MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT APRIL 14, 2025
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on April 14th. This meeting was advertised in the April 9th edition of the Battle Creek Enterprise. President Jeremy Pochop called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Members present were Tammy Bierman, Tom Leathers, Toby Thompson, Bo Brummels and Paul Kuchar. Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr, Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers, two representatives from Daikin Applied, two visitors and eleven 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.
Tom Leathers made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which included the April general fund bills that totaled $151,915.76. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Two representatives from Daikin Applied presented to the Board information on their Phase II - Project Development Agreement. Bo Brummels made a motion to move forward with the Phase II Project Development Agreement with Daikin. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote the motion carried with 6 ayes.
Mr. Luhr informed the Board on Legislative Updates.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the Rule 10 Safety Audit report.
Mr. Luhr informed the Board that the option enrollment application received before the March 15th deadline was not eligible for consideration since the student is currently option enrolled into another district. No board action was taken.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a purchase order for 4 years of I-Ready Math - Elementary workbooks for $5,333.24. Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the purchase order of 4 years of I-Ready Math - Elementary workbooks for $5,333.24. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr recommended to the Board the use of $55,627.00 in REAP grant funds to purchase chromebooks for the 2025-26 school year. Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the use of $55,627.00 in REAP grant funds to purchase chromebooks for the 2025-26 school year. Bo Brummels seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the new teacher contract for Kayla Herfel, Elementary/Secondary Special Education teacher for the 2025-26 school year. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the new teacher contract for Liz Baber, K-12 Library/Media Specialist for the 2025-26 school year. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the administrator contracts for Jake Luhr, Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers for the 2025-26 school year. Bo Brummels made a motion to approve the 2025-26 school year contracts for Jake Luhr, Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the top three goals developed from the recent strategic planning meetings. Tom Leathers made a motion to approve the three goals developed from the strategic planning meetings. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr discussed with the Board replacing the material in the shot put pit with new material as the current material has not settled like it was supposed to.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board bids for replacing/adding concrete to several areas at the high school and sports complex. This was tabled until the May meeting.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board information on current classified staff wages & benefits and a recommendation for increases to the classified wage scale for the 2025-26 school year. Bo Brummels made a motion to raise the base hourly wage by $1.00 per hour for the 2025-26 classified wage scale. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes. Toby Thompson abstained.
Comments were heard from the Principals and Superintendent.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 7:03PM.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education