03/03/2026
I encourage anyone who would like more context regarding the ongoing conversations being had with Children's Corner to please read the statement linked below. For further transparency, I am also including an email response I personally sent to an individual who reached out asking for clarification.
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There are three important points I would ask everyone to keep in mind as conversations continue regarding Children’s Corner and the Fergus Falls School District:
1. One of the primary responsibilities of the District and the School Board is to be responsible stewards of the taxpayer dollars entrusted to us.
2. The Fergus Falls School District’s mission is “to prepare productive, engaged members of society by creating an environment where all students reach their full potential.” In short, our focus is providing an exceptional education to our students.
3. The relationship between Children’s Corner and the Fergus Falls School District is that of landlord and lessee.
When I began my service on the School Board in January 2025, we were approached by the Executive Director of Children’s Corner with a request to reduce the lease payment by a significant amount. At that time, we agreed to discuss the terms of the lease with both the Executive Director and their Board. In order to fully assess the request and understand its potential impact on the District, we asked for financial documentation from Children’s Corner.
Referring back to point #1: the lease payment from Children’s Corner is part of the bond payment for Lincoln School. If the full lease amount is not received, the District would need to draw from the general fund to cover the shortfall. Doing so would effectively subsidize the operations of Children’s Corner. Which, as noted in points #2 and #3, we are neither legally nor ethically positioned to do.
Over the course of the year, we continued to request the financial information necessary to evaluate the proposal but did not receive it. Eventually, the matter was transitioned to our respective legal counsel. The meeting that was closed on January 12 occurred so that we could confer with our attorney regarding correspondence and updates, as permitted under Minnesota Statute 13D.05, subdivision 3(b), which governs attorney-client privilege.
I want to be clear that I have been working closely and diligently on this issue as it has developed. I volunteered to serve on RCCIP meetings alongside representatives from Children’s Corner in an effort to help identify potential solutions. (It is worth noting that their representative stepped away from the group shortly after I joined.) Additionally, I have been in conversation with other community organizations to explore how potential childcare gaps could be addressed should a worst-case scenario occur.
Regarding those “worst-case scenarios” (including the possible closure of McKinley) there has been no decision made, nor is anything set in stone. This is one of several scenarios discussed by the School Board’s ad hoc Children’s Corner committee in the event that Children’s Corner vacates the building. Decisions of this magnitude will not be made without thoughtful input from staff, administration, and the broader community.
This situation is nuanced and complex. As a District and as a Board, we fully recognize the critical need for childcare in our community. At the same time, balancing that need with our legal obligations and our responsibility to prioritize students and safeguard taxpayer dollars requires careful consideration.
Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions. You can message me here or email me at [email protected]. You can even stop me if you see me out and about and I will take time to chat.
As mentioned, I have been engaged in this process in multiple capacities and am more than willing to answer questions to the best of my ability.
We are all on the same team. Let’s approach this with collaboration and good faith rather than conflict.
Public Statement Regarding Children’s Corner and District Facilities
https://fergusotters.org/?view=article&id=452:supt-drake-public-statement-regarding-childrens-corner-and-district-facilities&catid=8
