MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT SEPTEMBER 14, 2020
President Jeremy Pochop called the Annual Budget Hearing to order on Monday, September 14th at 6:00 P.M., to review and discuss the 2020-21 fiscal year proposed budget for Battle Creek Public Schools. Members present were Lori Mink, Tammy Bierman, Toby Thompson, Brent Bode, and Paul Kuchar. Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr, Principals Jeff Heimes and Kyle Finke, Sean Lindgren, and a visitor.
President Jeremy Pochop called the Special Hearing to order on Monday, September 14th at 6:10 P.M., to review and discuss the Final Tax Request for the 2020-21 fiscal year for Battle Creek Public Schools. Members present were Lori Mink, Tammy Bierman, Toby Thompson, Brent Bode, and Paul Kuchar. Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr, Principals Jeff Heimes and Kyle Finke, Sean Lindgren, and a visitor.
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on September 14th. This meeting was advertised in the September 9th edition of the Battle Creek Enterprise. President Jeremy Pochop called the meeting to order at 6:20 P.M. Members present were Lori Mink, Tammy Bierman, Toby Thompson, Brent Bode, and Paul Kuchar. 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.
Lori Mink made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which included the September general fund bills which totaled $168,295.44. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that the elementary is having some humidity issues. The problem has been identified and will be fixed as soon as some dampers are delivered and installed.
Brent Bode made a motion to approve the payment to Community Building Solutions for $128,496.00, which will be paid out of the Special Building Fund. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that the school has been approved for E-Rate funding to replace the fiber between the elementary and secondary buildings. The total cost for this project with Priority Communications is $9,010 and E-Rate will cover $5,406 of this cost.
Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the proposed 2020-21 budget for Madison County School District #5, Battle Creek Public Schools, as proposed in the Battle Creek Enterprise, which includes the General Fund budget of $8,000,000.00; the Depreciation Fund budget of $1,018,094.00; the Employee Benefit Fund budget of $70,000.00; the Activities Fund budget of $325,000.00; the School Nutrition Fund budget of $351,750.00; a Bond Fund budget of $797,101.00; the Special Building Fund budget of $1,378,873.00; and the Student Fee Fund budget of $39,070.00. Lori Mink seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Brent Bode made a motion to approve the 2020-21 Tax Request Resolution for the General Fund in the amount of $4,573,744.00(property tax rate - .735866), Bond Fund in the amount of $429,293.00(property tax rate - .07601), and the Special Building Fund in the amount of $329,697.00(property tax rate - .053045). Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr went through the second reading of the New Title IX Policy 1211, which deals with a formal written complaint. Lori Mink made a motion to approve the New Title IX Policy 1211. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the Title IX Addendum that was added to the 2020-21 master teacher contract. Lori Mink made a motion to approve the Title IX Addendum to the 2020-21 master teacher contract. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr went through the annual review of Policy 6370 Multicultural Education Policy. No changes were made to the existing policy.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to recognize the Battle Creek Education Association (BCEA) as the exclusive bargaining agent for the school district. Lori Mink seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the option request of Keisha Nelson, 11th grader, for the 2020-21 school year. Keisha attended Battle Creek Public School prior to her move out of the district. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Comments were heard from the Board, Principals, and Superintendent.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 7:03 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education