MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT MARCH 8, 2021
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on March 8th. This meeting was advertised in the March 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, Toby Thompson, Brent Bode, Paul Kuchar, and Sean Lindgren. Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr and Principals Jeff Heimes and Kyle Finke, Jay Speerman, BCEA representative, 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 March general fund bills which totaled $71,668.66. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented the Board with the current NSAA guidelines for the spring activities. There are no capacity limitations for outdoor spring activities. Facemasks must be worn upon entrance to the outdoor activities but can be removed if outdoors and maintaining social distancing.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the safety report from ALICAP. Everything looks good, and only minor recommendations were made for improvements.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that the Committee on Civil Rights for Nebraska is currently working on their recommendations for NDE, State Government, and NSAA regarding Native American mascots/symbols. Mr. Luhr will continue to monitor this situation.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that the school is planning on having a traditional graduation ceremony on the scheduled date of May 15th at 3:00 P.M. in the gym.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that he received 26 applications for the elementary principal position and has completed 12 phone interviews. He has selected 4 candidates to interview on March 11th starting at 2:00 P.M.
Mr. Luhr sent the Board a video from NASB on the potential Rule 10 changes and discussed these changes with the Board. The NASB wants to ensure that Nebraska’s Boards of Education and administrators are engaged in the key changes and afforded the opportunity to provide feedback.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to accept the teacher resignation of Kristen Colvey, Family & Consumer Science teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Sean Lindgren made a motion to accept the elementary principal resignation of Kyle Finke with regrets and appreciation for his 16 years of service to Battle Creek Public Schools. Mr. Finke has accepted the superintendent position at Summerland Public Schools. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Brent Bode made a motion to approve the new teacher contract for Jonah Heng, Business and Study Skills PE teacher for the 2021-22 school year. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the new teacher contract for Kobe Lade, Business and PE teacher for the 2021-22 school year. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the new teacher contract for Kelsey Reiman, Family & Consumer Science teacher for the 2021-22 school year. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Jay Speerman of Piper/Sandler presented to the Board a packet for the Refunding Analysis of Series 2016 Bonds and reviewed the opportunity to save dollars without adding any more years to the debt payment schedule. Brent Bode made a motion to approve the First Resolution which authorizes early redemption of the Series 2016 General Obligation Refunding Bonds. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the Second Resolution which authorizes the issuance of the Series 2021 General Obligation Refunding Bonds. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a schematic design narrative from ETI who is associated with CWP Architecture. A representative from Beckenhauer construction is supposed to be sending Mr. Luhr a cost analysis for the work to be done at the elementary. Mr. Luhr hopes to have this by the April Board meeting to share with the Board.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that our copier lease agreement will end in July. Tom Hoien, of Eakes Office, has reviewed our current inventory and will get a proposal together for the May Board meeting.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a revised version of our drug testing policy/process that they would like to include in the 2021-22 high school student handbooks.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that he had contacted Hellas, Midwest Tennis & Track, and Fisher Track about evaluating the condition of our track. Hellas and Fisher Track are planning to come and do an evaluation in the next few weeks regarding track repair/replacement. More to come at the April Board meeting.
Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the option request of Harper Arens, kindergartner, for the 2021-22 school year. This request was based on available room in the class at this time, and that she has siblings already attending Battle Creek Public Schools. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Toby Thompson made a motion to deny the option request of Blake Webster, kindergartner, for the 2021-22 school year. This request was based on that our Special Education & Speech programs are at capacity. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Brent Bode made a motion to approve the option request of Braxtyn Wells, kindergartner, for the 2021-22 school year. This request was based on available room in the class at this time, and that she has siblings already attending Battle Creek Public Schools. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the option request of Logan Lutt, 9th grader, for the 2021-22 school year. This request was based on available room in the class at this time. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the option request of Treighton Higby, 5th grader, for the 2021-22 school year. This request was based on available room in the class at this time. Tammy Bierman 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 7:04 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education