Columbia Heights board confirms leaders, appoints parliamentary and liaison roles

The Columbia Heights Public Schools Board held its organizational meeting Jan. 6 and elected or confirmed officers and standing appointments for 2026.

Chair Granlund, who was the only nomination for board chair, declared herself elected by acclamation after nominations closed. Michelle Pettway was declared vice chair by acclamation after other candidates withdrew or were not nominated further. Laura was elected clerk by acclamation, and Julie Houle was named treasurer by acclamation. "As Laura is the only candidate nominated for the office of clerk, I hereby declare her elected by acclamation," the chair said during the meeting.

The board also appointed Jessica Medeiros (referred to in materials as Jessica Maderas/Medeiros) as parliamentarian and voted to adopt Robert's Rules of Order (newly revised, except as modified by board policy) as the board’s procedural framework. The motion to adopt Robert's Rules and appoint the parliamentarian passed by acclamation.

Board members took a series of liaison and subcommittee appointments. The board named Pettway MSBA legislative liaison; Lorian/Lorien Mueller as Brightworks liaison; Julie Houle as representative to the Minnesota State High School League; Laura as the Northeast Metro Intermediate District representative; and assigned liaisons to neighboring cities and internal subcommittees. The policy subcommittee will include Jessica, Laura and the chair; the community engagement subcommittee will be chaired by Michelle and include Julie and Lorian.

All nominations and appointment motions were made from the floor, seconded, and approved during the meeting. The board emphasized continuity while noting some roles will be revisited at the end of the school year when liaison appointment cycles shift to a July–June cadence.