Board votes 6–1 to eliminate $20 missed-meeting stipend after debate on access for working candidates

The Hinckley-Finlayson School District board voted 6–1 to remove a $20 stipend that had been paid when a regular meeting was missed, ending a wide-ranging discussion about compensation, candidate access and public service.

During debate, one board member cautioned that modest meeting compensation can affect who is able to run for an elected position. "I'm thinking, if it was $91, maybe more people would be willing to put their name in the hat to run for school board if they knew they wouldn't take a loss on their income," a committee member said, citing Minnesota—s minimum wage as a reference point. That speaker argued the payment could matter for prospective candidates who must miss work to attend meetings.

Other board members pushed back, framing the role as public service and noting committee obligations beyond the single monthly meeting. "You have to be aware when you run for this elected position what is expected of you and what you are signing up for," the chair said. Another member said board members should not be paid if they do not perform the work, and the board discussed balancing compensation with community expectations.

After the motion to remove the $20 missed-meeting stipend was seconded, the board took a roll call vote. The chair called the roll and the motion carried 6–1.

The change was implemented by board action during the meeting; there was no public comment recorded on the item. Board members said they could revisit any remaining compensation details at future meetings and noted that candidates and the public should be informed about the expectations of the office.

The board—s roll-call sequence during the vote identified board members by name, but speakers in the transcript who argued for and against the change did not self-identify by full name on the record; reporting here attributes remarks to the transcript—s speaker labels (committee member, chair) to preserve accuracy with the record.

The board also handled several routine items during the meeting, including approving the support-staff agreement, adopting fees for 2026—27, setting the mileage rate at the federal IRS rate (72.5¢ per mile) and designating the North Pine County News as the district—s official newspaper. Those routine votes were carried by unanimous or near-unanimous tallies.