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MINUTES                             BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT                  SEPTEMBER 13, 2021

President Jeremy Pochop called the Annual Budget Hearing to order on Monday, September 13th at 5:30 P.M. to review and discuss the 2021-22 fiscal year budget for Battle Creek Public Schools.  Members present were Brent Bode, Tammy Bierman, Sean Lindgren, and Paul Kuchar.  Toby Thompson was absent.  Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr, Principal Curtis Childers, and 5 seniors.  Superintendent Luhr presented an overview of the 2021-22 budget. 

President Jeremy Pochop called the Special Hearing to order on Monday, September 13th at 5:45 P.M. to review and discuss the Final Tax Request for the 2021-22 fiscal year for Battle Creek Public Schools.  Members present were Brent Bode, Tammy Bierman, Sean Lindgren, and Paul Kuchar.  Toby Thompson was absent.  Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr, Principal Curtis Childers, and 5 seniors.  Superintendent Luhr presented an overview of the 2021-22 tax request which included comparison to last year’s tax request. 

The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on September 13th.  This meeting was advertised in the September 8th edition of the Battle Creek Enterprise.   President Jeremy Pochop called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.   Members present were Brent Bode, Tammy Bierman, Sean Lindgren, and Paul Kuchar.  Toby Thompson was absent.   Also, present were Superintendent Jake Luhr and Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers, and 5 seniors.  The new 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.

Brent Bode made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which included the September general fund bills that totaled $74,706.33, and the EOFY bills that were paid at the end of August. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion.  On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.  

Mr. Luhr reviewed with the Board the Return to Learn Plan which is a requirement of ESSER III. 

Mr. Luhr advised the Board that the ESSER III application had been submitted to the NDE for approval. 

Mr. Luhr discussed with the Board the update from Commissioner Blomstedt of the Department of Education regarding the Health Standards that have been put on hold.  The process is going to be revamped or redone in the future.  Also Rule 10 and Rule 14 revisions were put on hold.

Brent Bode made a motion to approve the proposed 2021-22 budget for Madison County School District #5, Battle Creek Public Schools, as published in the September 1st edition of the Battle Creek Enterprise, which includes the General Fund budget of $8,234,796.00; the Depreciation Fund budget of 1,100,731.00; the Employee Benefit Fund budget of $70,000; the Activities Fund budget of $350,000.00; the School Nutrition Fund budget of $482,313.00; the Bond Fund budget of $960,842.00; the Special Building Fund budget of $1,026,449.00; and the Student Fee Fund budget of $42,835.00.  Paul Kuchar seconded the motion.  On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.

Sean Lindgren made a motion to approve the 2021-22 Tax Request Resolution for the General Fund in the amount of $4,636.634.00(property tax rate - .722691); Bond Fund in the amount of $479,798.00(property tax rate - .079005), and the Special Building Fund in the amount of $505,051.00(property tax rate - .078725).  Paul Kuchar seconded the motion.  On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.

Mr. Luhr reviewed with the Board Policy 6370 – Multicultural Education.  There were no recommended changes or additions to the policy.

Mr. Luhr received two sealed bids for the 2002 Dodge van which he opened at the meeting.  The highest bid for the van went to Tami Suing.

Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the option request of Colton Stephen, 7th grader, for the 2021-22 school year.  This request is 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.

With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 6:33 P.M.

Submitted by,

Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education