MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT MARCH 10, 2025
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on March 10th. This meeting was advertised in the March 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, three representatives from Daikin Applied, two visitors and eleven 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 March general fund bills that totaled $83,996.07. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Three representatives from Daikin Applied presented to the board their Phase II preliminary assessment proposal. This was a no cost assessment of potential energy savings for the district. The Board will review the information and discuss moving forward at the April board meeting.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a 2025-26 Property Tax Authority Draft.
Mr. Luhr informed the Board on Legislative Updates.
Tom Leathers made a motion to approve the teacher resignation of Tiffany Campbell, Elementary Special Education teacher, effective at the end of the school year. Bo Brummels seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the teacher resignation of Tyler Prauner, Jr/Sr High School Social Studies teacher, effective at the end of the school year. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the teacher resignation of Cari McConnell, K-12 Library/Media Specialist teacher, effective at the end of the school year. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the board information on a staffing proposal for the 2025-26 school year. Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the hiring of an additional 1.0 FTE Special Education teacher for the 2025-26 School Year. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the new teacher contract for Marisa Bolin, Elementary Special Education teacher for the 2025-26 school year. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Bo Brummels made a motion to approve the new teacher contract for Andrew Erbst, Jr/Sr High School Social Studies/Environmental Science teacher for the 2025-26 school year. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board information on selling our old ipads from the elementary school. Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the sale of the old ipads from the elementary school. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a spreadsheet with 16 Option Enrollment requests to date for the 2025-26 school year. After discussion, the motions were as follows:
● William Staub - Motion to approve option enrollment for 2025-26 school year made by Tom Leathers, seconded by Paul Kuchar. Motion carried with six ayes.
● Brynlee Ruge - Motion to approve option enrollment for 2025-26 school year made by Toby Thompson, seconded by Tom Leathers. Motion carried with six ayes.
● Payton Schlote - Motion to approve option enrollment for the 2025-26 school year made by Bo Brummels, seconded by Toby Thompson. Motion carried with six ayes.
● Bently Brandl - Motion to approve option enrollment for 2025-26 school year made by Tom Leathers, seconded by Bo Brummels. Motion carried with six ayes.
● Brantley Maertins - Motion to approve option enrollment for 2025-26 school year made by Paul Kuchar, seconded by Toby Thompson. Motion carried with six ayes.
● Zayden Thramer - Motion to approve option enrollment for 2025-26 school year made by Tammy Bierman, seconded by Bo Brummels. Motion carried with six ayes.
● Addison Thramer - Motion to approve option enrollment for 2025-26 school year made by Bo Brummels, seconded by Tom Leathers. Motion carried with six ayes.
● Bryson Smutny - Motion to approve option enrollment for 2025-26 school year made by Tom Leathers, seconded by Paul Kuchar. Motion carried with six ayes.
● Jack Jessen - Motion to approve option enrollment for 2025-26 school year made by Toby Thompson, seconded by Bo Brummels. Motion carried with six ayes.
● Barrett Prauner - Motion to deny option enrollment for 2025-26 school year made by Toby Thompson, seconded by Bo Brummels. This denial was based on District Policy 5006 and not having the capacity or resources to meet the needs of the applicant. Motion carried with six ayes.
● Spencer Prauner - Motion to deny option enrollment for 2025-26 school year made by Paul Kuchar, seconded by Tom Leathers. This denial was based on District Policy 5006 and not having the capacity or resources to meet the needs of the applicant. Motion carried with six ayes.
● Aceley Hoff - Motion to approve option enrollment for 2025-26 school year made by Bo Brummels, seconded by Toby Thompson. Motion carried with six ayes.
● Jackson Stortz - Motion to deny option enrollment for 2025-26 school year made by Tom Leathers, seconded by Toby Thompson. This denial was based on District Policy 5006 and not having the capacity or resources to meet the needs of the applicant. Motion carried with six ayes.
● Jye Jones - Motion to approve option enrollment for 2025-26 school year made by Paul Kuchar, seconded by Tom Leathers. Motion carried with six ayes.
● Jovi Jones - Motion to approve option enrollment for 2025-26 school year made by Toby Thompson, seconded by Bo Brummels. Motion carried with six ayes.
● Ginger Huttman - Motion to deny option enrollment for 2025-26 school year made by Bo Brummels, seconded by Toby Thompson. This denial was based on District Policy 5006 and not having the capacity or resources to meet the needs of the applicant. Motion carried with five ayes. Paul Kuchar abstained.
Comments were heard from the Principals and Superintendent.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 7:36PM.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education