MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT SEPTEMBER 9, 2024
President Jeremy Pochop called the Annual Budget Hearing to order on Monday, September 9th at 5:45 P.M. to review and discuss the 2024-25 fiscal year budget for Battle Creek Public Schools. This hearing was advertised in the September 4th edition of the Battle Creek Enterprise. Members present were Toby Thompson, Paul Kuchar, Tammy Bierman, Sean Lindgren and Tom Leathers. Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr, Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers and a visitor. Superintendent Jake Luhr presented an overview of the 2024-25 budget. No comments were made by the public. President Pochop closed the public hearing at 5:53 P.M.
President Jeremy Pochop called the Special Tax Request Hearing to order on Monday, September 9th at 5:53 P.M. to review and discuss the proposed tax requests for the 2024-25 fiscal year. This hearing was advertised in the September 4th edition of the Battle Creek Enterprise. Members present were Toby Thompson, Paul Kuchar, Tammy Bierman, Sean Lindgren and Tom Leathers. Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr, Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers and a visitor. Superintendent Jake Luhr presented an overview of the dollars that are being requested for the school’s general fund, bond fund and special building fund. No comments were made by the public. President Pochop closed the public hearing at 5:59 P.M.
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on September 9th. This meeting was advertised in the September 4th 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, Tom Leathers, and Paul Kuchar. Also, present were Superintendent Jake Luhr, Principals Jeff Heimes, Curtis Childers, and a 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.
Comments were heard from visitor Bill McAllister about the upcoming State Board of Education election.
Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which included the September general fund bills that totaled $$163,494.92. Tammy Bierman 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.
Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the proposed 2024-25 budget for Madison County School District #5, Battle Creek Public Schools, as published in the September 4th edition of the Battle Creek Enterprise, which included the General Fund budget of $9,098,662.00; a Depreciation Fund budget of $841,075.00; an Employee Fund Budget of $40,606.00; an Activities Fund budget of $400,000.00; a School Nutrition budget of $600,000.00; a Bond Fund budget of $1,000,000.00; a Special Building fund budget of $1,663,837.00; and a Student Fee Fund budget of $56,799.00. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
President Jeremy Pochop read the Property Tax Request Resolution No. 2425. Tom Leathers made a motion to approve the 2024-25 Tax Request Resolution No. 2425 for the General Fund in the amount of $5,280,379.00, the Bond Fund in the amount of $792,929.00, and the Special Building Fund in the amount of $101,010.00. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board an invoice from ALICAP insurance for coverage for the 2024-25 school year in the amount of $122,578.00. Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the invoice from ALICAP insurance for coverage for the 2024-25 school year in the amount of $122,578.00. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr discussed with the Board the need for an additional paraeducator at the elementary to cover student needs. Sean Lindgren made a motion to approve an additional paraeducator position at the elementary school. 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 Hausmann Construction for $32,500.00. Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the invoice from Hausmann Construction in the amount of $32,500.00 to be paid from the building fund. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
No invoice from CWP Architects was received for this month.
Comments were heard from the Principals and Superintendent.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 6:48 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education