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, July 21, 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, July 21, 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:             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. No correspondence addressed to the Board.

 

3.  Approval of Agenda

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

 

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

Yea: 6, 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 Jamie Jorgensen and a second by Kelly Hinrichs.

 

Cole Groteluschen: Yea, Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Lulrn Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: 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.  Old Business

6.1.  Committee Updates

The Americanism Committee was given the policy updates to review prior to first reading. No other committees met.

 

7.  New Business

7.1.  Approve Administration Evaluation & Continuous Growth Handbook

The administration recommended the Board approve the handbook and process so that the process may be used beginning the 2025-2026 school year.

 

Motion to approve the Administration Evaluation & Continuous Growth Process and Handbook as presented Passed with a motion by Kelly Hinrichs and a second by Jim Tomanek.

 

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

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

7.2.  Approve 2025-2026 School District Student Handbook

The administration presented the student and parent handbook to the Board for their approval. This handbook includes a new student code of conduct as well as new personal electronic devices and cell phone policy. *It should be noted that the necessary policy updates that are presented in the first reading of policies and the handbook have been updated in the presented handbook. All policies will be passed before the 2025-2026 school year begins.

 

Motion to approve the 2025-2026 District Student and Parent Handbook 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, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

7.3.  First Reading 2025 Board Policy Updates

The proposed Board policy updates come from our legal counsel regarding required policy updates due to state legislation passed in prior sessions. The following policies are included in the updates:

 

Policies 1200, 4003, and 5401 clarify military or veteran status as a protected class

Policies 3131 Procurement Plan & 3132 Internal Controls

Policy 3410 Safe Driving Record Standard for Drivers

Policy 4009 Drug and Substance Use and Abuse

Policy 5001 Admission

Policy 5101 Student Discipline Dress Code, Cell Phones, and Deep Fakes

Policy 5004 Full-time and Part-time Enrollment

Policy 5103 Extracurricular Activity Discipline

Policy 5103 Promotion and Retention

Policy 5202z Notification of Rights Under FERPA

Policy 5301 Association Activities

Policy 5414 Identification of Leamers with High Ability

New Policy 5507 Foster Care Student Transportation

New Policy 6113 Electronic Communication Devices and Cell Phones

Policy 6400 Parental/Community Involvement in Schools

New Policy 6931 Behavioral Intervention and Classroom Management

 

Policy Rescissions:

Policy 5001 Forms

Policy 6410

Policy 8342 Designated Method of Giving Notice of Meetings

 

The school administration also proposed a few policy updates:

 

Policy 5204 Grading System, new guidelines for kindergarten through third grade

Policy 5206 Early Completion Plan, minimal changes to align to updated practice

Policy 5103 Extracurricular Code of Conduct changes offenses for drug and alcohol violations, shifts to more education and restorative measures of discipline

 

7.4.  Right of Way Agreement with City of Valley for Fiber Optic Cables

Motion to approve the Right of Way agreement with the City of Valley to install, operate, and maintain fiber optic cables to the new athletic complex Passed with a motion by Jim Tomanek and a second by Elizabeth Mayer.

 

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

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

7.5.  Student Fees Hearing and Approval of Fees for the 2025-2026 School Year

Annually, the school board shall hold a public hearing on the proposed student fee policy (5416) to meet the requirements of Law 79-2, 134. The changes to our fees this year include:

 

Milk and lunch price increases in Elementary and Secondary

Increase in Driver’s Education Fee

Increase maximum in Cheer and Dance Uniform cost

Increase in maximum admission for dances

 

Motion to approve the Student Fees for the 2025-2026 School Year Passed with a motion by Luke Janice and a second by Kelly Hinrichs.

 

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

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

8.  Adjournment

Motion to adjourn meeting @ 7:05 pm Passed with a motion by Kelly Hinrichs and a second by Jamie Jorgensen.

 

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

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

Kristi Trost, Board Secretary

Dr. Melissa Poloncic, Superintendent

 

DOUGLAS COUNTY WEST SCHOOLS

JULY 2025 CLAIMS

 

GENERAL FUND

ABE’S TRASH SERVICE, INC              300.00

ACH BANK FEE               60.25

ACTIVE INTERNET

TECHNOLOGIES             1,512.00

AKRS EQUIPMENT

SOLUTIONS INC             21,485.24

ALL VOLLEYBALL, INC             1,348.36

AMAZON CAPITAL

SERVICES, LLC               25,611.12

ARBITER SPORTS, LLC            685.00

ASCD          119.00

BEST BUY             2,343.17

BLICK ART MATERIALS            171.91

BORDER STATES  

INDUSTRIES INC           153.66

BSN SPORTS LLC           470.76

CINTAS CORP                362.52

CITI CARD - COSTCO              24.68

CITY OF VALLEY             6,725.50

CODE HS, INC                3,850.00

COMPLETE  

COMMUNICATION, LLC            10,575.58

CONTROL DEPOT           987.82

COX BUSINESS              393.74

CROUCH RECREATIONAL        

DESIGN INC         12,255.00

DAILY RECORD, THE               311.33

DC WEST    

DEPRECIATION FUND              38,300.00

DIETZE MUSIC HOUSE             1,253.41

DISCOUNT SCHOOL SUPPLY             8,422.09

EAGLE SERVICES INC.             647.16

EDUCATIONAL SERVICE

UNIT #3               4,545.40

EGAN SUPPLY CO           29,895.00

ELECTRONIC SOUND INC                 187.50

ELKHORN GLASS, INC             400.00

EPS LEARNING              283.20

ESU COORDINATING COUNCIL          40.00

EVERYDAY SPEECH                 499.99

EXPLORE LEARNING                2,195.00

FIBER PLATFORM, LLC             1,395.81

FILAMENT ESSENTIAL   

SERVICE               3,700.00

FILE, ERICA                   1,679.02

FIREGUARD LLC             2,117.50

FIRST STUDENT             40,914.26

FLINN SCIENTIFIC INC            910.47

FREMONT ELECTRIC INC                  604.57

GAINES, SERENA            1,962.63

GLASER CERAMICS, INC          1,190.00

GOPHER SPORT             579.00

GRAHAM, TERA              1,680.03

HANSEN, BRITTANY                577.15

HEARTLAND PEST CONTROL             350.00

HOMETOWN LEASING             2,522.27

HOODMASTERS, INC               977.20

HOWIES ATHLETIC TAPE                  609.30

HY-VEE INC          216.98

INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING   

GROUP                 3,990.00

JUST FOR KIDS THERAPY INC           490.00

LAKESHORE LEARNING  

MATERIALS, LLC            3,488.85

LOPEMAN, ERIC             1,650.00

LOVE’S TRAVEL STOPS &        

COUNTRY STORE           1,022.79

MACKIN EDUCATIONAL 

RESOURCES          8,118.02

MADISON NATIONAL     

LIFE INS CO IN              5,911.65

MAGIC WRIGHTER, INC.          341.50

MALMSTROM, ASHLEE             533.75

MASLO, PAUL                380.16

MATHESON TRI-GAS INC                  42.00

MCGRAW-HILL     

EDUCATION INC            595.06

MEDCO SUPPLY COMPANY                778.00

MENARDS - ELKHORN             150.88

METAL DOORS &  

HARDWARE CO              149.00

METRO OMAHA EDUCATION   

CONSORTIUM                6,000.00

MILLARD SPRINKLER INC                 1,220.88

MS WIEKHORST ARBOR CO              700.00

NACIA                  40.00

NATIONAL ASSOC FOR  

MUSIC EDUCATION                 284.00

NCS PEARSON INC                  97.75

NEBRASKA ASCD            140.00

NEBRASKA COACHES ASSOC             1,645.00

NEBRASKA RURAL COMMUNITY       

SCHOOLS ASSOC           850.00

NORTHWEST FITNESS             322.50

NWEA - HOUGHTON      

MIFFLIN HARCOURT                2,637.50

OMAHA PUBLIC POWER 

DISTRICT             51,028.66

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD                  2,799.00

ONE SOURCE                 825.80

PERRY GUTHERY HAASE &      

GESSFORD           288.00

PITNEY BOWES GLOBAL

FINANCIAL SERVICES              96.00

PLAY THERAPY SUPPLY, LLC             18.99

PRAIRIE MECHANICAL CORP             5,475.64

PUBLICATION PRINTING         14.50

QUILL, LLC           250.36

REALLY GOOD STUFF INC                 88.24

ROGUE FITNESS            8,200.00

SCHOOL HEALTH 

CORPORATION              325.00

SCHOOL SPECIALTY INC          7,315.42

SECURITY EQUIPMENT INC.              7,212.00

SEESAW LEARNING INC           4,075.00

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CO          429.08

SMART PASS, INC          1,566.18

SOCIAL THINKING          50.51

SOFTWARE 

UNLIMITED, INC.           13,000.00

SPEECH SQUAD, LLC               870.75

STANZEL’S MOW & SNOW LLC          325.00

STAPLES ADVANTAGE              1,311.26

SWEETWATER SOUND, LLC              743.00

TEACHING STRATEGIES LLC             1,748.50

THEODORE PRESSER     

COMPANY             79.95

ULINE, INC           1,785.54

USBANK               8,086.39

VALLEY ACE HARDWARE         205.67

VERIZON              210.28

VERNIER SCIENCE

EDUCATION          1,410.71

WALMART COMMUNITY           666.51

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF      

NEBR, INC            1,208.82

WATER ENGINEERING INC               317.62

WESTCOM WIRELESS, INC                2,671.50

WINSUPPLY

COMMERCIAL CHARGE            5,170.73

WOODRIVER ENERGY LLC                4,129.17

ZOOM VIDEO       

COMMUNICATION, INC.           16,555.75

                  430,536.40

 

DEPRECIATION

AMAZON CAPITAL

SERVICES, LLC               2,033.91

BSN SPORTS LLC           13,557.68

CROUCH RECREATIONAL        

DESIGN INC         94,424.00

NORTHERN TOOLS -     

TREVI PAY            5,431.49

USBANK               2,489.83

                  117,936.91

 

NUTRITION FUND

CINTAS CORP                337.88

EGAN SUPPLY CO           509.48

HILAND DAIRY              574.02

                  1,421.38

 

SPECIAL BUILIDING FUND

DC WEST    

DEPRECIATION FUND              100,000.00

FIRST CITIZENS BANK             36.00

                  100,036.00

 

QCPUF

BORDER STATES  

INDUSTRIES INC           271.67

FIRST CITIZENS BANK             0.00

FREMONT ELECTRIC INC         19,140.00

                  19,411.67

 

8/5              ZNEZ

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