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Pine River-Backus board elects officers, sets pay and routine 2026 policies
Summary
At its Jan. 5 reorganization meeting in Pine River, the Pine River-Backus School District board elected its officers, approved 2026 meeting dates and administrative designations, set board compensation and reimbursement rates, and named its legal counsel and financial depositories.
Pine River, Minn. — At a Jan. 5 reorganization meeting, the Pine River-Backus School District board elected officers for 2026 and approved a slate of routine administrative policies.
Chris Cunningham was elected board chair after a nomination by board member David Sheley; Ryan Trumble was elected clerk and Roger D. Hoplin was elected treasurer. Carrie Maurer-Ackerman was elected vice chair following a motion by Sheley. The minutes state no further nominations were received and that each motion carried with all members voting aye.
The board approved its 2026 meeting dates and times and directed that regular monthly meetings, special meetings, work sessions and committee meeting notices be posted on the district website. Members were encouraged to confer with the chair if they wish to change committee assignments; committee rosters will remain the same unless members notify the chair.
The board set monthly board compensation and per-meeting pay for 2026: board chair, clerk and treasurer at $200 per month; other board members at $175 per month; and $100 for all special meetings, work sessions, workshops and committee meetings. The board also set mileage reimbursement at the IRS standard rate for claims incurred after Jan. 1, 2026 and established meal reimbursement rates for overnight travel at $20 for breakfast, $25 for lunch and $30 for dinner.
Administrative designations approved included the Pine and Lakes Echo Journal as the official district publication for 2026 and Pine River State Bank and the Minnesota School District Liquid Asset Fund as official depositories. The board authorized the board chair, clerk, treasurer, superintendent, business manager and human resources director to make investments and conduct other banking transactions on behalf of the district.
Members approved district membership in the Minnesota School Board Association, Central Minnesota ERDC, Sourcewell, the Minnesota State High School League, the Cass County Economic Development Corporation, the Pine River Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Rural Education Association. The board named the law firm Kennedy and Graven as district legal counsel and authorized board officers, the superintendent and a designee to contact counsel as needed.
All formal motions recorded in the minutes are described above; the minutes report that each motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Acting Chair Chris Cunningham adjourned the meeting at 5:39 p.m.
