Columbia Heights Public Schools board elects officers, sets member pay and appoints counsels, banks and liaisons

Mary Granlund was elected school board chair and Laura Palmer was elected vice chair as the Columbia Heights Public Schools Board of Education completed its annual organizational business on Jan. 7 during a meeting in the district community room.

The board set monthly member pay, confirmed committee and intergovernmental liaisons, named depositories and legal counsel, and authorized routine administrative delegations including contract authority up to $175,000 under Minnesota Statute 123B.52.

The organizational meeting formalized roles and administrative housekeeping the district uses through the year. Board officers were chosen by acclamation for the calendar year; several standing liaison and committee appointments were approved as a single slate by voice vote. The board also set salaries and per-diem rules for members, confirmed banking and investment depositories, designated outside legal counsel for the district, and named The Life as the district’s official newspaper.

Most votes were taken by voice or acclamation. The board approved a recommended compensation package for members that sets base pay at $500 per month and an additional $100 per month for the chair; it also authorized per-diem payments for approved meetings ($50 per day up to four hours; up to $100 per day for more than four hours).

Administrative designations approved included Northeast Bank, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo and Bank of America…