MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT FEBRUARY 14, 2022
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on February 14th. This meeting was advertised in the February 9th edition of the Battle Creek Enterprise. President Jeremy Pochop called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Members present were Brent Bode, Toby Thompson, Tammy Bierman, Sean Lindgren, and Paul Kuchar. Also, present were Superintendent Jake Luhr and Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers, Billy O’Brien, 4 FFA officers, 7 seniors, and two visitors. 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.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which included the February general fund bills that totaled $104,990.94. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. O’Brien introduced four of his FFA officers who gave a presentation on pros and cons of a dam project for the Battle Creek school district regarding the floods that have affected the city of Battle Creek over the past few years. They will give approximately 5 presentations before they present it at the state FFA competition.
Mr. Luhr reviewed with the Board the revised 2022-23 master school calendar. After some discussion, Brent Bode made a motion to approve the 2022-23 master school calendar. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that the community meetings are scheduled for February 16th and February 20th. Both meetings will be held at the elementary gym beginning at 6:00 P.M.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the current enrollment numbers for this school year, and the projected enrollment numbers for the 2022- 23 school year. He also recommended that we hire an additional teacher to the elementary school for the 2022-23 school year. Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the hiring of an additional elementary teacher for the 2022-23 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 teacher resignation of Laura Johns, K-12 vocal music teacher, with appreciation for her six years of service to Battle Creek Public Schools. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Sean Lindgren made a motion to approve the teacher resignation of Kelsey Reiman, Family & Consumer Science teacher, effective at the end of the 2021-22 school year. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr reported to the board that interviews have taken place to hire teachers to replace the resignations. These teacher contracts will be ready for the board to approve at the March board meeting.
Toby Thompson made a motion to table the kindergarten option enrollment forms until the March Board meeting as Mr. Childers will be holding kindergarten roundup on February 25th. After the roundup he will have a little more knowledge of his numbers for kindergarten for the 2022-23 school year. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the option enrollment request of Ryan Hoehne, 7th grader, for the 2022-23 school year. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the option enrollment request of Clare Schmidt, 7thgrader, for the 2022-23 school year. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Sean Lindgren made a motion to approve the option enrollment request of Miles Clausen, 8th grader, for the 2022-23 school year. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes. Paul Kuchar abstained.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the option enrollment request of Carrington Uhlir, 10th grader, for the 2022-23 school year. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Brent Bode made a motion to approve the option enrollment request of Drevin Dieter, 11th grader, for the 2022-23 school year. Paul Kuchar 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 7:05 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education