MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT August 11, 2020
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on August 10th. This meeting was advertised in the August 5th edition of the Battle Creek Enterprise. President Jeremy Pochop called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Members present were Lori Mink, Tammy Bierman, Toby Thompson, and Brent Bode. Paul Kuchar was absent. Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr and Principals Jeff Heimes and Kyle Finke, Sean Lindgren, 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.
Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which included the August general fund bills which totaled $78,000.53. Lori Mink seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr updated the Board on the concrete project that is now completed. Johnson Concrete added cement around the ticket booth at the football/track complex and also added an outdoor patio/classroom at the high school. In addition, they did additional dirt work around some areas of the high school where we were still getting water into the high school.
Mr. Luhr presented the Board an update on COVID-19. He advised the Board that he has put together an Activities Transportation Waiver if a parent is not comfortable utilizing school transportation to and from activities. He also advised that ELVPHD has put together a student flowchart with recommendations for screening, exclusion, and re-admittance to school.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that the HVAC and lighting is almost fully completed. A lighting crew had to come back to add a row of lights in one of the elementary classrooms. Overall, the improvements to the lights and HVAC has been a great improvement. HVAC has improved the air quality at the elementary and the district expects a $12,600 energy rebate from the lighting.
Mr. Luhr reviewed Appendix 1 of Policy 5006 which shows our program capacity for 2020-21 school year, along with our anticipated enrollment. It also states the number of option enrolled students we can accept for this school year. President Jeremy Pochop read the Option Enrollment Capacity Resolution with Appendix 1 for Option Enrollment Policy 5006. Lori Mink made a motion to adopt the resolution and Appendix 1 of Policy 5006. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
The Board reviewed Policy 5417 School Wellness with no recommended changes to this policy.
Brent Bode made a motion to appoint Jake Luhr, Superintendent, as CEO for the schools federal, state, and local funding projects for the 2020-21 school year. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr reviewed with the Board the re-opening plan for the 2020-21 school year with some minor changes being made. Mr. Luhr advised the board that flexibility will be necessary with this plan. Lori Mink made a motion to approve the re-opening plan for the 2020-21 school year. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr went through the first reading of the New Title IX Policy, which outlines the process for handling a formal written complaint of discrimination and/or harassment. There will be a second reading at the September Board meeting.
Mr. Luhr reviewed with the Board the COVID supplement for staff and students. These 2 supplements stress school expectations concerning the main parts of COVID which are masks
and enforcement(staff), symptoms, potential exposure, work/academic work from home, activities, failure to be honest, other rules, and assumption of risk. Toby Thompson made a motion to adopt the COVID supplement for students and staff for the 2020-21 school year. 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 Teagan Arens, 1st grader, for the 2020-21 school year. This request was based on available room in the class at this time. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the option request of Payton Arens, 4th grader, for the 2020-21 school year. This request was based on available room in the class at this time. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Comments were heard from the Board, Principals, and Superintendent.
Lori Mink made a motion to go into executive session at 7:06 P.M. to discuss potential litigation. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Brent Bode made a motion to come out of executive session at 7:27 P.M. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes. No board action was taken from executive session.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 7:28 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education