MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF DOUGLAS COUNTY

SCHOOL DISTRICT 28-0015,

a/k/a, DOUGLAS COUNTY WEST COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Monday, December 16, 2024

 

The regular meeting of the Board of Education, District #15, in the County of Douglas, in the State of Nebraska, was convened in open and public session on Monday, December 16, 2024 at the Central Office Board Room, 401 South Pine Street, Valley, NE 68064-0378.

 

Following public notification procedures approved by the Board of Education, February 14, 2011, in adherence to 84-1411, notice of the meeting was given in advance thereof by posting such Notice on the exterior front door of the high school, elementary school, middle school, Valley City Hall, First Nebraska Bank, and Foundation One Bank. Notice of the meeting was simultaneously given to all members of the Board of Education. Availability of the agenda was communicated in advance notice and in the notice to the Board of Education of the meeting. All proceedings hereafter shown were taken while the convened meeting was open to the attendance of the public.

 

Attendance Taken at 7:00 PM.

Kelly Hinrichs:       Present

Luke Janke:          Present

Jamie Jorgensen: Present

Bill Koile:              Present

Elizabeth Mayer:   Present

Jim Tomanek:       Present

Present: 6.

 

1.  Call to Order

The agenda, listing items for consideration by the Board, is on file in the Superintendent’s office. Other matters may come before the Board and the Board has the right to modify the agenda before the meeting.

 

President -”As I call the meeting to order I wish to inform everyone present that a current copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted on the back wall of the Board Room for your review at any time.”

 

2.  Public Communications and Correspondence

Comments from the audience were accepted at this time. Correspondence addressed to the Board was presented.

 

An email was received from a community member referencing DC West students and population trends.

 

Dr. Poloncic thanked Bill Koile for his 4 years of service on the Board of Education.

 

3.  Approval of Agenda

Motion to approve agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Kelly Hinrichs and a second by Luke Janke.

 

Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Bill Koile: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

4.  Administrative Reports

4.1.  Financial Report

 

5.  Consent Agenda

Motion to approve Consent Agenda Passed with a motion by Kelly Hinrichs and a second by Jamie Jorgensen.

 

Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Bill Koile: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

5.1.  Approve Minutes

Regular Meeting Date:

Special Meeting Date:

5.2.  Approve Claims for Payment

5.3.  Approve Financial Report

5.4.  Approve Classified Staff

 

6.  New Business

6.1.  2024 Audit Report to the Board

Timothy Lens from Bergan KDV presented the finding of the annual audit that was conducted in the fall.

 

6.2.  Playground Project Discussion with DC West PTSA

Due to concerns that were brought forward after the approval of playground equipment in the November meeting, it was requested by the Board that a representative from the PTSA attend the December meeting to discuss concerns, feedback and a path moving forward. PTSA representative Linsey Bellinger was present at the meeting. The Buildings and Grounds committee also met on December 10th in advance of the December Board meeting, to review questions submitted by the PTSA, as well as feedback gathered from elementary staff. The PTSA stated that they did not disapprove of the equipment approved at the prior Board meeting, they just wanted a discussion.

 

Renderings of proposals and quotes from the November meeting were shown again to the Board, and to PTSA representative Linsey Bellinger. Dr. Poloncic also shared a picture of where the new playground equipment (option A-approved at November meeting) would be placed in relation to the other equipment that will be staying on the playground. The PTSA also asked if there was a future plan to add more equipment or turf to the remaining parts of the playground. Dr. Poloncic stated that the committee discussed and said that this has not been determined right now. The PTSA also asked if going forward would the Board be open to a partnership for supplemental equipment. The Board stated that they would be open for discussion on this but ask that those discussions start at the committee levels.

 

Dr. Poloncic presented option B, which took into consideration some of the feedback and wants that were brought forward by staff and the PTSA after the November meeting. This option would require additional funding. The Board discussed where the additional funding would come from if the new design, option B, was approved. It was determined that if option B was what the PTSA wanted to move forward with, they would be asked to provide the additional funding as the Board had already approved option A at the prior meeting. The executive Board of the PTSA stepped out to further discuss how they would like to proceed. The Board Tabled their discussion to allow the PTSA to confer.

 

After item 6.3 on our agenda the PTSA returned to the Board Room and stated that after listening to the elementary and what they think their needs are for the students, the PTSA is willing to move forward with option Band increase their funding to $38,300 if option B is the design that the school Board moves to approve. They also stated that if any grants that the PTSA applied for and awarded would now be going toward covering the difference that the PTSA would be making up.

 

Motion to rescind the vote for approving the elementary playground from last month Passed with a motion by Kelly Hinrichs and a second by Jim Tomanek.

 

Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Bill Koile: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

Motion to approve design B from Crouch Recreation in the amount of $231,666.00 with donation from PTSA & the Foundation Passed with a motion from Luke Janke and a second by Jamie Jorgensen.

 

Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Bill Koile: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

6.3.  2024 Student Achievement & Accountability Presentation

Dr. Dawn Marten, Director of Learning, presented the 2024 student achievement and accountability data to the Board of Education on behalf of the DC West administration.

 

6.4.  Approve Certificated Staff Positions

The administration recommended Sara Widhelm as school nurse for approval by the Board.

 

The administration also recommended the approval of an additional .2 FTE in Speech/Language for the 2025-2026 school year as thoroughly explained in Nicki Pechous’ November Board Report.

 

Motion to approve Sara Widhelm as district school nurse and the addition of .2 FTE in Speech/Language Pathology Passed with a motion by Bill Koile and a second by Jim Tomanek.

 

Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Bill Koile: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

6.5.  Superintendent Report-2024 Goals Presentation

Superintendent, Dr. Poloncic made a presentation of the accomplishments of her 2024 Superintendent Goals & targeted areas of evaluation to the Board for their consideration in her evaluation that was  conducted at the end of the meeting.

 

7.  Executive Session

The Board may enter into closed session at any time to discuss any matter for which a closed session is lawful and appropriate.

 

Personnel matters needed to be handled in closed session.

 

Before the Board can enter closed session, a motion must be made in agreement with  Statute 84-1410 by the Board to discuss topics such as personnel, negotiations, and legal matters.

 

Motion to enter in Executive Session Passed with a motion by Jamie Jorgensen and a second by Kelly Hinrichs.

 

Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Bill Koile: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim  Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

8.  Motion to Reconvene to Regular Session and Adjournment

Motion to reconvene to regular session and adjourn meeting at 9:25pm Passed with a motion by Luke Janke and a second by Bill Koile.

 

Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Bill Koile: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 7, Nay: 0

 

Kristi Trost, Board Secretary

Dr. Melissa Poloncic, Superintendent

 

DOUGLAS COUNTY WEST SCHOOLS

DECEMBER 2024 CLAIMS

                          

GENERAL FUND                   

ABE’S TRASH SERVICE, INC              400.00

ACH BANK FEE               62.25

ACT, INC              3,078.00

AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES    2,356.56

AMERICAN RED CROSS            239.40

AMERICAN VOLLEYBALL

COACHES ASSOC            95.00

AWARDS UNLIMITED INC                 248.34

BENNINGTON HIGH SCHOOL            195.00

BERGANKDV                  26,500.00

BOOKWORM, INC, THE            2,932.99

BORDER STATES INDUSTRIES INC    1,228.72

BOYS TOWN                  22,140.00

BREAKFIELD, VERNON            325.00

BSN SPORTS LLC            6,260.15

CAPPEL NAPA AUTO SUPPLY   

-VALLEY               163.45

CINTAS CORP                581.88

CITI CARD - COSTCO              666.06

CITY OF VALLEY             1,182.25

CLASSIC SPORTSWEAR & AWARDS   101.80

COMMONWEALTH

ELECTRIC COMPANY      941.35

COX BUSINESS              291.10

CROUCH RECREATIONAL        

DESIGN INC          91.00

DAILY RECORD, THE               330.00

DC WEST ACTIVITY ACCOUNT 250.00

DC WEST FOOD SERVICE         1,679.20

DIETZE MUSIC HOUSE            279.10

DISCOUNT TIRE             1,237.20

DREY INC             1,400.00

EAGLE SERVICES INC.             86.78

EDUCATIONAL SERVICE

UNIT #2      13,051.16

EDUCATIONAL SERVICE

UNIT #3               25,771.45

EGAN SUPPLY CO           4,278.50

ELECTRONIC SOUND INC         3,812.00

FIBER PLATFORM, LLC            558.30

FIREGUARD INC             597.95

FIRST STUDENT             47,363.14

GILES, DARBY               160.00

HEARTLAND PEST CONTROL    260.00

HOMETOWN LEASING             2,522.27

HY-VEE INC          75.00

JUST FOR KIDS THERAPY INC  7,906.25

JW PEPPER & SONS                110.49

KNOTT, JAMES               62.73

KV CONSTRUCTION INC          4,000.00

LANGUAGE LINE SERVICES, INC        21.83

LOVE’S TRAVEL STOPS &        

COUNTRY STORE           1,751.31

MADISON NATIONAL LIFE      

INS CO IN            2,920.72

MAGIC WRIGHTER E-SERVICE 281.50

MARTEN, DAWN             20.00

MATHESON TRI-GAS INC                  40.47

MECHANICAL SALES INC         295.50

MENARDS - ELKHORN             803.36

METAL DOORS & HARDWARE CO      225.00

METROPOLITAN ENTERTAINMENT &          CONVENTION                216.00

MILLARD SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL        80.00

NATIONAL FASTPITCH COACHES      ASSOCIATION                450.00

NCS PEARSON INC                  307.86

NE COUNCIL OF SCHOOL ADM 580.00

NEBR ASSOCATION OF  

SCHOOL BOARDS           300.00

NEBR STATE FIRE

MARSHAL AGENCY                  120.00

NEBRASKA COACHES ASSOC             310.00

NEBRASKA SAFETY CENTER              150.00

OMAHA PUBLIC    

POWER DISTRICT          20,414.33

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD                  2,700.00

ONE SOURCE                 538.05

OPD BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, LLC       125.09

PAPILLION LAVISTA SOUTH    

HIGH SCHOOL               40.00

PERRY GUTHERY HAASE         

& GESSFORD                 1,600.00

PITNEY BOWES GLOBAL         

FINANCIAL SERVICES              96.00

PITNEY BOWES, INC               414.95

PRAIRIE MECHANICAL CORP             309.00       

PREMIER SPORTS OFFICIALS ASSOC 15.00

PRICE, MATTHEW                   200.00

REMM, KYLIE                 160.00

RICHARDS, KATHLEEN             33.46

SCHOOL SPECIALTY INC          799.76

SPEECH SQUAD, LLC               9,132.75

SPORTS FACILITY

MAINTENANCE LLC                 507.00

SWAN ENGINEERING, LLC                30.48

USBANK               3,190.12

VALLEY ACE HARDWARE         434.60

VENTRIS LEARNING LLC          90.00

VERIZON              180.24

WALMART COMMUNITY           82.03

WASTE CONNECTIONS  

OF NEBR, INC                1,248.82

WATER ENGINEERING INC      302.50

WAYNE STATE COLLEGE          85.00

WESTERN PSYCHOLOGICAL    

SERVICES    179.30

WOODRIVER ENERGY LLC                9,078.08

XTRA MATH          400.00

ZOOM VIDEO       

COMMUNICATION, INC.           3.49

                  247,135.42

DEPRECIATION                   

DC WEST SPECIAL        

BUILDING FUND             100,000.00

 

NUTRITION FUND      

CASH-WA DISTRIBUTING        14,061.23

CHESTERMAN CO           762.01

CINTAS CORP                362.52

EDUCATIONAL SERVICE

UNIT #3               1,592.64

EGAN SUPPLY CO           1,467.50

HILAND DAIRY               6,093.75

MENARDS - ELKHORN              21.52

ROTELLA’S ITALIAN      

BAKERY INC         1,128.99

SYSCO LINCOLN            10,413.63

US FOOD INC                14,284.14

                  50,187.93

 

SPECIAL BUILIDING FUND                   

FIRST CITIZENS BANK             871,667.98

 

1/2              ZNEZ

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