MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT JULY 14 2025
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on July 14th 2025. This meeting was advertised in the July 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, Bo Brummels, Toby Thompson and Paul Kuchar. Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr, Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers and three visitors. 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 July general fund bills that totaled $118,311.11. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
A patron gave public comment to the board.
Mr. Luhr updated the Board on the Daikin project. The Daikin representatives gave us two options for replacement/updating the mechanical equipment. Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the Daikin representatives to move forward with Option 2 in the replacement/updating of the mechanical equipment. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion was carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board an amendment to the 2025-2026 Master Contract to remove Article III Section A under Association Rights titled Payroll Deduction of Dues. Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the amendment to the 2025-2026 Master Contract to remove Article III Section A under Association Rights titled Payroll Deduction of Dues. Bo Brummels seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion was carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board policy reviews of 5415 Anti-Bullying, 5008 Student Attendance, 5417 Wellness, and 6370 Multicultural Education. The Board reviewed these policies with no recommended changes to any of the existing policies.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the 2025-26 Elementary and 7-12 Student Handbooks with updates to both from Mr. Childers and Mr. Heimes. Bo Brummels made a motion to approve the 2025-26 Elementary and 7-12 Student Handbooks. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the 2025-26 Certified Handbook. Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the 2025-26 Certified Handbook. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the 2025-26 Classified Handbook. Tom Leathers made a motion to approve the 2025-26 Classified Handbook. Bo Brummels seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board information about our school lunch program. Bo Brummels made a motion to approve a $75,000.00 transfer from the General Fund to the Hot Lunch Fund. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board information about breakfast and lunch prices. Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the following increases:
PK-6 Breakfast by $0.50 to $2.35
7-12 Breakfast by $0.50 to $2.50
Adult Breakfast by $0.50 to $2.75
PK-6 Lunch by $0.75 to $3.50
7-12 Lunch by $0.75 to $3.75
Adult Lunch by $0.50 to $5.00
Extra Entree by $0.50 to $2.00
Milk by $0.10 to $0.60
Juice Elementary by $0.25 to $1.00
Juice 7-12 by $0.25 to $1.25
Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Public Hearing was held on Policy 5416, Student Fees. No public comment was heard. The hearing closed.
Mr. Luhr recommended changes to Appendix 1 of Student Fees Policy:
Update breakfast/lunch prices as stated above
Increase Activity Passes: Student Activity Pass from $10 to $15; Adult Activity Pass from $50 to $75; Senior Citizen Pass from $35 to $50
Increase the maximum cost for entrance to a school dance from $10 to $20
Eliminate the summer school courses as we do not offer these
Increase cost for copies from $0.10 per page to $0.25 per page
Increase the preschool fee from $50 per month to $60 per month
Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the changes to Appendix 1 of Student Fees Policy. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr discussed Appendix 2 of the Student Fees Policy regarding the ability of non-qualifying individuals attending state/national competitions with the group. No board action was taken.
Mr. Luhr updated the Board on the results of the online bidding auction and the removal/addition of the championship banners.
Comments were heard from the Principals and Superintendent.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 7:20 PM.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education