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Pine River-Backus board approves revised FY2026 budget, multiple hires and audit contract
Summary
At a May 18 special meeting the Pine River-Backus School District Board of Education unanimously approved a revised fiscal year 2026 budget, hired two building principals and other staff, accepted three resignations, approved a principals’ master agreement and signed an audit statement of work.
The Pine River-Backus School District Board of Education on May 18, 2026 unanimously approved a revised fiscal year 2026 budget and a series of personnel actions and contracts at a special meeting in the high school media center in Pine River.
The board adopted the revised fiscal year 2026 budget following a motion by Board Member Nicki Linsten-Lodge and a second from Leslie Bouchonville; the board's vote was recorded as unanimous (all seven board members present voted yes). The meeting lasted from 5:30 p.m. to 5:37 p.m.
The board approved multiple hirings to take effect for the 2026–27 school year. Roger D. Hoplin moved and Leslie Bouchonville seconded the hiring of Rachel LeFavor as Middle School Principal, effective July 1, 2026; the motion carried unanimously. David Sheley moved and Leslie Bouchonville seconded approval of Julia Bjerke as Elementary School Principal, effective July 1, 2026; that motion also passed unanimously. The board approved hiring Cayla Loy as a Speech Language Pathologist for the 2026–27 school year (motion by Roger D. Hoplin, second by Carrie Maurer-Ackerman) and approved Nicholas Ackerman as the varsity girls basketball coach for the 2026–27 season (motion by David Sheley, second by Nicki Linsten-Lodge); both motions passed with all board members voting yes.
The board accepted three personnel resignations and authorized postings to fill the vacancies: Cade Morse, physical education teacher, effective June 3, 2026 (motion by Leslie Bouchonville, second by Nicki Linsten-Lodge); Daniel Miller, route bus driver, effective May 29, 2026 (motion by Roger D. Hoplin, second by Carrie Maurer-Ackerman); and Sadie Jordan, elementary teacher, effective June 3, 2026 (motion by Nicki Linsten-Lodge, second by Leslie Bouchonville). Each resignation acceptance was approved unanimously.
On labor and oversight matters, the board approved a Master Agreement between Pine River-Backus Schools and the Pine River-Backus Principals Association covering July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028 (motion by Nicki Linsten-Lodge, second by Roger D. Hoplin). The board also approved a fiscal 2025–26 audit statement of work with CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP (motion by Ryan Trumble, second by Roger D. Hoplin); both motions carried with unanimous votes.
The meeting minutes were recorded by Cindy Felthous and Clerk Ryan Trumble signed the minutes. Chair Chris Cunningham adjourned the meeting at 5:37 p.m.
Actions taken at the meeting were procedural and administrative in nature: budget adoption, personnel hires and separations, approval of a principals’ master agreement, and authorization of an audit engagement. No contested votes, formal debates or public comments are recorded in the minutes.
