participate for up to a 3-year term.

Typical Meeting Schedule

The Gifted Advisory Council meets a minimum of 3 times a year for 75 minutes. Tuesday evenings 4:15-5:30 p.m.

Members are expected to attend all meetings.

Contact

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Purpose

The Multi-District Collaborative Council (MDCC) was formed to develop and sustain the joint district Achievement and Integration Plan for Lakeville Area Schools and ISD 191 (Burnsville, Eagan, Savage). The MDCC is comprised of staff from both districts as well as community members and parents/guardians. Members help to promote collaboration and understanding and build support for the district’s overall goals as well as individual programs, policies, and initiatives.

Membership Requirements and Selection Criteria

The Multi-District Collaborative Council (MDCC) shall reflect the diversity of our district. Members include:

• Lakeville Area Schools staff
• Students
• Parents
• Other community residents
• Board of Education member
   

Membership Term

Members are invited to participate for an initial 1-year term (renewable annually). 

Typical Meeting Schedule

The MDCC meets 3 times a year for 90 minutes. Mondays from 4:00-5:30 p.m.

Contact

Rhonda Kaczor
Administrative Assistance 
Rhonda.Kaczor@isd194.org
952-232-2046

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Purpose

The Special Education Community Advisory Council (SEAC) advises the Executive Director of Student Services regarding current issues, program development, parental concerns, and departmental priorities. Its purpose is to provide input to the District's special education department, to serve as a communication link with the Lakeville area community at large, and to advocate for high-quality educational programs for all students. The council believes that one of the most important aspects of special education services is the role played by parents in the education of their children with special needs. 

Membership Requirements and Selection Criteria

At least half of the designated council members must be parents of students with a disability.

When a non-public school is located in the district, the council must include at least one member who is a parent of a non-public school student with a disability or an employee of a non-public school if no parent of a non-public school student with a disability is available to serve.

Membership Term

Members shall serve an initial two-year term. The term begins with the first meeting in September. Those appointed to the council during the course of the school year will start their two-year term the following September. Membership thereafter may continue on a yearly basis.

Typical Meeting Schedule

Meetings are held quarterly (September 2025, November 2025, January 2026 & March 2026) from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the District Office. Meetings shall be up to two hours in length.

Contact

Rose Larsen

Teaching and Learning Assistant

952-232-2020

The purpose of the Wellness Policy Advisory Council is to provide input and feedback to Administration and the School Board regarding the District’s wellness policy. The committee participates in, but is not limited to:
 

 

The Wellness Policy Advisory Council shall reflect the diversity of our District and its schools. Members include representatives from:
 

The committee members will review applications for public and student participation on the Council. Those selected will be notified by the Wellness Policy Advisory Council leader and will start their term in September of each year.

 

Membership is composed of interested staff and stakeholders who, upon accepted application, are invited to participate for up to a 3-year term.

 

The Wellness Policy Advisory Council shall meet 2-3 times a year for 1.5-2 hours. Meetings will be held during the school year from 4:00 -6:00 pm and are held in-person.