Holdingford school board elects officers, approves 2026 calendar and board pay

Lori Opatz was elected chair of the School Board of Independent School District #738 at the board’s Jan. 21, 2026 organizational meeting, after Ben Christensen nominated her and no other nominations were received; she was declared elected by acclamation. Rob Knettel was elected vice-chair, Evelyn Martini clerk and Ben Christensen treasurer, all by acclamation.

The board approved its 2026 meeting calendar, scheduling regular meetings at 6:00 p.m. in the district Meeting Room unless otherwise noted; Meet & Confer sessions will meet at 3:15 p.m. in the District Conference Room and work sessions at 6:00 p.m. in the Meeting Room. The vote to adopt the calendar carried unanimously.

Board members also set compensation for 2026: $60 per regular, special and committee meeting; $85 for out-of-district meetings and for meetings exceeding six hours; and annual stipends of $300 for the chair and $100 each for the clerk and treasurer. The motion to set pay carried unanimously.

In routine governance actions the board approved a series of administrative delegations and fiscal procedures: setting mileage reimbursement at the Federal IRS rate; adopting meal reimbursement per the State of Minnesota Commissioners’ Plan; retaining the Star Post as the official newspaper; and naming Versa USA Bank Holdingford, MN Trust and the Minnesota School District Liquid Assets Fund (MSDLAF) as official depositories with the Superintendent and Business Manager authorized to make deposits. The board also authorized the use of facsimile board signatures on payroll and disbursement checks and named the district administrative assistant as the clerk’s designee for routine duties and election handling.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn at 6:53 p.m.; minutes were submitted by Clerk Evelyn Feia.