MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT NOVEMBER 13, 2023
The committee on American Civics held a meeting at 5:45 P.M. Taylor Baumert visited with the committee about how our current social studies classes are meeting the requirements of Americanism and some of the projects he is doing with the students. The next meeting with the committee on American Civics will be held before the June 2024 Board meeting.
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on November 13th. This meeting was advertised in the November 8th edition of the Battle Creek Enterprise. President Jeremy Pochop called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Members present were Toby Thompson, Tammy Bierman, Sean Lindgren, and Tom Leathers. Paul Kuchar was absent. Also, present were Superintendent Jake Luhr and Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers, and 4 seniors. The new open meeting law poster was discussed and posted and will be followed at every Board meeting. To start the Board meeting, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which included the November general fund bills that totaled $111,192.57. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr updated the Board on the construction project at the elementary and the high school.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board information on JAG which is Jobs for America’s Graduates. The program is offered to schools by the United Way, and is free for the first two years, and then costs $10,000.00 per year after that. The program focuses on teaching job skills, leadership skills, and communication skills for students. Toby Thompson made a motion to table their decision on the JAG program until the December Board meeting to allow Mr. Luhr to obtain more information on this program from other schools already working with this program.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that he had met with the technology director from ESU #8, and he informed Mr. Luhr that our school district had been approved for $79,145.42 for E-Rate funds. These rates are split 60/40, with 60% from E-Rate and 40% from district funds. Sean Lindgren made a motion to utilize the E-Rate funds and the district’s expenditure of 40%. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented and reviewed with the Board the 2022-2023 Annual Financial Report prepared by our auditors, MDT, LLC. Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the Annual Financial Report for the 2022-23 school year. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr discussed with the Board the staffing needs for the 2024-25 school year, and the possibility of hiring one additional teacher in the high school to teach social studies and possibly science for grades 7th through 9th. Sean Lindgren made a motion to approve the hiring of an additional teacher in the high school to teach social studies and possibly science for 7th through 9th grades. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a Building Fund invoice from Hausmann Construction. The invoice was in the amount of $670,487.20 for construction services rendered through October 31st. Sean Lindgren made a motion to approve the Building Fund invoice from Hausmann Construction for $670,487.20. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a Building Fund invoice from Mid-State Engineering & Testing in the amount of $969.50 for construction testing services through September 30th. Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the Building Fund invoice from Mid-State Engineering & Testing for $969.50. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a Building Fund invoice from Carlson West Povondra Architects in the amount of $9,254.45 for professional services through September 30th. Tom Leathers made a motion to approve the Building Fund invoice from CWP Architects for $9,254.45. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a letter he had drafted to the BCEA requesting a meeting to discuss and possibly change the date for release from a teacher’s contract from April 15th to March 15th. Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the letter to the BCEA requesting a meeting to change the date for release from a teacher’s contract from April 15th to March 15th. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote the motion carried with five ayes.
Comments were heard from the Board, Principals, and Superintendent.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 7:15 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education