MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT OCTOBER 10, 2022
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on October 10th. This meeting was advertised in the October 5th 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, 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 $84,684.56. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a cost comparison for fertilizing/weed control. The comparison was requested by the board to determine to contract the services or do it with district personnel. After discussing the comparison, Brent Bode made a motion to have Mr. Luhr advertise to contract the service to apply chemicals and winterize the high school and elementary green spaces, the football field, and practice field. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the most recent cost analysis from Hausmann Construction. CWP was here last week to review the plans at the high school and are coming back this week to review the plans at the elementary school.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that he and Mr. Childers had met with 2 city council members to discuss the crosswalks and potential one-way streets on the east side and south side of the elementary school. Mr. Childers sent a letter the Department of Roads requesting new crosswalk lighting and requesting a reduction in the speed limit to 25mph from W Ash St to W Herman St. on Hwy 121. The administration would like to see if something can get done to prevent an accident between a vehicle and a student. More to be discussed at a later Board meeting.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that the temporary corridor project is now usable at the elementary, so the students can travel throughout the elementary without going outside or disrupting a classroom. Some exterior finishes still need to be completed.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board two estimates from Dietz Well & Pump Company and Preister Well & Backhoe to repair the pump and motor on the well at the football field and also the concession stand pump. Paul Kuchar made a motion to accept the estimate from Dietz Well & Pump Company to repair the pump and motor on the well at the football field and the concession stand pump. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a letter from the BCEA formally asking the Board to recognize them as the exclusive bargaining agent for negotiations for the nonsupervisory certified staff for the 2024-25 contract year. Sean Lindgren made a motion to recognize the BCEA as the exclusive bargaining agent for negotiations for the nonsupervisory certified staff for the 2024-25 contract year. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a written transportation procedure for foster care students for them to review.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to deny Kylee Clinch, 9th grader, for the 2022-23 school year. This request was based on Board Policy 5006 Appendix 1. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Comments were heard from the Board, Principals, and Superintendent.
Toby Thompson made a motion to go into executive session at 6:59 PM to discuss personnel issues. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Toby Thompson made a motion to come out of executive session at 7:14 PM. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
No board action was taken from the executive session.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 7:15 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education