MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT MAY 13, 2024
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on May 13th. This meeting was advertised in the May 8th edition of the Battle Creek Enterprise. President Jeremy Pochop called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Members present were Tammy Bierman, Tom Leathers and Sean Lindgren. Also, present were Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers, Jenni Frey, and visitor Sheri Becker from the Nebraska Association of School Boards. Members absent were Paul Kuchar and Toby Thompson. 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.
Sean Lindgren made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which included the May general fund bills that totaled $124,310.24. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with four 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 LB 388 and LB 1331. Neither of these bills passed. Other updates were discussed and will be reviewed and adopted over the summer.
Jenni Frey, the district Curriculum, Assessment, and School Improvement coordinator spoke to the board about recent survey data from students, staff, and parents.
Jenni Frey presented to the Board the new K-6 computer science standards and 9-12 computer science standards. These are mandated by state law and go into effect for the 2024-2025 school year. Tom Leathers made a motion to approve the new K-6 computer science standards and 9-12 computer science standards for the 2024-2025 school year. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with four ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a draft letter to Cognia informing them that Battle Creek Public School is going to move to the Nebraska Department of Education’s Frameworks model for school improvement. Sean Lindgren made a motion to approve the transition from Cognia to the Nebraska Department of Education’s Frameworks model for school improvement. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with four ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board an RFP for transportation services. Sean Lindgren made a motion to approve publishing the public notification and for the RFP. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with four ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a service contract for Alberio (HVAC) for the buildings. Sean Lindgren made a motion to approve the multi-year service contract with Alberio (HVAC) for the buildings. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with four ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board an estimate for replacing 20-year-old HVAC controls and software from Alberio for $19,650.00. Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve using Depreciation Funds and the estimate from Alberio for $19,650.00 to replace HVAC controls and software . Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with four ayes.
Mr. Luhr requested Board approval to amend the 2022-2023 Audited Financial Report to code the math curriculum purchase of $159,799.00 to ESSER III in the General Fund. The amendment will decrease the General Fund and increase the Depreciation Fund by $159,799.00. Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the amendment of the 2022-2023 Audited Financial Report. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with four ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a purchase order for $9,152.32 to replace two depreciated floor machines and a purchase order for $9,459.18 to replace the oldest lawn mower. In total, $18,611.50 in Depreciation Funds would be used to replace the depreciated maintenance equipment. Sean Lindgren made a motion to approve the Depreciation Fund expenditure of $18,611.50 for the replacement of the depreciated maintenance equipment. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with four ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board six furniture bids for the Ag and Art classroom, three bids for each classroom. After reviewing the bids, Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the purchases from Eakes Office Supplies for $11,732.64 for the Ag classroom and $8,481.02 for the Art classroom from the Building Fund. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion was carried with four ayes.
Mr. Luhr discussed the annual Rule 10 Safety Audit/Visit. There were minor items that will be addressed, but overall, our school buildings were considered very safe.
Mr. Luhr requested consideration for raising the school credit card limit from $5,000.00 to $15,000.00. After recent issues with booking flights and hotel rooms for students and sponsors who have qualified for national competitions, this increase would eliminate the need to reimburse staff or families. Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the increase of the school credit card limit from $5,000.00 to $15,000.00. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion was carried with four ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented two bids for the parking lot and sports complex concrete. A motion was made by Tom Leathers to table further discussion of the two bids for parking lot and sports complex concrete until the June Board meeting. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with four ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board two Building Fund invoices from Hausmann Construction in the amounts of $107,189.00 for construction services rendered through April 30th and $75,000.00 for retainage. Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the two Building Fund invoices from Hausmann Construction for a combined total of $182,189.00. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with four ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a Building Fund invoice from CWP Architects in the amount of $4,512.32 for professional services through April 30, 2024. Sean Lindgren made a motion to approve the Building Fund invoice from CWP Architects for $4,512.32. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with four ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the board a request to hire an additional paraeducator position for the 2024-25 school year due to increased enrollment in the 7-12 building. Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the hiring of an additional paraeducator for the 2024-25 school year. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with four ayes.
Mr. Luhr discussed the Educational Products & Services Agreement. No board action was taken regarding this agreement.
Comments were heard from the Board and Principals.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 7:39 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education