MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT DECEMBER 12, 2022
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on December 12th. This meeting was advertised in the December 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, Tammy Bierman, Sean Lindgren, and Paul Kuchar. Toby Thompson was absent. Also, present were Superintendent Jake Luhr and Principals Jeff Heimes and Curtis Childers, Tom Leathers, Klay Kasik, 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.
Brent Bode made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which included the December general fund bills that totaled $100,499.22. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
The Return to Learn plan was reviewed by the board. There were no recommendations for any changes to the plan.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board two price quotes for the football field and grounds care. The board decided to table this until the January board meeting based on their desire for at least one more price quote.
Klay Kasik, of Hausmann Construction, reviewed with the Board the final Guaranteed Maximum Price documents for the construction project. Mr. Luhr advised the Board that the documents were sent previously to our school attorney for him to review. Following discussion, Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the GMP(Guaranteed Maximum Price) Amendment of $7,838,767.00 for the construction project at the elementary and secondary schools. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr and Sean Lindgren visited with the Board regarding the possibility of electronic payment options for parents to make payments for lunch accounts and registration fees/fines. Mr. Luhr has been in a zoom meeting with E-Funds regarding this and will know more following another zoom meeting. More information will be available at the January Board meeting.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that the Board and the BCEA had negotiated an agreement for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years. The overall package increase for the 2023-24 school year was 3.27%, which will be an increase of $600.00 on the base, and a $500.00 increase on the base for the 2024-25 school year. Sean Lindgren made a motion to approve the negotiated agreement with the BCEA for the 2023-24 school year and the 2024-25 school year. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented a Building Fund invoice from CWP for 75% completion of construction documents in the amount of $85,292.37. Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the invoice from CWP for $85,292.37 for 75% completion of construction documents. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented a Building Fund invoice from Piper Sandler for professional services for the issuance of our bond funds in the amount of $15,810.00. Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the invoice from Piper Sandler for $15,810.00 for professional services for the issuance of our bond funds. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the schools renewal documents from EMC Insurance Company, which showed a premium increase of $7,872.00 for a total premium of $85,880.00. Tammy Bierman went over the documents with the Board and explained that the increase was mostly due to increasing the values of school buildings. Paul Kuchar made a motion to approve the premium of $85,880.00 for EMC insurance for 2023. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with four ayes. Tammy Bierman abstained.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a steel bid from Hausmann Construction. Brent Bode made a motion to approve the steel bid from Hausmann Construction. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Mr. Luhr recognized Brent Bode for serving three terms for the Battle Creek Board of Education and thanked him for his years of dedication and service to Battle Creek Public Schools. Brent was presented with a lifetime pass to all home activities, and a plaque will be given to him later.
President Jeremy Pochop advised the Board that the next school board meeting will be on Wednesday, January 11th, due to a conflict on January 9th.
Comments were heard from the Board, Principals, and Superintendent.
Sean Lindgren made a motion to go into executive session at 7:20 P.M. to discuss the principal salaries and the superintendent salary for the 2023-24 school year. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Sean Lindgren made a motion to come out of executive session at 7:44 P.M. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Sean Lindgren made a motion to increase in the elementary principal salary by 2.25% for the 2023-24 school year. This is a $2,121 increase for a total salary of $96,366. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Paul Kuchar made a motion to increase the secondary principal salary by 2.25% for the 2023-24 school year. This is a $2,611 increase for a total salary of $118,676. Brent Bode seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes.
Brent Bode made a motion to increase the superintendent salary by 2.25% for the 2023-24 school year. This is a $3,343 increase for a total salary of $151,927. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion passed with five ayes.
With no further business, Board President Jeremy Pochop adjourned the meeting at 7:49 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education