MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT April 12, 2021
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on April 12th. This meeting was advertised in the April 7th 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, and Sean Lindgren. Paul Kuchar was absent. Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr and Principals Jeff Heimes and Kyle Finke, and Joe Beckenhauer. 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 April general fund bills which totaled $85,615.30. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that the Civil Rights for Nebraska has published their recommendations on the mascot. There may be an upcoming meeting in the next month or two between the schools with Native American mascots and the NSAA. Consideration will be given to transitioning away from the Native American signs and symbols but keeping the names Braves and Bravettes.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that two companies checked out the condition of our track. Fisher Track recommended purchasing some self-leveling caulk for the cracks, as well as killing the first four inches of grass around the inside of the track. They said if we do this, we could get 8-10 more years out of the track. Hellas Track recommended complete replacement of our track, foundation and surface, as well as the addition of concrete curbing around the inside and outside of the track to prevent grass from growing into and under the track surface.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that he has quote from Eakes for the lease on the copiers and printers. He is awaiting quotes from One Office Solutions and Capital Copiers. Mr. Luhr will bring the quotes to the May Board meeting for review.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that two of the oldest Dodge vans need replacing. He has met with Justin Maxey of Cornhusker Auto and is looking at purchasing a new Dodge van and a new Ford Expedition. These need to be purchased in April to ensure that they are here by next fall. Sean Lindgren made a motion to give Mr. Luhr permission to purchase two new vehicles. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the recommended Option Enrollment Policy 5006 Appendix I. Due to schedule changes at the high school to make room for more sections of courses, we can change our capacities for grades 9-12. The projected capacities with new schedule and the addition of a new teacher puts us at 75 per grade 9-12. President Jeremy Pochop read the Option Enrollment Policy and Capacity Resolution. Toby Thompson made a motion to adopt the new Option Enrollment Policy and Capacity Resolution. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Tammy Bierman made a motion to accept the teacher resignation of Jessica Staub, secondary SPED teacher, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Brent Bode made a motion to approve the new teacher contract for Jessica Eymann, secondary SPED teacher for the 2021-22 school year. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the new teacher contract for Allison Hasebroock, elementary teacher for the 2021-22 school year. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Sean Lindgren made a motion to approve the new Elementary Principal contract for Curtis Childers. Curtis’s 10-month contract begins on August 1, 2021 for $91,500.00. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a Consent to Assignment of the Transportation Agreement between Mid States School Bus Company and Battle Creek Public School. Mid States has been acquired by Student First Transportation. The purpose of approving and signing the agreement is to allow Student First Transportation to assume the rights and obligations previously assumed by Mid States School Bus Company. Student First Transportation will assume ownership as early as the end of May. All contracts and employees should remain the same for us. Toby Thompson made a motion to acknowledge that Student First Transportation is the new owner of the bus company that transports our students. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the current bus barn lease with Mid States Bus Company. After reviewing the lease, the Board wants Mr. Luhr to review past bus barn leases to check into costs and percentage increases over the years. Mr. Luhr will do this and bring his findings to the May Board meeting.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the preliminary cost estimates from Bob Sukup of Carlson West Povondra Architects for the elementary project, and Beckenhauer Construction’s initial pricing on the same remodeling options. Due to the amount of information to review, Mr. Luhr will check into setting up a Board retreat for the Board to review and look at all the options available.
Sean Lindgren made a motion to approve the option request of Channatee Robles, 11th grader, for the 2021-22 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 three ayes and two nays.
Brent Bode made a motion to approve the option request of Chloe Wattier, 8th 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 five ayes.
Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the option request of Carter Wattier, 12th grader, for the 2021-22 school year. This request was based on available room in the class at this time. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the option request of Barrett Kallhoff, kindergartner, for the 2021-22 school year. This request was based on available room in the class at this time, and the fact that he has a sibling already attending Battle Creek Public Schools. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Brent Bode made a motion to approve the option request of Brielle Langhorst, 2nd grader, for the 2021-22 school year. This request was based on available room in the class at this time, and the fact that she has a sibling already attending Battle Creek Public Schools. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Comments were heard from the Board, Principals, and Superintendent.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 7:18 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education