MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT JUNE 10, 2019
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on June 10th. This meeting was advertised in the June 5th edition of the Battle Creek Enterprise. President Jeremy Pochop called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Members present were Lori Mink, Tammy Bierman, Paul Kuchar, Brent Bode, and Toby Thompson. Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr, Principals Jeff Heimes and Kyle Finke, and a visitor. The open meeting law 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 June general fund bills which totaled $126,494.09. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr discussed with the Board the HVAC and lighting system for both schools, and advised them that a decision should be made on which company to partner with so more detailed plans can be developed. Lori Mink made a motion to partner with Community Building Solutions for the HVAC and lighting improvements to the elementary and high school. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr discussed with the Board the State Aid preliminary figures for the 2019-20 school year, and advised them that State Aid would be down $40,246.00.
Mr. Luhr reviewed with the Board the Annual Safety Audit that was completed in May by Larry Hiatt. No major concerns were noted in the report.
Mr. Luhr reviewed with the Board bill LB 399, which is referred to as the Committee on American Civics bill because of its requirements regarding American history and civics instruction in the classroom. The new bill LB 399 will become effective during the 2019-20 school year, and will require schools to be in compliance with the new law. Lori Mink made a motion to change the name from Curriculum/Americanism Committee to the Committee on American Civics and that our Board will be in compliance with the new law and all changes that come with it. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr discussed with the Board LB 103, which is one of the first bills signed into law during the 2019 legislative session. Under LB 103, if a school district or ESU collects more in property taxes in the following year than it collected in the current year, then the school district or ESU must follow LB 103’s requirements on publishing a third hearing to show this growth at the September Board meeting.
Mr. Luhr discussed with the Board the 2019-20 activity prices, and advised the Board that he thought it would be a good idea to increase them to keep up with some of the surrounding area towns. Our current prices are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students/children. Tammy Bierman made a motion to increase the activity prices for the 2019-20 school year to $6.00 for adults and $4.00 for students/children in grades K-12. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Comments were heard from the Board, Principals, and Superintendent. President Jeremy Pochop reminded the Board that the July Board meeting would be on July 15th instead of July 8th.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 6:46 p.m.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education