MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT JULY 11, 2022
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on July 11th. This meeting was advertised in the July 6th 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, Paul Kuchar, and Toby Thompson. Sean Lindgren was absent. Also, present were Superintendent Jake Luhr and Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers, and one 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 July general fund bills that totaled $148,162.96. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a construction update, which included an update on the track.
Mr. Luhr visited with the Board regarding his meeting with Dean Carroll and Tyfani Nagy of First Student regarding the proposed increase of our bus contract.
Public Hearing was held on Policies 6400 and 6410, Parental Engagement. With no recommended changes to Policies 6400 and 6410, the hearing closed.
Public Hearing was held on Policy 5416, Student Fees. Mr. Luhr recommended that to Appendix 1 of Student Fees Policy: addition of a rental fee of $20 per semester or $40 per year for the use of a school owned band instrument. Brent Bode made a motion to approve the addition of a rental fee of $20 per semester or $40 per year for use of a school owned band instrument to Policy 5416 Student Fees. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
The Board reviewed Policy 5415 Anti-Bullying with no recommended changes to the existing policy.
The Board reviewed Policy 5008 Student Attendance with no recommended changes to the existing policy.
The Board reviewed Policy 5417 Wellness Policy with no recommended changes to the existing policy.
The Board went through the first reading of Appendix 2 to the student fees policy 5416. Appendix 2 addresses national competition costs and procedures. In April, the board approved that the costs for a national competition would be split 60/40. 40% to be paid by the participants and 60% to be paid by the district. Appendix 2 includes this previous board decision along with other details regarding national competitions. It was also discussed that the district would cover 100% of the coach/sponsor costs for national competitions. More to be discussed at the second reading at the August Board meeting.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the 7-12 student handbook for the 2022-23 school year for them to review and advised the Board that the elementary student handbook will be ready for the August Board meeting. After discussion, Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the 7-12 student handbook for the 2022-23 school year. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr discussed with the Board the 2022-23 lunch prices. According to the information from the Nutrition Services, we are going back to paid lunches for the 2022-23 school year. Mr. Luhr recommended to the Board that we stay with the same lunch prices we had prior to COVID. Brent
Bode made motion that hot lunch prices remain the same as they were prior to COVID. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board new science curriculum materials for grades K-8. The cost of the new materials should not exceed $75,000.00. After discussion, Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the new science curriculum materials for grades K-8 and not to exceed $75,000.00. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board an invoice from JEO Engineering for $13,200.00 for the site survey completed for our upcoming construction projects. Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the invoice from JEO Engineering for $13,200.00 for the site survey completed for our upcoming construction projects from the building fund. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board an invoice from CWP for $66,690.00 for the continued work for our additions and renovations. Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the invoice from CWP for $66,690 for the continued work for our additions and renovations from the building fund. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Brent Bode made a motion to approve the option request of Boston Burns, 7th grader, for the 2022-2023 school year. This request was based on available room in the class at this time. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with four ayes. Toby Thompson abstained.
The Board reviewed an option request from Taylor Hall, 7th grader. This request was tabled until the August Board meeting.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the option request of Braylon Werner, 9th grader, for the 2022-2023 school year. This request was based on that he is a student at Battle Creek Public School prior to moving out of the district. 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 Gracelyn Werner, 3rd grader, for the 2022-2023 school year. This request was based on available room in the class at this time. 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 7:13 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education