Pines board remains unchanged during annual reorganization

The Northland Pines Board of Education held its regular monthly meeting last week and the first major topic addressed was the annual reorganization process.

As required by Wisconsin state law, the board must elect a president, vice president, treasurer, and clerk on, or within 30 days after, the fourth Monday in April each year. Based on votes of members present in the meeting, the board composition will remain with Jennifer Payne, Chris Petreikis, Becky Nordine and Erica Lane holding their current positions.

This core group of board members have served together for the past five years and their positions have been confirmed each year through annual voting. While Payne was not present at the meeting, she prepared a written statement of her intent to accept any nomination to remain in the president role. The board then voted unanimously on the individual selections of Payne as president, Petreikis as vice president, Nordine as treasurer, and Lane as clerk.
In her written statement, Payne also confirmed that if she is voted to continue as president, she would propose keeping committee assignments unchanged. In addition, she stated her intention of remaining as the delegate for the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, with Petreikis as the alternate delegate.

She also proposed that Nick Seeger continue in his current role as Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association representative, and that Petreikis will continue as the CESA representative.

In a related matter outside of the board meeting, the Northland Pines Board of Canvassers held a meeting earlier in the month to verify votes in the 2026 spring public election for board members whose terms were expiring. The Board of Canvassers confirmed that Payne, Petreikis, and Chelsea Romaker were on ballots unopposed and received near 100% of public votes in their respective areas. Lane, Nordine, Seeger and Paul Uebe have terms that expire in 2027 and 2028.

In other business at the regular meeting, members of the Northland Pines boys hockey team were on hand to present information to the board and to share their recent trophy following a WIAA Division 2 State Championship season.

The meeting room was filled with family and friends as Lane read a formal proclamation of congratulations and best wishes to the team. The school board then voted unanimously to approve the proclamation and the room responded with a loud round of applause.

This was the first championship season for the boys hockey team in 36 years and district administrator Scott Foster commented about the achievement.
“When our players put on a Pines jersey or hockey sweatshirt,” he said, “that should mean something. This team proved that by representing our community, our school, their families, and themselves, with class and dignity. They are exciting to watch, and they are fine young men as well.”

Following a review of administrative and district manager reports, the regular meeting adjourned early to reconvene in a closed setting.

The next open board meeting is scheduled to occur on Monday, May 18, at 6 p.m. in the large group instruction room at Northland Pines High School.