Pine River-Backus Board approves consent items, personnel changes, fee hike and roof study

The Pine River‑Backus School District Board of Education on Dec. 1 approved a suite of routine business items, personnel moves and policy updates during a brief regular meeting at the high school media center.

Chair Chris Cunningham called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Clerk Leslie Bouchonville moved to approve the Nov. 3 minutes, and Nicki Linsten‑Lodge moved to approve the agenda; both procedural motions were approved unanimously after their seconders were recorded.

The board approved the Consent Calendar on a motion by David Sheley, seconded by Nicki Linsten‑Lodge. The Consent Calendar included payment of checks 78498–78638 totaling $407,949.55, the investment and treasurer reports, a resolution accepting monetary awards and donations, and multiple personnel actions. Among personnel items, the board approved hiring Kenneth Toole as a long‑term substitute for High School Social Studies teacher Rachel Lelwica (approximately Jan. 5–Mar. 20, 2026); accepted the resignation of paraprofessional Lori Flategraff, effective Jan. 31, 2026, and authorized posting to fill a 6.5‑hour per day position; and accepted the resignation of Administrative Assistant Stephanie Todd, effective Dec. 5, 2025, with authorization to fill the position and increase it from 4.5 hours per day for 185 work days to 8 hours per day for 200 work days. The Consent Calendar also authorized posting for an additional 6.5‑hour paraprofessional, raised ninth‑grade activity fees from $70 to $80 effective with the 2026 spring sports season, and added an Announcer extra‑curricular position at $25 per event. The record states the motion carried with all present voting aye.

On other business the board set Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. for the annual reorganization meeting, to be followed immediately by the regular monthly meeting (motion by David Sheley, second by Carrie Maurer‑Ackerman). The board approved Inspec, Inc.'s proposal for roofing consultation services for the 2026–27 high school gym and performance gym (motion by Nicki Linsten‑Lodge, second by Leslie Bouchonville). The board also adopted the 2026–27 school calendar (motion by Carrie Maurer‑Ackerman, second by Roger D. Hoplin) and approved Policy 510.1, Extra‑Curricular and Activity Eligibility (motion by Roger D. Hoplin, second by David Sheley). Each of those motions passed with all present voting aye.

Superintendent Jonathan Clark and administrative staff presented administrative, director and enrollment reports that were heard and entered into the record; the minutes do not summarize their content. The meeting was opened for public comment; the minutes note the open forum but do not record speakers or remarks. Chair Cunningham adjourned the meeting at 5:57 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Approve agenda: Mover Nicki Linsten‑Lodge; seconder Roger D. Hoplin; outcome: approved (6 yes, 0 no, 1 absent). - Approve Nov. 3, 2025 minutes: Mover Leslie Bouchonville; seconder Carrie Maurer‑Ackerman; outcome: approved (6–0, 1 absent). - Approve Consent Calendar (payments, reports, donations, personnel, fee and position changes): Mover David Sheley; seconder Nicki Linsten‑Lodge; outcome: approved (6–0, 1 absent). - Payments: checks 78498–78638 totaling $407,949.55. - Personnel highlights: hire long‑term substitute Kenneth Toole (approx. Jan. 5–Mar. 20, 2026); accept resignations of Lori Flategraff (effective Jan. 31, 2026) and Stephanie Todd (effective Dec. 5, 2025) and authorize replacements; increase administrative assistant position from 4.5 hrs/day (185 days) to 8 hrs/day (200 days); post for an additional paraprofessional (6.5 hrs/day). - Activity fees: ninth‑grade fee raised from $70 to $80 (effective spring 2026). - Extra‑curricular: add Announcer position at $25 per event. - Set reorganization meeting for Jan. 5, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.: Mover David Sheley; seconder Carrie Maurer‑Ackerman; outcome: approved (6–0, 1 absent). - Approve Inspec, Inc. roofing consultation proposal: Mover Nicki Linsten‑Lodge; seconder Leslie Bouchonville; outcome: approved (6–0, 1 absent). - Adopt 2026–27 school calendar: Mover Carrie Maurer‑Ackerman; seconder Roger D. Hoplin; outcome: approved (6–0, 1 absent). - Approve Policy 510.1 (Extra‑Curricular and Activity Eligibility): Mover Roger D. Hoplin; seconder David Sheley; outcome: approved (6–0, 1 absent).

What’s next

The board will hold its reorganization meeting on Jan. 5, 2026 at 5:30 p.m., followed by the regular monthly meeting.