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, April 14, 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, April 14, 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 public correspondence presented.

 

3.  Approval of Agenda

Motion to approve agenda 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

 

4.  Administrative Reports

4.1.  Superintendent’s Report

Mayer requested to add an agenda item to the May meeting to discuss option enrollment and class size capacity numbers.

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, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

5.1.  Approve Minutes

Regular Meeting Date: 03/10/25

Special Meeting Date: 03/27/25

5.2.  Approve Claims for Payment

5.3.  Approve Financial Report

5.4.  Approve Classified Staff

Susan Harder (preschool para) hired 2/24/2025

Fernando Hunter (custodial) hired 02/20/2025

Sara Crawford (custodial) exit 2/19/2025

Hannah Morrison (elem sped para) exit 3/6/2025

Barb Feldhacker (hs health para (until the end of year)) hired 3/3/2025

Nikki Kingham (ms secretary) exit 3/28/2025

Chelsea Dembinski (ms secretary) appointed 3/31/2025

 

6.  Committee Reports

Committee Business held this month:

•   Buildings & Grounds Committee, March 17, 6:30 pm, Discussion of Facility Use & Summer Projects

•   Negotiations Committee, March 26, 6:30 pm, Discussion of Classified & Administrator Salary for the 2025-2026 School Year

o   Buildings and Grounds committee also met on 03/31

 

7.  New Business

7.1.  Facility Use Agreement Discussion & Approval

The buildings and grounds committee met on 03/31 to review expanded research from surrounding school districts as requested from the last board meeting and an email received as a proposal from the DC West Youth Organization on a per season payment for facility use.

 

The committee responded to the organization with a proposal of a lesser amount and the organization was agreeable. The committee recommended that this process be reviewed, recognized as #18 on the facility use form, each year and/or season with the administration and officers of the DC West Youth Sports Organization.

 

Justin Hall, the DC West Youth President, was in attendance and spoke on behalf of the Youth Organization.

 

The new stadium is not currently listed on the facility use form for rental.

 

The committee recommends the attached facility use fees and form for the Board approval.

 

Motion to approve the DC West Facilities Use Fees and Form as presented Passed with a motion by Jim Tomanek and a second by Luke Janke.

 

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

Yea: 5, Nay: 1

 

7.2.  Report from City of Valley Mayor, Cindy Grove

City of Valley Mayor, Cindy Grove, was in in attendance to give an annual report to the Board of Education.

 

Mayor Grove also spoke about a planning grant that was received through MAPA that will provide a traffic study for the area around the new sports complex.

 

It was asked that the Village of Waterloo be contacted to also provide an annual report to the Board.

 

7.3.  Approve the Last Day of School 2024-2025

Six days of school were missed in the published school district calendar due to inclement weather. The originally published calendar accounted for three makeup days on May 20, 21, & 22. The administration recommends the following choices for the Board to consider to approve the official last day of school for students and teachers. The Board also has the right to propose an alternative choice for consideration.

 

Option 1

Makeup 4 student days, May 20-23. Last student day, Friday, May 23rd dismissal at 11:45 a.m. Last teacher day, May 27. (Forgo 2 days)

 

Option 2

Makeup 6 student days, May 20-23 & 27-28. Last student day, Wednesday, May 28th dismissal at 11:45 a.m. Last teacher day, Thursday, May 29.

 

Option 3

Makeup 4 student days & all teacher days. Last student day, Friday, May 23rd dismissal at 11:45 a.m. Last teacher day, May 29.

 

Motion to approve the makeup of 4 student days, May 20-23. Last student day, Friday, May 23rd dismissal at 11:45 am. The teachers will work 1 floating day prior to the start of their contract for the 2025-2026 school year. Passed with a motion by Jamie Jorgensen 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

 

7.4.  Approve Physical Education Curriculum Resources Purchase

Attached is the DC West Physical Education Curriculum Purchase Proposal as well as the DC West Curriculum Replacement Cycle. Annually, we budget for the purchase of curriculum resources to ensure we maintain updated, safe, and quality resources for our teachers and students.

 

Motion to approve the Physical Education Curriculum Resources as presented 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

 

7.5.  Approve Classified & Administrative Salaries for the 2025-2026 School Year

The negotiations committee met on March 26, 2025 and recommends the proposed salary schedule for classified staff and proposed administrator salaries for the 2025-2026 school year.

 

Motion to approve the classified and administrator salaries as presented Passed with a motion by Jim Tomanek 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

 

7.6.  Approve Certificated Staff Resignations

The following staff have resigned their positions at the end of the 2024-2025 school year:

Jennifer Erdman, Elementary Library

Sailor Bails, Elementary Special Education

Beau Schwenka, Middle School Science

 

Motion to approve the resignations of Jennifer Erdman, Elementary Library Sailor Bails, Elementary Special Education Beau Schwenka, Middle School Science at the end of the 2024-2025 school year 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

 

7.7.  Approve Certificated Staff Hires

The following certificated staff are recommended for hire beginning the 2025-2026 school year:

Amy Tessendorf, Family Facilitator/Home Visitor

Kim Loofe, High School Special Education

Megan Garcia, Middle School Math (in lieu of open Science FTE and internal movement)

 

Motion to approve Amy Tessendorf, Family Facilitator/Home Visitor Kim Loofe, High School Special Education Megan Garcia, Middle School Math 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

 

8.  Adjournment

Motion to adjourn meeting at 7:30 pm Passed with a motion by Jamie Jorgensen 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

APRIL 2025 CLAIMS

 

GENERAL FUND 

ACH BANK FEE               125.75

AMAZING ARTHUR                  300.00

AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES             1,782.63

APPLE COMPUTER INC            97,732.50

ARROW STAGE LINES              1,350.00

ASHLAND-GREENWOOD

HIGH SCHOOL               40.00

AUL SPECIAL PAY TRUST                  5,000.00

AWARDS UNLIMITED INC                 2,302.35

BEERBOHM, DANIELLE            72.80

BOOKWORM, INC, THE            689.00

BORDER STATES  

INDUSTRIES INC           293.20

BOYS TOWN                  5,400.00

BROMM & ASSOCIATES           15,200.00

BSN SPORTS LLC            3,226.89

CARSON, JEN                 43.40

CASEY’S     

BUSINESS MASTERCARD         203.51

CINTAS CORP                453.15

CITI CARD - COSTCO              880.13

CITY OF VALLEY             1,240.50

CLASSIC SPORTSWEAR  

& AWARDS           564.15

CLEVER                1,800.00

COMMONWEALTH

ELECTRIC COMPANY               1,456.26

CONTROL DEPOT           302.40

COX BUSINESS              395.50

CROWN PLAZA HOTEL   

& RESORTS          1,096.90

DAILY RECORD, THE               321.33

DC WEST FOOD SERVICE                  2,516.87

DEIDEL, SHERIDAN                 50.00

DIETZE MUSIC HOUSE            559.19

DIRECT IMPACT MEDIA LLC              533.44

EAGLE SERVICES INC.             521.28

EDUCATIONAL SERVICE

UNIT #3               290.00

EGAN SUPPLY CO           2,530.57

ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOLS             318.00

ENGINEERED CONTROLS, INC           5,266.25

ERICSON, BETH             112.00

FIBER PLATFORM, LLC             1,116.64

FIREGUARD LLC             1,582.90

FIRST STUDENT             36,093.87

FREMONT ELECTRIC INC                  3,190.00

GOODWIN TUCKER                 300.95

HEARTLAND PEST CONTROL             520.00

HOMETOWN LEASING             2,522.27

HORACE MANN LEAGUE OF     

THE USA              175.00

HUMANEX   

VENTURES LLC              25,500.00

JENSEN, RANDY             375.00

JOHNSON, ALEX            425.00

JOSTENS INC                 1,353.90

JUST FOR KIDS    

THERAPY INC                12,813.75

JW PEPPER & SONS                 82.24

KEYMASTERS OF  

GREATER OMAHA INC             186.20

KUBICEK, MITCH           210.00

LANGUAGE LINE  

SERVICES, INC               48.68

LANIK, ELA           50.00

LOGUE, BRITTNEY                  50.00

LOVE’S TRAVEL STOPS  

& COUNTRY STORE                 1,601.40

LYMAN-RICHEY CORPORATION                  589.46

MADISON NATIONAL     

LIFE INS CO IN              2,908.02

MAGIC WRIGHTER, INC.          229.00

MARTEN, DAWN            6.35

MATHESON TRI-GAS INC                  265.16

MENARDS - ELKHORN             613.95

MENSAH, SOWAH           6,000.00

METAL DOORS     

& HARDWARE CO          220.00

MIDWEST IMPRESSIONS INC            153.00

MIDWEST MOVEMENT             85.00

MILLARD SPRINKLER INC                 3,228.47

MOLLOY, SEAN              196.00

NCS PEARSON INC                  770.00

NE COUNCIL OF SCHOOL ADM          375.00

NEBR STATE        

FIRE MARSHAL AGENCY          360.00

NEBRASKA COACHES ASSOC             32.12

NEBRASKA TURF  

PRODUCTS, INC             1,832.28

NSAA DISTRICT II          580.00

ODEY’S INC          13,875.50

OMAHA PUBLIC    

POWER DISTRICT          19,675.42

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD                  5,400.00

ONE SOURCE                 381.00

PECHOUS, NICOLE                  20.00

PERRY GUTHERY HAASE

& GESSFORD                 1,754.60

PETTY CASH                  264.75

PHILLIPS, SAMARA                  50.00

PITNEY BOWES    

GLOBAL FINANCIAL SERVICES          96.00

PLATTEVIEW HIGH SCHOOL             340.00

PLATTSMOUTH    

COMMUNITY SCHOOL              69.00

POWERSCHOOL GROUP LLC              7,078.46

PRIME SECURED            180.00

PUBLICATION PRINTING          3,030.56

PYRAMID    

EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANTS          429.00

REMM, KYLIE                 160.00

SECURITY EQUIPMENT INC.             274.50

SOESTER, CAMERON               100.80

SPEECH SQUAD, LLC               17,192.25

STANZEL’S MOW  

& SNOW LLC                 18,531.00

SYRACUSE HIGH SCHOOL                 50.00

SYSCLOUD INC.             2,720.00

THUNDERBIRDS   

FORENSICS BOOSTER CLUB              108.00

TIMECLOCK PLUS, LLC             4,875.00

TIMING ACADEMY, THE           500.00

TK ELEVATOR CORPORATION           1,772.11

USBANK               13,711.39

VALLEY ACE HARDWARE          79.95

VALLEY CORPORATION           13,959.72

VECTOR SOLUTIONS               4,806.66

VERIZON              180.24

VIC’S POPCORN             115.00

VISITING NURSE  

HEALTH SERVICES                  220.00

WALMART COMMUNITY           561.10

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF      

NEBR, INC            2,417.64

WATER ENGINEERING INC               605.00

WINSUPPLY

COMMERCIAL CHARGE            412.69

WOODRIVER       

ENERGY LLC                  24,354.98

ZOOM VIDEO       

COMMUNICATION, INC.           3.50

                  421,967.38

 

NUTRITION FUND      

CASH-WA   

DISTRIBUTING              11,092.76

CHESTERMAN CO           981.11

CINTAS CORP                727.35

HILAND DAIRY               4,555.39

ROTELLA’S  

ITALIAN BAKERY INC              713.74

SYSCO LINCOLN             3,210.89

US FOOD INC                10,902.90

                  32,184.14

 

4/28            ZNEZ

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