MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT DECEMBER 13, 2021
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on December 13th. This meeting was advertised in the December 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, Paul Kuchar, and Toby Thompson. Also, present were Superintendent Jake Luhr and Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers, 5 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.
Brent Bode made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which included the December general fund bills that totaled $126,874.82. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes. Sean Lindgren abstained.
Mr. Luhr reviewed with the Board the return to learn plan that we are required to review. Mr. Luhr advised the Board that the plan was a good one and required no changes.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that he had 3 sealed bids for the 2006 Dodge van, which he then opened. Paul Kuchar made a motion to accept the high bid from Digital Solutions for $2,001.00 for the 2006 Dodge van. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
The Board reviewed a resolution stating the Findings and Recommendation of the CM@Risk selection committee which recommended Hausmann Construction as the top ranked recommendation. Toby Thompson made a motion that the Board of Education should and does hereby approve and adopt the resolution as presented, with regard to the selection of the construction manager at risk for the proposed additions and renovations project to the high school building and the athletics facilities and to the elementary school building. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes. Sean Lindgren not voting, as he is employed with Hausmann Construction.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the final bill from Guarantee Roofing for the roof repair/replacement at the elementary school from the storm damage this summer. Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the final bill from Guarantee Roofing in the amount of $60,029.00 which will be paid from the Special Building Fund. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented and discussed with the Board a general timeline for the construction project which includes contract negotiations with Hausmann Construction to be completed by the January 2022 board meeting, finalizing costs for the project in early January 2022, scheduling community information meetings in February, the bond election in mid March, and starting the project by August of 2022. More will be discussed at the January Board meeting.
Mr. Luhr reminded the Board to get their superintendent evaluations into Jeremy if they haven’t already.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to deny the option enrollment of Hannah Marten, 8th grader, for the 2021-22 school year based on the best interest of the district and Board Policy 5006. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Sean Lindgren made a motion to go into executive session at 6:43 P.M. to discuss the superintendent and principals’ contracts for the 2022-23 school year. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Toby Thompson made a motion to end executive session at 7:04. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On role call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Sean Lindgren made a motion to increase the 2022-2023 principals and superintendent contracted salaries by 3% which would be $2,745 for elementary principal for a total salary of $94,245, $3,381 for secondary principal for a total salary of $116,065, and $4,328 for superintendent for a total salary of $148,584. Toby Thompson 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 7:13 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education