MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT MARCH 13, 2023
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on March 13th. This meeting was advertised in the March 8th 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, Paul Kuchar, and Tom Leathers. Also, present were Superintendent Jake Luhr and Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers, 6 seniors, and two visitors. 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 $145,575.29. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a pay app from Hausmann Construction for the upcoming construction project, which the Board reviewed and discussed. He also let the Board know that he had a meeting with Hausmann Construction on March 9th to discuss the project.
Mr. Luhr discussed with the Board the legislative update on bills that are being discussed and debated by the legislature.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a bill from NASB for $4,417, which is for the 2023-24 annual membership dues. He also discussed with the Board the benefits offered with being a member of the NASB. Sean Lindgren made a motion to approve the bill from NASB for $4,417.00 for the 2023-24 annual membership dues. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a copy of Policy 6600 Special Education. Mr. Childers explained in more detail about the processes and procedures that were developed based on our current Policy 6600.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a preliminary draft of our projected state aid for next year.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board three bids for third party testing which is a requirement for our upcoming construction project. The three bids were from Mid-State Engineering, CTS, and Olsson. After discussion, Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the bid from Mid-State Engineering for third party testing. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr discussed with the Board builders risk insurance for the upcoming construction project. Tammy Bierman then reviewed with the Board some preliminary figures for the additional builders’ risk insurance.
Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the resignation letter of Judy Dohmen, elementary SPED teacher, with regrets and appreciation of Judy’s 21 years of service to Battle Creek Public Schools. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented two Building Fund invoices from CWP(Carlson West Povondra Architects) in the amounts of $33,666.09 and $16,072.50 for services rendered. Tom Leathers made a motion to approve the two Building Fund invoices from CWP for $33,666.09 and $16,072.50. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr discussed with the board the Certificates of Deposit that we have Midwest Bank and Elkhorn Valley Bank. Mr. Luhr will check into options offered with higher interest rates.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a service agreement with Daikin for continued service for our HVAC equipment from 03/01/2023 through 02/29/2024 in the amount of $3,912.00. Paul Kuchar made a motion to renew the agreement of our service agreement with Daikin for $3,912.00 from 03/01/23 through 02/29/24. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Comments were heard from the Board, Principals, and Superintendent.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 7:05 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education