MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT APRIL 8, 2024
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on April 8th. This meeting was advertised in the April 3rd edition of the Battle Creek Enterprise. President Jeremy Pochop called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Members present were Toby Thompson, Paul Kuchar, Tammy Bierman, Tom Leathers and Sean Lindgren. Also, present were Superintendent Jake Luhr, Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers, two seniors, Cody Wintz, Bryan Flansburg and one visitor. 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.
Tom Leathers made a motion to approve Abbie Freudenburg as the recording secretary for the remainder of the year. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which included the April general fund bills that totaled $111,434.72. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr updated the Board on the construction projects at the elementary and the high school.
Mr. Luhr gave a Legislative update. He discussed two bills, LB 388 and LB 1331, and the impact they could have on the district if passed.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve switching our insurance carrier to ALICAP for all coverages effective May 1st, 2024. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes. Tammy Bierman abstained.
The Board took no action on the requested BCEA changes to the 24-25 Master Contract due to being in the middle of a two-year negotiated agreement. The requested changes will be considered when negotiations open in the fall of 2024.
Bryan Flansburg from First Student spoke to the board about the options for our First Student contract. After a question-and-answer session, the board took no action on the First Student contract. It will be revisited at the May 2024 Board meeting.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board two Building Fund invoices from Hausmann Construction in the amounts of $202,481.00 for construction services rendered through March 31st and $58,499.73 for retainage. Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the two Building Fund invoices from Hausmann Construction for a combined total of $260,980.73. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a Building Fund invoice from CWP Architects in the amount of $3,609.85 for professional services through March 31, 2024. Sean Lindgren made a motion to approve the Building Fund invoice from CWP Architects for $3,609.85. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Sean Lindgren made a motion to deny the option request for Hunter DeLanoit for the 2024-25 school year. This request was denied based on District Policy 5006. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Comments were heard from the Principals and Superintendent.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to enter Closed Session at 7:19 P.M. to discuss adding an athletic trainer position for 2024-25 and to discuss an increase in the 2024-25 Classified Employee Wage Scale. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote the motion carried with six ayes.
Sean Lindgren made a motion to end Closed Session at 7:41 P.M. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Sean Lindgren made a motion to add an athletic trainer position for the 2024-25 school year. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote the motion carried with six ayes. Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the recommended increases for the 2024-25 Classified Wage Scale and benefits. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with 5 ayes. Toby Thompson abstained.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 7:43 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education