MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT APRIL 13, 2026
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on April 13, 2026. This meeting was advertised in the April 8th 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, and Paul Kuchar. Toby Thompson was absent. Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr, Principal Jeff Heimes, Principal Curtis Childers, five visitors, one staff member, two seniors and officers of the BCHS FFA program . The 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.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which included the April general fund bills that totaled $87,378.40. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Two patrons gave comments to the Board. Three BCHS FFA officers also made a presentation to the Board.
Mr. Luhr informed the Board of Legislative updates, including LB 1050, LB 803, LB 596, LB 820 and LB 824.
Mr. Luhr informed the Board of an update on the Mechanical/HVAC project with Daikin.
Mr Luhr discussed with the Board a provision to Policy 5416 Appendix 2 to allow members of student organizations to attend a national conference without qualifying for such conference. Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the provision to Policy 5416 Appendix 2 to allow members of student organizations to attend a national conference without qualifying for such conference. Bo Brummels seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the proposed Classified Wage Scale for 2026-27. Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the Classified Wage Scale for 2026-27. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr Luhr presented to the Board a proposed Sub Pay increase for the 2026-27 school year from $150.00 a day to $160.00 a day. Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the Sub Pay of $160.00 a day for the 2026-27 school year. Bo Brummels seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr discussed with the Board the use of $50,895.00 in REAP grant funds to be used to purchase chromebooks and ipads for the 2026-27 school year. Bo Brummels made a motion to approve the use of $50,895.00 of REAP grant funds to purchase chromebooks and ipads for the 2026-27 school year. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr recommended to the Board approval of 5 additional Option Enrollment requests for the 2026-27 school year. The requests include: 1 Kindergartener, 2 Fourth graders, 1 Fifth grader and 1 Eighth grader. Bo Brummels made a motion to approve the 5 Option Enrollment requests for the 2026-27 school year. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr recommended to the Board the denial of 2 Option Enrollment requests. Tom Leathers made a motion to enter a closed session at 6:43 P.M. to protect the privacy of the students’ information to discuss the 2 Option Enrollment requests. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll vote, motion carried with five ayes.
Bo Brummels made a motion to end the closed session at 6:49 P.M. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Tom Leathers made a motion to deny 2 Option Enrollment requests based on district policy, program capacity and not being able to meet the requirements of an IEP. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Comments were heard from the Principals and Superintendent.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 7:02 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education