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, June 16, 2025

 

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, June 16, 2025 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.

Cole Groteluschen:         Present

Kelly Hinrichs:                Present

Luke Janke:                   Present

Jamie Jorgensen:           Present

Elizabeth Mayer:             Absent

Jim Tomanek:                Present

Present: 5, Absent: 1.

 

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 cunent 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. No Correspondence addressed to the Board.

 

3.  Approval of Agenda

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

 

Cole Groteluschen: Yea, Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0

 

4.  Administrative Reports

4.1.  Superintendent’s Report

4.2.  Financial Report

 

5.  Consent Agenda

Motion to approve Consent Agenda Passed with a motion by Kelly Himichs and a second by Jim Tomanek.

 

Cole Groteluschen: Yea, Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 5, 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

The following classified staff have reported they will not return for the 2025-2026 school year:

 

Morgan Morrison Elem Sped Para- exit 5/23/2025

Kara Jennings Elem Sped Para- exit 5/23/2025

Kelly Ellis Food Service Director- exit 5/30/2025

Terrie Emmons Food Service- exit 5/23/2025

Barb Feldhacker HS Health Para- exit 5/22/2025

Jennifer Hall Preschool Para- exit 5/22/2025

Susan Harder Preschool Para- exit 4/30/2025

Frank Ambriz HS Sped Para- exit 5/23/2025

 

6.  Old Business

6.1.  Special Improvement Project Discussion

Last month a Special Improvement Project Proposal was shared on behalf of Mr. Dave Williams, representing the Valley Alunmi Association. This request has been corrected and resubmitted for Board discussion. Mr. Williams has requested that the plaque attached to the flagpole at the new DC West Athletic Complex read “Donated by the Valley Alunmi Association”. The Board agreed that in order for the plaque to be placed at the new sports complex the Board would like it to read “Donated by DC West Alumni”. Dr. Poloncic will reach out to Mr. Willaims and propose the new verbiage or, if Mr. Willaims would like to keep the donation from the Valley Alumni Association, suggest a donation to other projects on the school’s campus through the PISA or the Foundation.

 

6.2.  QCPUF Long Term Maintenance Discussion

Dr. Poloncic has continued to engage with Facility Advocates on the analysis of the budget for long-term maintenance planning. The Board suggested that Dr. Poloncic contact our legal to start the qualification process for a 10-year Energy Savings bond for replacement of the roof on the High School, replacement of the HVAC units that are near the main competition gym and the replacement cycle of some of the older rooftop units over the next several years.

 

Cole Groteluschen also asked about the possibility of getting a quote for a water filtration system. Dr. Poloncic will look into possible filtration system in the cafeterias.

 

7.  New Business

7.1.  Personal Electronic Device Procedures Presentation

Administration facilitated conversations and gathered valuable feedback from parents, teachers, and students regarding new DC West Personal Electronic Device Procedures to be included in our DC West Handbooks for the 2025-2026 school year. Dr. Marten presented the findings and recommendations to the Board for discussion. In July, the Board will be approving handbooks including the procedures for Personal Electronic Devices as proposed by administration.

 

7.2.  Administrator Evaluation System Update

One of Dr. Poloncic’s Superintendent Goals for 2025 is to complete the adoption and implementation of a new administrator evaluation system. A handbook of the new system with companion policies will be presented for approval in July. Dr. Poloncic reviewed the process and progress of the workgroup creating the new system with the Board.

 

7.3.  Code of Conduct Update

Throughout the school year, the administrative team has been working on creating a Code of Conduct for our student handbooks. The updated Code of Conduct will be included in the student handbooks for your approval in July. Dr. Poloncic shared the components of the Code of Conduct with the Board in order to provide an overview and for the members to ask questions.

 

7.4.  Preview of Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Components

Estimates of the main budget components for the 2026 fiscal year have been received. A preview was shared with the Board.

 

7.5.  Executive Summary 2025 Engagement Survey

DC West values and supports gathering feedback on the culture of our organization. Annual surveys serve as one measurement of our strategic goal of culture and cohesion. The annual staff, student, and parent surveys were conducted in April. The Board received the full summary of the results by email on May 23rd. The executive summary of results and strategies for action were shared for the Board’s information.

 

8.  Adjournment

Motion to adjourn meeting@ 8:09 Passed with a motion by Jamie Jorgensen and a second by Kelly Hinrichs.

 

Cole Groteluschen: Yea, Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0

 

Kristi Trost, Board Secretary

Dr. Melissa Poloncic, Superintendent

 

DOUGLAS COUNTY WEST SCHOOLS

JUNE 2025 CLAIMS

 

GENERAL FUND

ACH BANK FEE               63.00

ADVENTURE

ENTERPRISES, LLC                  1,338.00

AKRS EQUIPMENT

SOLUTIONS INC             1,835.00

AMAZON CAPITAL

SERVICES, LLC               17,971.85

ANCHOR HEALTH AND   

FITNESS, INC                13,226.89

APPLE COMPUTER INC             6,480.00

ASPI SOLUTIONS INC              294.00

ATHLETIC ASSESSMENT

TECHNOLOGY                2,228.34

AWARDS UNLIMITED INC                 2,330.58

BLACK SQUIRREL 

ENTERPRISES, LLC                  350.00

BLAZER ATHLETIC

EQUIPMENT         425.21

BLICK ART MATERIALS            1,164.47

BORDER STATES  

INDUSTRIES INC           780.67

BOYS TOWN                  15,600.00

BSN SPORTS LLC            2,178.24

CASEY’S BUSINESS        

MASTERCARD                188.12

CDW GOVERNMENT LLC          1,972.28

CENTER FOR       

RESPONSIVE SCHOOLS, INC             532.44

CINTAS CORP                453.15

CLASSIC SPORTSWEAR &       

AWARDS              176.45

COMMITTEE FOR CHILDREN             5,556.00

COMPOSITE RECYCLING

TECHNOLOGY CENTER            2,399.94

COX BUSINESS              197.07

DAILY RECORD, THE               319.33

DASHR, LLC          255.00

DC WEST FOOD SERVICE                  1,821.91

DEMCO INC          169.94

DISCOUNT SCHOOL SUPPLY             117.23

DISCOVERY EDUCATION, INC           999.00

EAGLE SERVICES INC.             1,024.00

EAKES OFFICE PLUS                810.00

EDUCATIONAL SERVICE

UNIT #2               34,731.37

EDUCATIONAL SERVICE

UNIT #3               80.00

EGAN SUPPLY CO           11,922.46

ELKHORN AUTOMOTIVE, INC            2,178.10

ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOLS              7,500.00

FIBER PLATFORM, LLC            558.32

FIRST STUDENT             60,019.84

FLINN SCIENTIFIC INC            621.05

GOPHER SPORT             8,739.80

HOMETOWN LEASING             2,522.27

HOUGHTON

MIFFLIN HARCOURT               192.34

INSECT LORE                 63.98

INTERNATIONAL E-Z UP, INC            526.00

JOHNSON, ALEX            350.00

JOSTENS INC                 175.70

JUST FOR KIDS THERAPY INC           7,955.50

KERNS, JEFFREY            2,783.75

KORNEY BOARD AIDS             149.81

LAKESHORE LEARNING  

MATERIALS, LLC            114.43

LEARNING FORWARD    

NEBRASKA            25.00

LEARNING FORWARD              180.00

LEARNING WITHOUT TEARS             265.49

LOVE’S TRAVEL STOPS &        

COUNTRY STORE           1,940.86

MADISON NATIONAL     

LIFE INS CO IN              2,847.15

MAGIC WRIGHTER, INC.          308.50

MATHESON TRI-GAS INC                  43.05

MCGRAW-HILL     

EDUCATION INC            1,057.84

MEDCO SUPPLY COMPANY                851.67

MENARDS - ELKHORN             526.11

MENSAH, SOWAH          200.00

MIDWEST MOVEMENT             85.00

MILLARD SPRINKLER INC                 686.18

N S A A                1,480.00

NE COUNCIL OF SCHOOL ADM          75.00

NEBRASKA CAPITAL      

CONFERENCE                695.00

NEBRASKA METHODIST 

COLLEGE              71.50

NEBRASKA SAFETY CENTER              350.00

NEBRASKA UMPIRES ASSOC              70.00

ODEY’S INC          298.00

OMAHA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM           498.00

OMAHA PUBLIC POWER 

DISTRICT             19,995.83

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD                  6,948.00

ONE SOURCE                 58.50

OPD BUSINESS    

SOLUTIONS, LLC            347.50

PECHOUS, NICOLE                  930.75

PERFORM BETTER - MFAC, LLC                  308.00

PERRY GUTHERY HAASE &      

GESSFORD            3,560.78

PORKY BUTTS BBQ                  2,055.00

POSTMASTER                120.00

POWERSCHOOL GROUP LLC              8,229.46

PRAIRIE MECHANICAL CORP             3,638.19

PUBLICATION PRINTING         369.25

QUILL, LLC           560.24

READING WAREHOUSE            940.80

REALLY GOOD STUFF INC                 151.26

REALLY GREAT READING        

COMPANY, LLC               9,633.80

SCHOOL HEALTH 

CORPORATION              149.86

SCHOOL OUTLET           704.52

SCHOOL SPECIALTY INC          5,840.63

SIMPLIFASTER               41,599.98

SOKOL CAMP ASSOCIATION             750.00

SPEECH SQUAD, LLC               9,598.50

SPEED4LIFTS S.L           7,990.92

STAPLES ADVANTAGE              7,968.43

STUDENT ASSURANCE   

SERVICES INC                1,525.00

TEACHING  

STRATEGIES LLC           25,152.00

TEAM BUILDR                5,100.00

VALLEY ACE HARDWARE         323.75

VANDELOO, KATRINA              923.75

VERIZON              166.16

VERNIER SCIENCE

EDUCATION          3,442.85

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF      

NEBR, INC            1,208.82

WATER ENGINEERING INC               317.62

WEST MUSIC COMPANY INC             198.64

WINSUPPLY

COMMERCIAL CHARGE            158.75

ZOOM VIDEO       

COMMUNICATION, INC.           1.17

407,965.89

 

DEPRECIATION

AMAZON CAPITAL

SERVICES, LLC               1,513.88

BEST BUY             12,465.38

13,979.26

 

NUTRITION FUND

CASH-WA DISTRIBUTING                  5,352.81

CHESTERMAN CO           396.36

CINTAS CORP                727.35

HILAND DAIRY               4,908.32

ROTELLA’S ITALIAN      

BAKERY INC         587.04

SYSCO LINCOLN             3,375.99

US FOOD INC                 4,055.58

19,403.45

 

SPECIAL BUILIDING FUND

FIRST CITIZENS BANK             965,061.08

 

QCPUF

BORDER STATES  

INDUSTRIES INC            2,977.50

 

7/3              ZNEZ

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