News

District leaders took part in a groundbreaking ceremony at Otter Lake Elementary to celebrate additions happening at the school. The project is part of the district-wide comprehensive facilities plan which was made possible through the community’s support of the 2019 bond referendum.

The White Bear Lake Area School District is pleased to announce that Dr. Martina Wagner has been chosen to serve as the district’s Director of Educational Equity and Achievement. She will begin her role with the district on July 1, 2022.

Vadnais Heights Elementary teacher Mae Haley was recently named the White Bear Lake Area Educators 2022-23 Teacher of the Year.

The district’s most recent 4-year graduation rate, released by MDE this week, tops the state’s graduation rate by almost eight percentage points, and WBLAHS - South Campus is in the top tier of high schools in the entire metro area.

At the March 28, 2022 School Board Work Session, the White Bear Lake Area School Board unanimously approved a Resolution Supporting Commitment to Equity and Inclusion.

Parents of Indian children, teachers, and representatives of Indian Tribes are invited to attend opportunities to provide programmatic recommendations for the American Indian Education Program at White Bear Lake Area Schools. An in-person meeting will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5 at District Center (4855 Bloom Avenue in White Bear Lake). A virtual meeting will take place from 12:30-2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26. RSVPs are required.

The district’s plan for changed attendance boundaries was approved at the Feb. 14, 2022 Regular School Board Meeting.

Groundbreaking ceremonies took place in mid-December to celebrate additions happening at two of our elementary schools - Birch Lake and Lakeaires Elementary. The projects, part of the district-wide comprehensive facilities plan, are made possible through the community’s support of the 2019 bond referendum.

At the December 13, 2021 Regular Meeting, the White Bear Lake Area School Board approved the name North Star Elementary for the new elementary school in Hugo.

The district is pleased to announce that Brian Morris, who currently serves as the principal at Hugo Elementary, has been chosen to fill the role of principal at Lincoln Elementary. The transition will happen over the summer of 2022, when current Lincoln Principal Dan Schmidt moves into the principal role at the district’s new North Star Elementary currently being constructed in Hugo.

2021 Annual Update information will soon be mailed to all District households as an inclusion in the Bear’s Bulletin flip-book portion of the Winter Community Services Catalog. An electronic version is currently available on the district website.

White Bear Lake Area Schools is currently hiring for a variety of positions. Apply to be a Bear today!

White Bear Lake Area Schools’ average proficiency rates remained above the State rates in all subject areas for Spring 2021, with Reading scores at 56%, Math scores at 45% and Science scores at 47%. WBLAS grade 5 had the highest proficiency rate in Reading (68%), Grade 3 in Math (57%) and Grade 5 in Science (54%)

The district recently mailed an end-of-the-year Bear's Update to all district residents.

Senior community members (age 65+) who live in the District are invited to participate in the Senior Activities Pass program and enjoy complimentary admission to school activities. Learn more.

White Bear Lake Area Schools are currently accepting enrollment for the 2021-22 school year. Families can choose traditional in-person school or the district's Distance Learning Academy.

At the April 16, 2021 School Board Special Session, the School Board approved the School Start Time Change proposal to be implemented in the fall of 2021-22.

Key factors of the proposal include:

• Alignment with Strategic Plan.
• Alignment adolescent sleep research.
• Mitigation of traffic impact.
• A more efficient, three-tiered transportation system.

The 2021-22 Academic Calendar was approved at the January 11, 2021 School Board meeting. 

Principals, Board liaisons, district leaders and construction partners gathered recently to celebrate groundbreakings at construction sites currently underway throughout the district. 

The projects include an additional gymnasium at the current South Campus; additions at Lincoln, Matoska International, Vadnais Heights and Willow Lane Elementary Schools; and a brand new Transportation Building.

The Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) has named White Bear Lake Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Wayne Kazmierczak as the 2021 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year. Dr. K was selected for this honor by a panel of representatives from a variety of Minnesota education organizations. Nominees are evaluated on how each candidate demonstrates leadership for learning, communication skills, professionalism, and community involvement.