Pine River-Backus board approves consent calendar, $469,233.56 in bills and personnel actions

The Pine River-Backus School Board voted April 6 to approve its consent calendar, which the minutes record as authorizing checks numbered 79143 through 79334 totaling $469,233.56, accepting monetary awards and donations, and approving multiple personnel actions.

Board member David Sheley moved to approve the consent calendar, and Leslie Bouchonville seconded; the board voted unanimously to adopt the motion. The minutes list approved personnel actions that include hiring Matthew Goodenough as Clay Target League coach for the 2026 season, Molly Keefe as assistant track coach for 2026, Neil Travis as assistant baseball coach for 2026 and Emily Johnson as a paraprofessional for 6.5 hours per day effective March 9, 2026. The board also accepted the resignations of Joshua Langseth, elementary principal, effective June 30, 2026; Lisa Toft, high school social studies teacher, effective June 3, 2026; and Valerie Haught, van driver, effective April 17, 2026, and authorized posting to replace the van driver position.

The consent action also designates Superintendent Jonathan Clark as the district’s Identified Official with Authority for Minnesota Department of Education data systems, per the minutes. The board approved the investment report, treasurer’s report and an itemized report on electronic fund transfers and other banking transactions as part of the consent calendar.

The minutes do not provide line-item detail beyond the total for the checks or include direct quotes from presenters; they record the procedural approval and list of personnel and financial items. The board’s next regular meeting is the planned venue for additional budget discussion and other follow-up items.

Meeting provenance: the consent calendar approval and its contents are recorded in the board minutes for April 6, 2026.