122 Washburn Ave E
Backus, MN 56435

I have attended school and worked in this district, however I have more experience in the elementary level. Recently, both elementary and high school received new principals, and a new superintendent as well. I have already seen more good come from this. The small community is very involved with the school and vice versa. I cannot verify whether the previous letter (2010) was factual at the time, but I can assure you now that it is completely inaccurate. This district is a great place for students and faculty.

Parents BEWARE... I was a very active parent volunteer. The good: The school is a very nice updated & modern facility. The sports program all though limited is very good. Most teachers are mostly good to excellent in the elementary school (K-12 is all one building) The bad: Elementary school HAD some wonderful teachers & still have a handful of wonderful teachers. The principle is selectively getting rid of the (old school) teachers & bringing in her new (i mean fresh out of college) teachers strictly because of money & intimidation factor (opinion). Don't get me wrong, to bring in SOME inexperience teachers is good, but not all, I mean over 8 teachers in the past 2 yrs. in elementary alone. The new teacher s classrooms are very chaotic, no discipline. We are now classified as a Title I. Less than a handful of gifted student programs but plenty of money & programs for challenged children which isn't a terribly bad thing, but moneys should be better divided equally into multiple levels. Bullying is a problem. They talk the talk, but not walk the walk. Bottom line is if you have an average to above average child, please do your own research before you choose Pine River/Backus.