The Paul Bunyan Education Cooperative is an organization of areas school districts that have joined together to compliment and expand existing educational opportunities.
In an educational environment that is constantly changing, it is difficult for individual school districts to provide specific programming in all areas of need. By joining together, the PBEC is able to offer programming that would otherwise be difficult and costly while allowing school districts to maintain their individuality.
The educational services PBEC provides are supported through federal, state, and local school funds. Additional fees are not charged for participants in any program.
Is to empower member school districts to provide needed services to students with disabilities. To provide parents and teachers of students with disabilities high quality technical assistance, staff development activities and support services enabling students with disabilities to benefit from their education.
Member districts created and joined together in an educational cooperative pursuant to Minnesota Statute 471.59 and other applicable statutes for the purpose of enlarging and enriching the learning opportunities in special education and to provide cooperative agreements that enhance opportunities for students in member districts, as well as opportunities for school districts to pursue common efficiencies in their delivery of educational services.
**The Joint Powers Agreement was voted on and approved by all member school boards during the Spring of 2013**
The control and management of the Paul Bunyan Education Cooperative is vested in a Board of Delegates, which shall consist of one delegate from each member school district.
The Board of Delegates shall have one regular yearly meeting and special meetings at times and places established by the board for resolutions.
As a Delegate you will become the representative on your local school board that ensures the quality, integrity and efficiency of the Paul Bunyan Education Cooperative.
As a Delegate you will have a deeper understanding of special education and how the PBEC meets the unique needs of the special learners within your school district.
As a Delegate you will have broader knowledge of special education federal and state legislation. You will learn about the mandates that drive the direction of special education. You will learn about federal and state funding and how this impacts your local school district.
As a Delegate, you will work with your District's Superintendent to ensure that the needs of the special education students and staff in your district are being met by the PBEC.
The Board of Delegates shall have all powers granted by statute or otherwise which are necessary or expedient to accomplish the purpose of the Joint Powers Agreement.
In addition to general powers, and not in limitation, the Board of Delegates shall have the following powers:
The Board of Delegates shall establish, and from time to time amend, suitable by-laws for the Paul Bunyan Education Cooperative, which are consistent with the Joint Powers Agreement by a two-thirds vote of the full membership of the board.
| Garny Gaffey (Pine River Backus) | Bob Sandin (Crosby-Ironton) |
| Mike Erholtz (Pequot Lakes) | Tom Haglin (Brainerd) |
| Cindi Hills (Aitkin) | Scott Mudgett (Pillager) |
| Alternates: | |
| Tom Nixon | Valorie Wallin |
| Shawn Hunstad |
The superintendents of the member districts shall constitute the Executive Board to the Paul Bunyan Education Cooperative.
The executive board shall meet at least four times per year at times and places established by resolution or by-laws of the Executive Board. Notice of meetings shall be consistent with requirements of the Minnesota Open Meeting Law.
| Brad Kelvington (Aitkin) | Laine Larson (Brainerd) |
| Jamie Skjevland (Crosby-Ironton) | Chris Lindholm (Pequot Lakes) |
| Mike Malmberg (Pillager) | Dave Endicott (Pine River-Backus) |
The Executive Board shall act as the administrating board of the Paul Bunyan Education cooperative and is generally empowered to:
The Executive Board may adopt policy and guidelines for the operation of each of the educational enterprises in which PBEC engages. Policies and guidelines may contain:
The Executive Board shall establish terms and conditions of employment of all staff subject to the following:
Executive Board shall have all the functions essential and necessary to the administration of the PBEC including the recruitment, supervision, assignment of all personnel, and the recommendation for employment and termination of licensed personnel.
The Executive Board shall be responsible for the management of the fiscal affairs related to the operation of the PBEC and in such capacity shall pay bills, issue all payroll checks and receive all monies for the PBEC.
The Executive Board shall make all reports as are necessary to the state and other agencies and shall file all claims for reimbursement and for state and federal funds.
The Executive Board shall invoice each of the signatory members regularly for its pro-rata share of the operating costs of the PBEC.