MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT OCTOBER 13, 2021
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on October 11th. This meeting was advertised in the October 6th edition of the Battle Creek Enterprise. President Jeremy Pochop called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Members present were Tammy Bierman, Sean Lindgren, Paul Kuchar, and Toby Thompson. Brent Bode was absent. Also, present were Superintendent Jake Luhr and Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers, and Jacob Hurla, 6 seniors, and a visitor. 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.
Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which included the October general fund bills that totaled $97,953.45. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr discussed with the Board the city of Norfolk land annexation that was officially approved by the Norfolk City Council on October 4th. Mr. Luhr and President Jeremy Pochop will meet with Norfolk Superintendent Dr. Jami Jo Thompson and Sandy Wolfe(NPS Board President) on Thursday, October 14th to negotiate which school district will serve the newly annexed land.
Jacob Hurla, of Community Building Solutions, presented and discussed with the Board a cost savings analysis on the lighting and HVAC improvements that was completed in the spring of 2020.
Mr. Luhr presented and discussed with the Board the Construction Management at Risk Policy #7070. Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the (1) Construction Management at Risk method of construction delivery for the proposed additions and renovations project to the high school building and athletics facility, and to the elementary school building under Political Subdivisions Construction Alternatives Act; (2) Adopt the Construction Management at Risk selection criteria and point values; (3) Appoint members to the Construction Management at Risk selection committee. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with four ayes. Sean Lindgren abstained.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a letter from the BCEA requesting the board to recognize the BCEA as the exclusive bargaining agent for the district’s non-supervisory certified staff for the 2023-2024 contract year. Paul Kuchar made a motion to recognize the BCEA as the exclusive bargaining agent for the district’s non-supervisory certified staff for the 2023-2024 contract year. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr visited with the Board about the possibility of restructuring our extra duty payment to align with the time the extra duty activity is being performed during that contract year. Mr. Luhr will work with the BCEA negotiations committee to explore this option with extra duty pay. Mr. Luhr noted that this would not change the amounts of extra duty pay but could change the number of months the extra duty pay is paid out. Currently all extra duty pay is spread out over 12 months.
Comments were heard from the Board, Principals, and Superintendent.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to go into closed session at 6:50 P.M. to discuss personnel. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Toby Thompson made a motion to come out of closed session at 7:23 P.M. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes. No board action was taken from the closed session discussion.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 7:23 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education