MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT DECEMBER 11, 2023
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on December 11th. This meeting was advertised in the December 6th 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, Jenni Frey, Cody Wintz, and 5 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 $124,528.13. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mrs. Frey presented to the Board Battle Creek Public Schools achievement data from 2022-23 school year and reviewed the handouts with the Board.
Mr. Luhr updated the Board on the construction project at the elementary and the high school.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that he had obtained more information on JAG program, which is Jobs for America’s Graduates. After reviewing the information with the Board, it was decided not to pursue joining the JAG program at this time.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that he had received a letter from Faith Regional Health Services, that they will no longer be providing athletic training services to area schools effective at the end of the 2023-24 school year. The administration is looking into other options and will keep the Board informed of what is happening.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that Kelly Claussen of Stadium Sports has asked to purchase our old pole vault pit for $2,000.00. Sean Lindgren made a motion that we sell the old pole vault pit to Stadium Sports for $2,000.00. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a Building Fund invoice from Hausmann Construction. The invoice was in the amount of $557,958.75 for construction services rendered through November 30th. Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the Building Fund invoice from Hausmann Construction for $557,958.75. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a Building Fund invoice from Carlson West Povondra Architects in the amount of $5,657.06 for professional services through November 30th. Sean Lindgren made a motion to approve the Building Fund invoice from CWP Architects for $5,657.06. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a Building Fund invoice from Mid-State Engineering & Testing in the amount of $3,925.00 for construction testing services through October 31st. Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the Building Fund invoice from Mid-State Engineering & Testing for $3,925.00. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that the Board negotiations committee and representatives of the BCEA met on December 6th to discuss changing the release from contract date from April 15th to March 15th. After discussion, the BCEA representatives said they would take the information back to the other members of the BCEA to discuss the proposal with them and would let Mr. Luhr know of their decision.
Comments were heard from the Board, Principals, and Superintendent.
Sean Lindgren made a motion to go into executive session at 6:59 P.M. to discuss the 2024-25 administrative salaries for the principals and the superintendent. Toby Thompsons seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Toby Thompson made a motion to come out of executive session at 7:18 PM. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Sean Lindgren made a motion to increase the superintendent’s salary by 2.75% for the 2024-25 school year for a salary of $156,105. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes and one nay.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to increase the secondary principal’s salary by 2.75% for the 2024-25 school year for a salary of $121,940. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes and one nay.
Tom Leathers made a motion to increase the elementary principal’s salary by 2.75% for the 2024-25 school year for a salary of $99,016. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes and one nay.
The Board completed the superintendent evaluation with Mr. Luhr. President Pochop will finalize the evaluation and review it with Superintendent Luhr before December 31, 2023.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 8:18 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education