MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT DECEMBER 9, 2019
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on December 9th. This meeting was advertised in the December 4th edition of the Battle Creek Enterprise. President Jeremy Pochop called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Members present were Lori Mink, Toby Thompson, Tammy Bierman, Paul Kuchar, and Brent Bode. Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr, Principals Jeff Heimes and Kyle Finke, Joe Beckenhauer, 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.
Lori Mink made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which included the December general fund bills which totaled $94,320.98. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr reviewed with the Board the three finance options from Jay Spearman of Piper Jaffray for the HVAC, controls, electrical and lighting improvements at the elementary and high school. Toby Thompson made the motion to approve finance Option 1, which is a three year payback and will need a total Special Building Fund levy of 5 cents based on this year’s valuation. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Lori Mink made a motion to approve the first payment out of the Special Building Fund in the amount of $132,242.00 to Community Building Solutions for the HVAC and lighting improvements at both schools. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr visited with the Board regarding a draft of the partnership levels that we are going to create for the new scoreboards. There will be more information at the January Board meeting.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a contract from Beckenhauer Construction to allow the Battle Creek school district to partner with Beckenhauer Construction to help with the selection of an architect to move forward with the Strategic Goal #1. Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the contract with Beckenhauer Construction in the amount of $3,605.00. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that negotiations with the BCEA were completed and presented to the Board a revised Master Contract for the 2020-2021 school year. Paul Kuchar made a motion to ratify the teachers Master Contract for the 2020-2021 school year. Lori Mink seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr visited with the Board about the possibility of adding a part time Instructional Coach/Assessment Coordinator position for the second semester. This position would oversee NSCAS testing and ACT testing as well as provide instructional support to our teachers in the form of lesson design, direct instruction, formative assessments, and summative assessments. Brent Bode made a motion to approve Mr. Luhr to move forward in hiring for the part time Instructional Coach/Assessment Coordinator for second semester. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Comments were heard from the Board, Principals, and Superintendent.
Lori Mink made a motion to go into executive session at 6:48 P.M., to discuss the superintendent contract for the 2020-2021 school year. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to come out of executive session at 7:03 P.M. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Brent Bode made a motion to increase the superintendent’s salary by 4.25% or $5,738 for his 2020-2021 contract. 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 7:06 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education