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Chisago Lakes board keeps leadership, approves routine annual business and financial delegations
Summary
At its organizational meeting the Chisago Lakes School Board reappointed its chair, named Jeff Lindeman vice chair and Jen clerk, accepted the 2026 meeting calendar and routine annual resolutions, delegated signature authority for approved contracts up to $25,000, and reviewed finances (reporting a little over $19 million on hand).
The Chisago Lakes School Board on Jan. (organizational meeting) reappointed its chair and named Jeff Lindeman vice chair and Jen clerk for 2026, approved its 2026 meeting calendar and a series of routine annual business items, and accepted financial and administrative delegations.
The board voted, mostly by voice or roll call where required, to accept the consent agenda (claims/accounts, personnel and past minutes), the list of district depositories, a legal counsel roster and the Chisago County Press as the district’s official newspaper for required public notices. In an annual resolution the board authorized use of facsimile signatures and delegated authority to sign contracts, after board approval, to the superintendent or the director of business services up to the bid‑law threshold cited in the meeting ('up to the bid law of $25,000'). S1 said, 'I'll remain the chair of the school board for 2026,' after no other nominations were raised.
Why it matters: the organizational meeting establishes who will hold leadership roles, where official notices will be published, and what administrative delegations staff may exercise between regular board meetings. The delegation to the superintendent and business director affects routine contract execution on items previously approved by the board.
Treasurer and enrollment: The director of business services provided a fiscal update showing the district’s general fund and enterprise areas tracking 'pretty much right on par' for the last reported month. S5 reported, 'we have a little over $19,000,000 in the bank as of the November.' The same speaker reported updated enrollment figures in the meeting: 'We're at 32 0 7' compared with a prior figure cited as '31 97,' and said those increases came from multiple buildings (primary school +3, Lakeside +3, Taylor's Falls +2, middle school +2).
Policy and procedural actions: The board accepted the IRS mileage rate as stated in the meeting (clarified in discussion as 72.5¢ per mile for 2026), approved an annual standing resolution allowing district administration to recommend program and position reductions, authorized administration to develop specifications and solicit bids, and approved a motion permitting the superintendent/business director to make payments between board meetings when necessary.
Compensation and donations: The board discussed board member pay (current rates cited in the meeting were $45 per regular meeting, $75 for an extended meeting, and $100 for an all‑day meeting) and voted to leave the stipend schedule unchanged. The board also accepted several community donations presented under new business.
Next steps: S1 said the adopted board meeting dates will be posted on the district website and staff will proceed with implementation of the routine annual items. The meeting adjourned after the board completed its organizational business.
