September 2026 Regular Board Meeting Minutes
President Jeremy Pochop called the Annual Budget Hearing to order on Monday, September 14th at 6:00 P.M. to review and discuss the 2026-27 fiscal year budget for Battle Creek Public Schools. This hearing was advertised in the September 9th edition of the Battle Creek Enterprise. Members present were Paul Kuchar, Tammy Bierman, Bo Brummels and Tom Leathers. Member Toby Thompson was absent. Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr, Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers, five BCPS seniors and four BCPS staff members. Superintendent Luhr presented an overview of the 2026-27 budget. No comments were made by the public. President Pochop closed the public hearing at 6:05 P.M.
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on September 14, 2026. This meeting was advertised in the September 9th edition of the Battle Creek Enterprise. President Jeremy Pochop called the meeting to order at 6:05 P.M. Members present were Tammy Bierman, Tom Leathers, Bo Brummels, and Paul Kuchar. Member Toby Thompson was absent. Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr, Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers, five BCPS seniors and four BCPS staff members . 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.
Bo Brummels made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which included the September general fund bills that totaled $343,391.63. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr informed the Board of an update on the Mechanical/HVAC project with Daikin.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board information on purchasing promethean boards or similar product for upper elementary and special education classrooms. Four BCPS staff members shared with the board their experiences with the promethean boards and the benefits they could provide the students. There are REAP grant funds available to use for this purchase. Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the use of REAP grant funds to purchase promethean boards for the upper elementary and special education classrooms. Bo Brummels seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr discussed with the Board the 2026-27 fiscal year budget. The budget will be presented again for approval at the Special Board Meeting on September 22, 2026.
Mr. Luhr discussed with the Board the 2026-27 Tax Request. The tax request will be presented again for approval at the Special Board meeting on September 22, 2026.
Mr. Luhr discussed with the Board information about attending the Joint Public Hearing on Monday, September 21, 2026 at 6:00 P.M. at the Lifelong Learning Center at Northeast Community College. President Pochop will be attending the meeting with Mr. Luhr.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board an invoice from ALICAP insurance for coverage for the 2026-27 school year in the amount of $146,461. Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the payment of the ALICAP invoice in the amount of $146,461 for the 2026-27 insurance premium. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a letter from the BCEA requesting the BCEA to be the exclusive bargaining agent for the district’s nonsupervisory certified staff for the 2028-29 school year. Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the BCEA to be the exclusive bargaining agent for the district’s nonsupervisory certified staff for the 2028-29 school year. Bo Brummels seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board information on pricing from dealerships and price quotes for purchasing two new vans and one new expedition. Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the use of Depreciation funds to purchase one 2027 Ford Expedition Max for $57,978 and two 2026 Ford Transit T-350 vans for $63,167 each from Courtesy Ford in Norfolk. Bo Brummels seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr discussed with the Board information about the district taking over the Teammates Program and making it a mentoring program of our own. Mr. Heimes shared information about the current program and what taking it over would look like for the district. The discussion was tabled until the October 2026 board meeting.
Comments were heard from the 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