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100TH BIRTHDAY: White Bear Lake resident ‘100 & fabulous’ PAGE 11
Dad’s biggest fans
Dellwood pediatrician turns wish into career
School board votes on preliminary 2026-27 budget
Ahead of Father’s Day Sunday, June 21, the White Bear Press asked local families to share a message for their dad.
to questions from board members. Skaar shared his personal research that, combining the past The school board six years, WBL Area has approved the Schools have outpaced preliminary budget inflation by roughly 3%, of $156 million, and it despite a 4.4% decrease will need to adopt the in enrollment. final budget this fall. “Expenses, costs, The budget, presented by Director of Finance revenues – they’re tied Andi Johnson, is to enrollment, right?” projected to have $156 Skaar asked. million in expenditures “Not always,” for the upcoming Johnson said. “They’re academic year – also tied to specific meaning the district is categorical funding. So, budgeting to have $2.6 a good example is –” million in excess. The Skaar cut into preliminary Johnson’s 2026-27 answer before “It’s not revenue is she could finish. simple. A $10 million She continued greater than $150 million on after a beat, last year’s, pointing to budget is with nearly COVID funding just not that and longall of that new money term facility simple. coming from expenses as a Andi Johnson increased reason for the special Director of higher revenues education over the past six Finance and English years. learner budgets to “We have to peel back match increased needs. the onion a little bit and This comes amid look at the categorical a growing stretch on revenue,” Johnson said. school district budgets “It’s not simple. A $150 and local concern with million budget is just increased property not that simple.” taxes, given the Skaar then shared Minnesota per-pupil concern for upkeep revenue has not kept costs for new facilities, pace with inflation with his main worries since 2003. During the rooted in the decreased previous 2025-26 fiscal enrollment. Buildings year, the White Bear create fixed costs, district overspent by and that, on top of $4.6 million. less federal funding Johnson shared a due to fewer students, detailed breakdown results in less money of where revenues are being spent on students coming from, what the in the classroom, money is to be spent Skaar argued. He on by object area, and then recommended how the money is being two paths forward for spent by program. Johnson: zero-based Chair Scott Arcand then opened the forum SEE DISTRICT BUDGET, PAGE 2 BY SARAH BAKEMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
Dr. Jen Pratt (Krueger) was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer in her leg, right before she turned 11. Going through her cancer journey, coupled with her Make-A-Wish experience, she was inspired to become a pediatrician. The Dellwood resident’s story is Dr. Jen Pratt featured in a special now streaming on Hulu and Disney+ called “Lasting Wishes: A Disney & Make-A-Wish Celebration.” The piece was put together by Localish, a national television and digital media network created by ABC Owned Television Stations, to celebrate the longstanding partnership between Disney and Make-AWish. The special highlights inspiring stories of wishes that have changed lives and continue to make an impact long after they come true. “(My wish) provided that hope that we really needed at a time that was really challenging,” Pratt explained. “Make-A-Wish is so much more than one day or one moment in time; it really changed the trajectory of how I was approaching my treatment.” Pratt was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her femur. She underwent several surgeries at Mayo Clinic, and all her chemotherapy was at Children’s Minnesota. She missed a year of school while undergoing intense chemotherapy and was in and out of the hospital due to the treatment and complications from the treatment. “I was on crutches or in a wheelchair for most of a year before I got back to walking and weight-bearing. It was a long journey,” Pratt recalled.
PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
“Dad (Ben) is the best dad ever! My dad is special because he goes fishing with me and helps me catch big fish. I like it when he makes funny faces with me.” - Oliver and Charlie
“Happy Father’s Day, Micah! To the best firefighter dad, we love you! From all the buggys you squish, to the girl dad moments, thank you for being the best dad around!” - Eloise and Cecelia
”
“Happy Father’s Day Blake! To the best hug-giver, snack maker and entertainer in the world! You’re the best dad and we’re so lucky to have you! Thank you for everything.” - Love, Jacqueline and Savannah
“To daddy (Scott) the best dad in todo el mundo! I love you more than all the estrellitas in the sky! I can’t wait for you to teach me to fish, and we can catch a big slimy fishie! Baby brother loves you too! Lots more sticky hugs and unknown wet mysterious blobs. Love you, Happy Father’s Day!” -Annette and Roy
SEE FROM PATIENT TO PEDIATRICIAN, PAGE 7
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