MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT SEPTEMBER 8, 2025
President Jeremy Pochop called the Annual Budget Hearing to order on Monday, September 8th at 5:45 P.M. to review and discuss the 2025-26 fiscal year budget for Battle Creek Public Schools. This hearing was advertised in the September 3rd edition of the Battle Creek Enterprise. Members present were Toby Thompson, Paul Kuchar, Tom Leathers, Tammy Bierman and Bo Brummels. Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr, Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers and a visitor. Superintendent Luhr presented an overview of the 2025-26 budget. No comments were made by the public. President Pochop closed the public hearing at 5:48 P.M.
President Jeremy Pochop called the Special Tax Request Hearing to order on Monday, September 8 at 5:48 P.M. to review and discuss the proposed tax requests for the 2025-26 fiscal year. This hearing was advertised in the September 3rd edition of the Battle Creek Enterprise. Members present were Toby Thompson, Paul Kuchar, Tom Leathers, Tammy Bierman and Bo Brummels. Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr, Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers and a visitor. Superintendent Luhr presented an overview of the dollars that are being requested for the school’s general fund, bond fund and special building fund. No comments were made by the public. President Pochop closed the public hearing at 5:53 P.M.
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on September 8, 2025. This meeting was advertised in the September 3rd 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 two 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.
Bo Brummels made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which included the September general fund bills that totaled $244,955.80. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr informed the Board with an update on the Daikin project. The Daikin representatives plan to attend the October meeting to present a scope of work and associated costs.
Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the proposed 2025-26 budget for Madison County School District #5, Battle Creek Public Schools, as published in the September 3rd edition of the Battle Creek Enterprise, which includes a General Fund Budget of $9,353,431; a Depreciation Fund budget of $723,000; an Employee Benefit Fund of $41,022; and Activities Fund budget of $410,000; a School Nutrition Fund budget of $597,027; a Bond Fund budget of $1,000,000; a Special Building Fund budget of $1,641,211; and a Student Fee Fund budget of $48,995. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
President Jeremy Pochop read the Property Tax Request Resolution No. 2526. Tom Leathers made a motion to approve the 2025-26 Tax Request Resolution No. 2526 for the General Fund in the amount of $5,075,072, the Bond Fund in the amount of $792,929, and the Special Building Fund in the amount of $450,000. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr discussed with the Board an invoice from ALICAP insurance for coverage for the 2025-26 school year in the amount of $146,718. This invoice was included in the September claims and approved in the Consent Agenda.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a purchase order for custodial supplies/paper products for the 2025-26 school year. The total cost is $21,016.62. Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the purchase order for custodial supplies in the amount of $21,016.62. Bo Brummels seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes. Toby Thompson abstained.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board information to request a RFP for vendor bidding to purchase new elementary desks. Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve publication of a RFP for vendor bidding to purchase new elementary desks. Bo Brummels seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented information from Mr. Billy O’Brien and the FFA program to purchase a yearling angus breeding heifer. Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the use of FFA funds for the purchase of a yearling angus for up to $12,000.00. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a letter from the BCEA to be recognized as the exclusive bargaining agent for the 2027-28 contract year. Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the BCEA to be the exclusive bargaining agent for the 2027-28 contract year. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Comments were heard from the Principals and Superintendent.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 6:40 PM.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education