MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT JANUARY 11, 2023
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was held on January 11th. This meeting was advertised in the January 4th edition of the Battle Creek Enterprise. President Jeremy Pochop called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. Members present were Toby Thompson, Tammy Bierman, Sean Lindgren, Paul Kuchar, and Tom Leathers. 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.
Newly elected board member, Tom Leathers, recited the oath of office to officially become a member of the school board.
Mr. Luhr, Secretary of the Board of Education, assumed the chair from President Jeremy Pochop for the purpose of presiding during the election of the Board president. Secretary Jake Luhr then asked for nominations for Board president. Toby Thompson made a motion to nominate Jeremy Pochop for Board president. There were no other nominations. Tammy Bierman seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes. Jeremy Pochop abstained.
President Jeremy Pochop then assumed the chair from Secretary Jake Luhr and asked for nominations for vice president. Paul Kuchar made a motion to nominate Toby Thompson for vice president. There were no other nominations. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with five ayes. Toby Thompson abstained.
The following Board positions were appointed:
Secretary – Jake Luhr
Treasurer – Jean Unkel
Recording Secretary – Ann Barry
Attorney – Perry, Guthery, Haase & Gessford, P.C., LLO
Newspaper – Battle Creek Enterprise
Depository – Battle Creek State Bank
Committee on American Civics – Pochop, Thompson, Bierman
Building & Grounds (Facilities) – Leathers, Kuchar, Lindgren
Finance Committee – Thompson, Leathers, Lindgren
Negotiations Committee – Pochop, Bierman, Kuchar
Toby Thompson made a motion to approve the appointed positions. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda, which included the January general fund bills that totaled $162,487.35. Sean Lindgren seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Brianna Borchers visited with the Board about her first semester experience in the school base learning program. She also thanked the Board for the opportunity to be able to do this.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board three final bids for the football field and grounds care. Discussion was held regarding the three bids. Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the lowest bid from Lawns R Us for $10,594.32 for the football field and grounds care for a one-year contract. Tom Leathers seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board the Internal Board Policies which included Policy 8110 – Purpose & Role of the Board; Policy 8120 Internal Board Policies & Organization; and Policy 8272 – Code of Ethics. The Board reviewed and discussed them.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board a draft of the 2023-24 Master Calendar.
Sean Lindgren made a motion to approve all administrative contracts with salary increases approved at the December Board meeting. The contracts are Jake Luhr, Superintendent for $151,927.00, Jeff Heimes, Secondary Principal for $118,676.00, and Curtis Childers, Elementary Principal for $96,366.00. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Heimes and Mr. Childers both gave a report on their current enrollment and projected enrollment for the 2023-24 school year.
Mr. Luhr advised the Board that due to no school on December 22, the elementary teachers did not get to participate in their LETRS training that was scheduled for that day. Mr. Childers asked the Board if they could do their LETRS training on Friday, January 27th which would mean no school for PK-6 grades. Paul Kuchar made a motion that there will be no school for PK-6 grades on Friday, January 27th so the elementary teachers can do their LETRS training. Toby Thompson seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Mr. Luhr visited with the Board regarding the approval process when receiving bid tabs from Hausmann Construction. After discussion, the Board decided that all board members would like to review bid tabs via email before final approval by Mr. Luhr.
Mr. Luhr presented to the Board two cost estimates for replacing some maintenance equipment including a floor scrubber at the elementary. Mr. Luhr will review this again in the spring.
Mr. Luhr presented a Building Fund invoice from CWP(Carlson West Povondra Architects) for completion of construction documents in the amount of $42,641.58. Tammy Bierman made a motion to approve the invoice from CWP for $42,641.58 for completion of construction documents. Paul Kuchar seconded the motion. On roll call vote, the motion carried with six ayes.
Toby Thompson made a motion to deny the option request of Cameran McKirdy, 11th grader, for the 2022-23 school year. This request was based on Board Policy 5006 Appendix 1. 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 7:10 P.M.
Submitted by,
Jake Luhr, Secretary Board of Education