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, January 13, 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, January 13, 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.      Swearing In of New Board Member

Cole Groteluschen was sworn in as a new Board member and took the Oath of Office.

 

3.      Public Communications and Correspondence

Comments from the audience were accepted at this time. There was no public comments or correspondence.

 

4.      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, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

5.      Administrative Reports

5.1. Superintendent’s Report

5.2. Financial Report

 

Board Member Mayer thanked Dr. Marten, Director of Curriculum, for the additional information she provided in her board report regarding student achievement data. She asked that at her next presentation she add more detailed comparison of achievement data with our conference/local schools.

 

Mayer also asked if the traffic study being conducted on behalf of the city have the scope of the new athletic facility within this scope.

 

It was noted that the March board meeting will be held on March 10th 2025.

 

6.      Consent Agenda

Motion to approve Consent Agenda 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

 

6.1. Approve Minutes

Regular Meeting Date:

Special Meeting Date:

6.2. Approve Claims for Payment

6.3. Approve Financial Report

6.4. Approve Classified Staff

 

7.      New Business

7.1. Board Election of Officers

Election Procedures per Board Policy 8130:

 

Upon call for nominations for each office by the Chair, nominations shall be made by written or oral ballot. Voting will be by oral or written ballot on all members nominated and repeated until a majority is achieved for a nominee. If no member receives a majority of votes after 5 ballots or 1 hour, the Board member who was the President of the Board during the immediately preceding term shall continue as President. In the event that the previous Board President is no longer a Board member, then the Vice President from the immediately preceding term shall become the President. In the event that both the prior President and Vice President are no longer members of the Board, then the longest tenured Board member shall serve as President. The vote may be taken by secret ballot, but the total number of votes for each candidate shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

 

Dr. Melissa Poloncic, Superintendent, conducted the Presidential election and the new President conducted the remainder of the elections and the meeting.

 

Dr. Poloncic opened nominations for Board President. Hinrichs nominated Janke.

 

Motion to approve Luke Janke as Board President to serve a term of one year, or until the person’s successor is elected and qualified Passed with a motion by Jamie Jorgensen and a second by Kelly Hinrichs.

 

Luke Janke: Abstain (With Conflict), Cole Groteluschen: Yea, Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Abstain (With Conflict): 1

 

President Luke Janke opened nominations for Vice President. Tomanek nominated Hinrichs.

 

Motion to approve Kelly Hinrichs as Board Vice President to serve a term of one year, or until the person’s successor is elected and qualified Passed with a motion by Luke Janke 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

 

President Luke Janke opened nomination for Treasurer. Hinrichs nominated Jorgensen.

 

Motion to approve Jamie Jorgensen as Board Treasurer to serve a term of one year, or until the person’s successor is elected and qualified Passed with a motion by Kelly Hinrichs and a second by Jim Tomanek.

 

Jamie Jorgensen: Abstain (With Conflict), Cole Groteluschen: Yea, Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 5, Nay: 0, Abstain (With Conflict): 1

 

7.2. Approval of Committees, Positions, and Designations

a.  Consider, discuss and take action to elect Recording Secretary of the BOE

b.  Consider, discuss and take action to select Legal counsel

c.   Consider, discuss and take action to elect Committees as determined by the BOE

 

Buildings and Grounds: Janke/Jorgensen/Tomanek

American Civics: Janke, Groteluschen/Hinrichs

Negotiations: Tomanek/Mayer/Hinrichs

Finance: Jorgensen/Mayer/Groteluschen

DC West Schools Foundation Board Representative: Hinrichs

MABE Representative: Groteluschen

 

d.  Consider, discuss and take action to select Depository bank(s)

e.  Consider, discuss and take action to select District newspaper(s) of record

 

Motion to approve Kristi Trost be appointed as Board Secretary to serve a term of one year, or until the person’s successor is  elected and qualified Passed with a motion by Jamie Jorgensen and a second by Luke Janke.

 

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

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

Motion to appoint Perry, Guthery, Haase & Gessford, P.C., L.L.O. as Legal Counsel Passed with a motion by Elizabeth Mayer 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

 

Board Member Mayer asked that as committee meetings occur, those meeting dates and meeting reports be noted on the next month’s board agenda.

 

Motion to appoint Board members to committees as determined by the Board of Education Passed with a motion by Luke Janke 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

 

Motion to select First Nebraska, Foundation One, and First Citizens Bank as the depository banks and the officers of President, Vice President, and Treasurer as approved signers of accounts Passed with a motion by Kelly Hinrichs 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

 

Motion to select The Daily Record as the newspaper of record Passed with a motion by Jamie Jorgensen 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

 

7.3. Approval of Interlocal Agreement and Cooperative

NJUMP is an interlocal pool created for public agencies to purchase natural gas and related services. This joint energy purchasing consortium is sponsored by the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASS). The district has saved by participating in the NJUMP program. It was recommended that we continue participating in the interlocal agreement.

 

The District participates in a cooperative with other districts around the state for PowerSchool, which is our student information system we use for student records, lunch, grades, attendance, etc. As a part of the cooperative, we have buying power, access to professional development for our staff and real-time support by local personnel of the cooperative. It was recommended the Board approve continuation of the cooperative.

 

Motion to approve DC West’s continued participation in the Southeast Nebraska PowerSchool Cooperative Passed with a motion by Kelly Hinrichs and a second by Luke Janke.

 

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

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

Motion to approve DC West’s continued participation in the NJUMP lnterlocal Agreement Passed with a motion by Jim Tomanek 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

 

7.4. Approval of Current Board Policies and Regulations

Per policy 8130, the Board will annually approve the current Board policies and regulations. Board policies may be found  publicly on our website.

 

Motion to approve the current Board policies and regulations 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

 

7.5. Designate Annual Review of Board of Education Policies

According to Board policy 8130, the Board will annually designate a date for annual review of the Board of Education policies. The administration recommended the Summer of 2025 as the designated timeframe for an annual review as new legislation changes and updated policies from legal services will arrive at that time.

 

Motion to appoint an annual review of Board policies in the Summer of 2025 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

 

7.6. Conflict of Interest Policy & Statute and Code of Ethics Policy Review

As outlined in Board policy 8130, each Board member will receive the conflict of interest statute and policy annually. Also included is the Board Code of Ethics Policy.

 

7.7. Annual Review of the HVAC Equipment Evaluation

The Board of Education requested an annual review of the HVAC Equipment Life Expectancy report provided by Morrissey Engineering in 2022. This report allows the Board to anticipate upcoming replacement or maintenance needs. It was recommended that Buildings and Grounds committee meet and assess the 3 oldest HVAC units and look at repairs that have occurred as well as having an HVAC company come and look at all units. It was also recommended that there be a roof assessment done for the High School portion of the Middle/High School building.

 

7.8. Affirm the Appointment of Mr. Alan Sarka as Elementary Principal

The administration requested the Board affirm the appointment of Mr. Alan Sarka as Elementary Principal beginning the 2025-2026 school year.

 

Motion to affirm the administrative appointment of Mr. Alan Sarka as Elementary Principal beginning the 2025-2026 school year 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

 

8.      Adjournment

Motion to adjourn meeting @ 7:28pm 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

 

Kristi Trost, Board Secretary

Dr. Melissa Poloncic, Superintendent

 

DOUGLAS COUNTY WEST SCHOOLS JANUARY 2025 CLAIMS

                          

GENERAL FUND                   

ACH BANK FEE               62.75

AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES    2,854.76

AWARDS UNLIMITED INC        150.07

BALDWIN’S FLOORING AMERICA       26.88

BOYS TOWN                  2,700.00

BSN SPORTS LLC            9,160.03

CASEY’S BUSINESS MASTERCARD      29.37

CINTAS CORP                362.52

CITY OF VALLEY            614.50

CONTROL TEMP, INC.             471.00

DAILY RECORD, THE               283.99

DC WEST FOOD SERVICE         1,429.00

DIETZE MUSIC HOUSE            215.20

EDUCATIONAL SERVICE UNIT #        3443.30

EGAN SUPPLY CO           8,397.91

ELECTRONIC SOUND INC         1,125.00

ELKHORN AUTOMOTIVE          2,476.45

ENGINEERED CONTROLS         5,122.94

EPS LEARNING              897.88

ERGOTRON, INC            116.57

FIBER PLATFORM, LLC            558.32

FIREGUARD INC             2,453.50

FIRST NEBRASKA BANK-VALLEY        25.00

FIRST STUDENT             44,454.74

FLINN SCIENTIFIC INC            235.06

FREMONT ELECTRIC INC         1,985.00

HAYS, DAN           65.00

HEARTLAND PEST CONTROL    260.00

HOMETOWN LEASING             2,522.27

HUMANEX VENTURES LLC        5,700.00

JACOX, LESLIE               1,320.00

JAYMAR BUSINESS FORM, INC 309.09

JOHNSON, ALEX            325.00

JUST FOR KIDS THERAPY INC  8,196.25

JW PEPPER & SONS                 22.00

LANGUAGE LINE SERVICES, INC        39.04

LOVE’S TRAVEL STOPS &        

COUNTRY STORE           1,799.63

MADISON NATIONAL LIFE      

INS CO IN            2,934.63

MAGIC WRIGHTER E-SERVICE 250.00

MARKING REFRIGERATION      869.25

MARTIN, SR., MARK                250.00

MATHESON TRI-GAS INC                  41.47

MENARDS - ELKHORN             275.29

METAL DOORS & HARDWARE CO      215.00

METRO COMMUNITY COLLEGE

BOOKSTORE                  1,487.52

MIDWEST MOVEMENT             170.00

MY CENTRAL SUPPLY              148.61

NATIONAL RESTAURANT        

SOLUTIONS, LLC            180.00

NE COUNCIL OF SCHOOL ADM 120.00

NEBRASKA AIR FILTER            6,105.04

NEBRASKA SAFETY CENTER     250.00

OMAHA PUBLIC    

POWER DISTRICT 19,261.74

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD         2,700.00

ONE SOURCE                 695.00

OVERDRIVE INC            750.00

PERRY GUTHERY  

HAASE & GESSFORD       64.00

POWERSCHOOL GROUP LLC     6,910.25

PRAIRIE MECHANICAL CORP    1,432.00

PUBLICATION PRINTING         101.50

REALLY GREAT READING        

COMPANY, LLC               59.00

SCHOOL HEALTH CORPORATION      160.00

SPARQDATA SOLUTIONS INC   2,600.00

SPEECH SQUAD, LLC               5,528.25

STANZEL’S MOW & SNOW LLC 986.50

USBANK               549.23

VALLEY ACE HARDWARE         391.69

VERIZON              90.12

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF      

NEBR, INC            1,208.82

WATER ENGINEERING INC      302.50

WAYNE STATE COLLEGE          275.00

ZOOM VIDEO       

COMMUNICATION, INC.           5.81

                  164,578.24

 

DEPRECIATION                   

CROUCH RECREATIONAL        

DESIGN INC          115,833.00

 

NUTRITION FUND                        

AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES    184.95

CASH-WA DISTRIBUTING         8,630.22

CHESTERMAN CO           476.53

CINTAS CORP                581.88

DC WEST COMMUNITY SCHOOLS      249.31

HILAND DAIRY               2,940.77

ROTELLA’S ITALIAN BAKERY INC       77.55

SYSCO LINCOLN             3,234.70

US FOOD INC                 3,906.72

                  20,282.63

 

1/23            ZNEZ

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