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, October 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, October 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:                Absent

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 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 will be accepted at this time. No public correspondence.

 

3.  Approval of Agenda

Motion to approve agenda 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

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 Jamie Jorgensen and a second by Kelly Hinrichs.

 

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

Christina Ackerman - Elem Sped Para - Hired 9/15/2025

Veronica Huggins - Elem Sped Para - Hired 9/16/2025

Megan Hays-Lavender - Elem Sped Para - Exit 10/1/2025

Louis Gornick - Director of Food Service - Exit 10/3/2025

 

6.  Old Business

6.1.  Committee Updates

There were no committee meetings this past month.

 

7.  New Business

7.1.  Presentation and Discussion on Pollinator Habitat Project

Scott Luedtke from the Nebraska Game and Parks, along with Jake Koenig, Program Manager with Eastern Habitat, Monarch Joint Venture, presented a concept for a pollinator habitat in the vacant land surrounding the new athletic complex. The habitat would include 60+ native species of wildflowers, designed to support pollinators and serve as an education resource.

 

The proposed project would involve collaboration between the School, The Nebraska Game and Parks, The DC West Pheasants Forever chapter and Monarch Joint Venture.

 

The initial management plans would span one year with the goal of establishing long term sustainability. Mowing responsibilities were discussed; it was noted that mowing may need to be contracted out.

 

The Board recommended that we move forward with this project.

 

7.2.  Long Term Facilities and Growth Planning

BCDM Architects Casey Painter and Matthew Arion were in attendance to discuss the scope of their Master Planning Services to meet the goal of the district’s need for long-term facilities and growth planning.

 

7.3.  Approval of Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement BCDM for AHU/ACCU Replacement

An amendment to the current professional services agreement with BCDM for design services for AHU/ACCU replacements in the North Gym was presented, the first of the proposed long-term maintenance projects associated with QCPUF. The administration recommends the Board approve the design services in order to be prepared to bid the project in a timely manner. Current QCPUF funds will be used for compensation during the design phases.

 

Motion to approve Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with BCDM for AHU/ACCU replacements in the North Gym 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

Yea: 5, Nay: 0

 

7.4.  Student Services Continuous Improvement Presentation

Nicki Pechous, Director of Student Services, gave a presentation on Inclusive Practices Training for General and Special Education Teachers. Mrs. Pechous has been working diligently with our teachers over the past few years on this effort and we would like the Board to be informed of this work that is making an impact.

 

Director of Student Services Board Presentation October 2025.

 

7.5.  Option Enrollment Resolution for the 2026-2027 School Year

Per Board Policy 5006, the Board will pass a resolution prior to October 15th declaring a program, class, or school unavailable to option students for the next school year due to lack of capacity. This resolution may be passed again prior to option enrollment acceptance in March 2026.

 

The administrative team reviewed enrollment trends and projections and discussed multiple options. The team recommended the proposed capacity guidelines for the 2026-2027 school year based upon staff and facility capacity as well as consideration of growth factors.

 

Motion to adopt the resolution of proposed capacity for the 2026-2027 school year as presented Passed with a motion by Kelly Hinrichs and a second by Jamie Jorgensen.

 

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

Yea: 4, Nay: 1

 

7.6.  Lease Renewal Confirmation Resolution 2025

Per our lease agreement with the Nebraska Educational Building Association (NEBA), the Board will annually confirm a resolution for the renewal of the term of the lease for a new seven-year term commencing on November 1, 2025.

 

This will be an annual action by the Board of Education in October of each year.

 

Motion to adopt the Lease Renewal Confirmation Resolution as presented 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

Yea: 5, Nay: 0

 

8.  Adjournment

Motion to adjourn meeting at 8:01 pm. Passed with a motion by Elizabeth Mayer and a second by Cole Groteluschen.

 

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

Yea: 5, Nay: 0

 

Kristi Trost, Board Secretary

Dr. Melissa Poloncic, Superintendent

 

DOUGLAS COUNTY WEST SCHOOLS

OCTOBER 2025 CLAIMS

 

GENERAL FUND

ACH BANK FEE      68.50

ADVENTURE ENTERPRISES, LLC        4,764.00

ALCOVE ROOFING 2,590.50

AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES, LLC      1,773.48

AUL SPECIAL PAY TRUST         5,000.00

BECK, KAITLIN      319.00

BERGANKDV         10,000.00

BEYL, DAWN         71.75

BORDER STATES INDUSTRIES INC    2,102.81

BOYS TOWN         6,000.00

BSN SPORTS LLC   2,568.00

CAPPEL NAPA AUTO SUPPLY - 

VALLEY       75.90

CASEY’S BUSINESS MASTERCARD     8.75

CHIEF SCHOOL BUS SERVICE INC     1,146.64

CINTAS CORP       447.08

CITI CARD - COSTCO     160.91

CITY OF VALLEY    6,070.00

DAILY RECORD, THE      426.67

DATA VIZION, LLC 60,571.29

DC WEST FOOD SERVICE         1,579.30

DIETZE MUSIC HOUSE   883.56

EDUCATIONAL SERVICE

UNIT #2      42,233.17

EDUCATIONAL SERVICE

UNIT 10      80.00

EGAN SUPPLY CO  2,790.15

ENGINEERED CONTROLS, INC  3,925.00

EVERWAY, LLC      6,647.92

FIREGUARD LLC    2,633.85

FIRST STUDENT    36,976.75

FREMONT ELECTRIC INC         3,739.94

HARVEST RIGHT, LLC     3,290.00

HEARTLAND SCENIC STUDIO, INC    435.45

HOME DEPOT CREDIT SERVICES       603.48

HOMETOWN LEASING    2,522.27

IXL LEARNING INC         1,875.00

JUST FOR KIDS THERAPY INC  5,484.75

KERNS, JEFFREY   2,151.99

KEYMASTERS OF  

GREATER OMAHA INC    24.00

LAKESHORE

LEARNING MATERIALS, LLC     671.60

LANGUAGE LINE SERVICES, INC        22.08

LATITUDE SIGNAGE & DESIGN 338.00

LOVE’S TRAVEL STOPS &        

COUNTRY STORE  2,476.19

MADISON NATIONAL LIFE INS CO IN 2,703.50

MAGIC WRIGHTER, INC. 288.75

MARTEN, DAWN   263.74

MATHESON TRI-GAS INC         42.00

MENARDS - ELKHORN    660.14

METAL DOORS & HARDWARE CO      275.00

METRO BASKETBALL     

COACHES ASSOCIATION 180.00

MIDWEST MOVEMENT    255.00

NAVIGATOR MOTORCOACHES INC    1,500.00

NE COUNCIL OF SCHOOL ADM 6,544.00

NEBRASKA MUSIC

EDUCATOR’S ASSOC       400.00

NEBRASKA PUBLIC        

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT 38.57

NEBRASKA TURF PRODUCTS, INC      1,445.48

NSAA DISTRICT II 35.00

OMAHA PUBLIC    

POWER DISTRICT 32,639.50

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD         2,799.00

ONE SOURCE        326.00

PERRY GUTHERY HAASE &      

GESSFORD  175.00

PRAIRIE MECHANICAL CORP    29,128.00

PRO-TUFF DECALS         280.50

PUBLICATION PRINTING         157.30

RANSLEM, MEGHAN        89.00

SCHOLASTIC INC  285.60

SECURITY EQUIPMENT INC.     1,457.99

SPEECH SQUAD, LLC      14,985.00

STANZEL’S MOW & SNOW LLC 712.50

SWEETWATER SOUND, LLC      89.60

UNIVERSITY OF   

NEBRASKA KEARNEY      200.00

USBANK      7,143.22

VALLEY ACE HARDWARE 212.95

VERIZON     105.14

WALMART COMMUNITY  153.78

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF      

NEBR, INC   1,593.87

WATER ENGINEERING INC      317.62

ZOOM VIDEO       

COMMUNICATION, INC.  4.66

333,037.14

 

DEPRECIATION

KANSAS CITY       

AUDIO-VISUAL INC        38,198.40

SHEPPARD’S BUSINESS 

INTERIORS INC     9,021.78

47,220.18

 

NUTRITION FUND

CASH-WA DISTRIBUTING        12,637.05

CHESTERMAN CO  847.08

CINTAS CORP       738.78

HILAND DAIRY      6,665.34

JAYMAR BUSINESS FORM, INC 139.20

ROTELLA’S ITALIAN BAKERY INC      922.41

SCHOOL NUTRITION ASSOCIATION   62.50

SYSCO LINCOLN   11,233.28

US FOOD INC       15,222.60

WALMART COMMUNITY  160.00

48,628.24

 

SPECIAL BUILIDING FUND

BLAZER ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT         7,146.80

BSN SPORTS LLC   4,630.99

MARKING   

REFRIGERATION, INC    11,855.00

23,632.79

 

10/29          ZNEZ

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