MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT SEPTEMBER 12, 2022
President Jeremy Pochop called the Annual Budget Hearing to order on Monday, September 12th at 5:45 P.M. to review and discuss the 2022-23 fiscal year budget for Battle Creek Public Schools. Members present were Brent Bode, Tammy Bierman, Sean Lindgren, Toby Thompson, and Paul Kuchar. Also present were Superintendent Jake Luhr, Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers, and a visitor. Superintendent Jake Luhr presented an overview of the 2022-23 budget. No comments were made by the public.
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on September 12th. This meeting was advertised in the September 7th 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, Toby Thompson, and Paul Kuchar. Also, present were Superintendent Jake Luhr and Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers, Ken from CWP, Steve and Clay from Hausmann Construction, 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.
Sean Lindgren made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which included the September general fund bills that totaled $48,958.49. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes. Brent Bode abstained.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that he had made one change to the 2022-23 Classified Staff Handbook that was approved at the August Board meeting, and that change was that 12 month or 52-week classified employees can accumulate sick leave to 35 days rather than 15 for the 9-month employees. Brent Bode made a motion to approve the accumulated sick leave days to 35 for 12 month classified employees. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that he had filed a claim with the insurance company for the elementary gym roof top unit. Johnson’s submitted an affidavit to EMC Insurance Company confirming that the unit was struck by lightning.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board an updated budget timeline. Mr. Luhr will attend a joint public hearing for the tax request on September 26th at the Lifelong Learning Center at Northeast Community College. A special board meeting will be held on September 28th to approve the budget and pass the tax request resolution.
Ken from CWP and Steve and Clay from Hausmann Construction updated the Board on the progress and challenges with the construction. Discussion was also held on a timeline of the construction. Mr. Luhr will share a construction update with the staff and public via the school website’s newsfeed.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the information that will be included in the postcard that will go out to all patrons of the district for the 2022-23 tax request and the public notice for the joint public hearing, as well as the statements that are required during the hearing. The district’s overall budget increased 84% which is due to budgeting for construction. All required budget documents must be submitted to the NDE, county clerks, and the state auditor’s office by September 30th.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board an estimate from Hausmann Construction for a temporary corridor at the elementary school, which is needed to prevent our older elementary students from having to walk outside during the construction, and so the traffic can go around the adjoining classroom. Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the temporary corridor estimate from Hausmann Construction in the amount of $14,939.00. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that he had been asked to consider having a head girls wrestling coach for the 2022-23 school year due to the higher number of girls interested in wrestling.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board an invoice from CWP Architects for $13,271.88 which will complete the design development for the construction project. Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the invoice from CWP Architects for $13,271.88 which will complete the design development for the construction project from the building fund. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that he is going to send a letter to Green Thumb Landscaping advising them that we are going to discontinue our lawn/field services with their company. The board requested a cost comparison between contracting with a service provider and doing it with district personnel. Mr. Luhr will complete the cost comparison for the October 2022 board meeting.
Comments were heard from the Board, Principals, and Superintendent.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 7:19 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education