MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT DECEMBER 12, 2024
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on December 12th. This meeting was advertised 48 hours prior to the meeting at the Battle Creek Post Office, White Star, and on the District website/social media. President Jeremy Pochop called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Members present were Tammy Bierman, Tom Leathers, Toby Thompson, Sean Lindgren and Paul Kuchar. Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr, Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers, staff member Jenni Frey, future board member Bo Brummels, and six 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 December general fund bills that totaled $148,132.35. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes. Tom Leathers abstained.
Mr. Luhr updated the Board on the request for proposal (RFP) for security cameras. The Building and Grounds committee met on December 4, 2024 and reviewed proposals from Heartland Communications and Priority Communications. Mr. Luhr has requested more information from these vendors to be reviewed at the January 2025 meeting.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board information to lease a tractor from Marx Equipment for $5,000.00 per year at 150 hours per year. Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the lease of a tractor from Marx Repair for $5,000.00 per year at 150 hours per year. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. The motion carried with four ayes and one nay. Toby Thompson abstained.
Mr. Luhr informed the Board of his intention to move forward with an initial assessment of the district’s facilities, mechanical equipment & HVAC with Daikin Energy at no cost to the school.
Mr. Luhr informed the Board of his intent to not install an acoustic curtain in the gym at this time.
Mrs. Jenni Frey presented to the Board the District Data Report for 2023-24.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the revised BCPS Industrial Tech Standards. Tom Leathers made a motion to approve the revised BCPS Industrial Tech Standards. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the revised BCPS Science Standards. Tom Leathers made a motion to approve the revised BCPS Science Standards. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a memo from Justin Knight of Perry Law, our school attorney, with required updates to Policy 3132. Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the updates to Policy 3132 as recommended by the Perry Law Firm. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a request to sell two old wire welders and two old stick welders that Billy O’Brien no longer uses in his classes. Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the sale of two stick welders for $300.00 (each) and two wire welders for $900.00 (each). Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr informed the Board of his intent to get cost estimates for replacing the phone systems at the elementary and high school. Mr. Luhr plans on presenting these cost estimates to the board in January.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a negotiated settlement between the board and the BCEA for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years. The two year settlement has a total compensation increase of 5.69%. Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the negotiated settlement. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote the motion carried with six ayes.
Comments were heard from the Principals and Superintendent.
Tom Leathers made a motion to go into executive session at 6:43 P.M. to discuss the Superintendent Evaluation. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to come out of executive session at 7:12 P.M. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
No board action was taken as a result of the executive session.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 7:12 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education