Detroit Lakes School Board Elects New Officers for 2026

The Detroit Lakes School Board has appointed new officers for 2026 during its organizational meeting held on January 5, 2026. John Steffl retains his position as chairman, while Mary Rotter continues as vice chairman. Additionally, Michelle Okeson and Julie Smith-Yliniemi have been re-elected as treasurer and secretary, respectively.

The election of board officers was not without contention. Board member Sandy Nelson, who participated in the meeting virtually, nominated Okeson for the vice chairman position alongside Rotter. Ultimately, Rotter secured re-election in a closely contested vote.

Meeting Schedule and Compensation Review

As part of the meeting, the board established its regular meeting schedule for 2026. The meetings will occur on the following dates: January 26, February 23, March 23, April 27, May 18, June 22, July 27, August 24, September 28, October 26, November 23, and December 14. All gatherings will take place at the Detroit Lakes City Council chambers located at City Hall, 1025 Roosevelt Ave. Meetings will begin at 5:30 p.m., except during the summer months of June through August, when they will start at 7 a.m.

The board also considered a motion to maintain meeting compensation at previous levels: $200 per day for regular meetings and $60 per day for events attended as board representatives. A query from Smith-Yliniemi prompted further discussion on the need to review these rates. She expressed concern regarding the adequacy of compensation for lengthy meeting commitments, particularly for negotiations committee meetings that can extend for 7-8 hours.

This discussion led the board to refer the compensation issue to the district’s policy committee. As a result, the final decision regarding salary rates for 2026 will be postponed until the committee has completed its review.

Committee Assignments and Future Plans

During the meeting, Steffl encouraged board members to assess their current committee assignments and submit any proposed changes prior to the January 26 meeting. This approach aims to finalize committee roles and ensure an effective governance structure moving forward.

The organizational meeting concluded with a clear roadmap for the board’s activities in 2026, reflecting a commitment to transparency and accountability in its operations.