MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT JANUARY 13, 2020
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on January 13h. This meeting was advertised in the January 8th 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. Brent Bode was absent. Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr, Principals Jeff Heimes and Kyle Finke, Seth Montag, Kylee McLean, Kolby Heller, two members of the BCEA, 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.
Mr. Luhr, Secretary of the Board of Education, assumed the chair from President Jeremy Pochop for the purpose of presiding during the election of the Board president. Secretary Jake Luhr then asked for nominations for president.
Lori Mink made a motion to nominate Jeremy Pochop for president of the Board of Education. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with four ayes. Jeremy Pochop abstained.
Jeremy Pochop then assumed the chair as president, and asked for nominations for vice president. Toby Thompson made a motion to nominate Lori Mink for vice president. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with four ayes. Lori Mink abstained.
The following Board positions were appointed:
Secretary – Jake Luhr
Treasurer – Jean Unkel
Recording Secretary – Ann Barry
Attorney – Scott Gray and Perry, Guthery, Haase, & Gessford, P.C., LLO
Newspaper – Battle Creek Enterprise
Depository – Battle Creek State Bank
Committee on American Civics – Bode, Mink, and Kuchar
Building & Grounds(Facilities) – Pochop, Thompson, and Bierman
Finance Committee – Bierman, Mink, and Kuchar
Negotiations Committee – Pochop, Bode, and Thompson
Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which included the January general fund bills which totaled $133,712.02. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Seth Montag, Business teacher, visited with the Board about the Find Your Genius competition which is a problem solving competition. Competitors throughout the state develop solutions to a problem and then receive feedback from an advisor. This was held in December. Kylee McLean and Hannah Maslonka’s solution won first place, and Kolby Heller and Slate Kraft’s solution received third place.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that the administration had a meeting Monday afternoon with
Community Building Solutions and the general contractors for the electrical and lighting improvements at the elementary and high school. Work will begin in about two weeks.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that the administration had a meeting with Daktronics regarding the scoreboards partnerships. The 7-12 administration will start scheduling appointments to secure partners over the next few weeks.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board our current Option Enrollment Policy and a new drafted policy. Both policies were presented to Justin Knight of Perry Law Firm. His recommendations for changes were also presented to the Board. Mr. Luhr will revise the Option Enrollment Policy and have it ready for its first reading at the February Board meeting.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the tentative 2020-21 school calendar. The board will review it and it will be approved at the February or March Board meeting.
Mr. Luhr discussed with the Board the transportation contract from Mid States School Bus Company. It was tabled until the February Board meeting or until exact increase costs can be provided by Mid States School Bus Company.
Lori Mink made a motion to approve the contract of Cyndi Rotter-Hansen, part-time Instructional Coach/Assessment Coordinator position for the second semester. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a draft of the RFP for the Strategic Planning Goal #1. The Board reviewed it. Mr. Luhr will make necessary changes, review it again with Joe Beckenhauer, and then have our attorney review it before bringing it back for Board approval at the April Board meeting.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to table the incomplete option enrollment form of Beckett Uecker until the February Board meeting. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the option request of Whitney Beckenhauer, kindergartner, for the 2020-21 school year. This request was based on available room at this time. Lori Mink seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Lori Mink made a motion to approve the option request of Brynn Schmidt, 7th grader, for the 2020-21 school year. This request was based on available room at this time. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Comments were heard from the Board, Principals, and Superintendent.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 6:47 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education