MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT FEBRUARY 10, 2025
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on February 10th. This meeting was advertised in the February 5th 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, Toby Thompson, Bo Brummels and Paul Kuchar. Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr, Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers, two visitors and three 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 February general fund bills that totaled $169,679.09. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board bids for replacing the phone systems in the elementary and high school. Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve Heartland Communications' bid to replace our existing premise based system with a new premise based system in the amount of $28,975.00. Bo Brummels seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr informed the Board on Legislative Updates.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board information from NDE Department of Financial Services for projected 2025-26 State Aid.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the master calendar for the 2025-26 school year. Tom Leathers made a motion to approve the master calendar for the 2025-26 school year. Toby Thompson 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 go into executive session at 6:28 P.M. to discuss the proposals for administrative salaries for the principals and the superintendent. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Tom Leathers made a motion to come out of executive session at 7:15 P.M. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Bo Brummels made a motion to increase the salaries of the Elementary Principal, 7-12 Principal and Superintendent by 3% for the 2025-26 school year. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 7:20 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education