Cloquet Schools Back Northern Lights Academy Building Bid

The school board voted to raise a levy to help fund a new facility for the special education cooperative.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Cloquet School Board unanimously voted to support Northern Lights Academy's request for $6.5 million in state bonding to either construct a new school or purchase an existing structure. The board agreed to raise property taxes, along with the academy's 12 other member school districts, to provide a 50% funding match.

Why it matters

Northern Lights Academy provides critical special education services across the Arrowhead Region, but its current split locations in Cloquet and Carlton lack adequate space and facilities. Securing a dedicated building would allow the academy to expand its programming and better serve the 2,400 special education students in its member districts.

The details

The academy currently operates classrooms in the former Garfield School in Cloquet and Carlton High School, but the future of the Carlton location is uncertain as the district works to consolidate with the neighboring Wrenshall School District. Northern Lights Academy Executive Director Billie Jo Steen said the academy has been "looking fiercely" for other space options this school year, but still doesn't have a solution. A new building would allow the academy to offer comprehensive programs it's currently unable to provide, as well as provide much-needed green space and playgrounds.

  • On February 9, 2026, the Cloquet School Board unanimously voted to support Northern Lights Academy's request for $6.5 million in state bonding.
  • Northern Lights Academy has sought state funding for a new building for the last four years.

The players

Northern Lights Academy

A public education cooperative providing special education services for students across the Arrowhead Region of Minnesota.

Cloquet School Board

The school board for Cloquet Public Schools, which is the largest member district of Northern Lights Academy.

Billie Jo Steen

The executive director of Northern Lights Academy.

Michael Cary

The superintendent of Cloquet Public Schools.

Carlton County Board of Commissioners

The county board that has identified a potential site near the Carlton County Justice Center for a new Northern Lights Academy building.

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What they’re saying

“This is not yet formally committing the money, but we are asking you to take it seriously as though you would be.”

— Michael Cary, Superintendent, Cloquet Public Schools (pinejournal.com)

“There's been lots, and I mean, probably countless hours and weeks worth of work dedicated over the years to either find existing spaces or consider constructing an option.”

— Michael Cary, Superintendent, Cloquet Public Schools (pinejournal.com)

“We've been looking fiercely this school year for other opportunities, including warehouse spaces and whatever we can kind of get creative to look at. But it is mid-February, and we still don't have a solution for that.”

— Billie Jo Steen, Executive Director, Northern Lights Academy (pinejournal.com)

“If we didn't have a Northern Lights Academy, that would place a significant burden on our school districts.”

— Billie Jo Steen, Executive Director, Northern Lights Academy (pinejournal.com)

“This really saves us money by allowing us to be able to combine services across the district.”

— Michael Cary, Superintendent, Cloquet Public Schools (pinejournal.com)

What’s next

If the state Legislature appropriates funding for Northern Lights Academy's building project, the Cloquet School Board and the academy's 12 other member districts will need to raise a 50% funding match through a property tax levy.

The takeaway

The Cloquet School Board's support for Northern Lights Academy's building bid highlights the critical role the special education cooperative plays in serving high-need students across the Arrowhead Region, and the need for dedicated, purpose-built facilities to allow the academy to expand its programming and better meet the needs of its 2,400 students.