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, May 13, 2024

 

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, May 13, 2024 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.

Kelly Hinrichs:       Present

Luke Janke:          Present

Jamie Jorgensen:  Present

Bill Koile:              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. Correspondence addressed to the Board was be presented. Kelsey Nabity, District Mentor Coordinator, invited the Board to the new teacher luncheon which is held in August.

 

3.      Approval of Agenda

Motion made to amend agenda. Agenda item would be listed as item 7.8 under new business, discussion of policy 1060. Passed with a motion by Jamie Jorgensen and a second by Kelly Hinrichs.

Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Bill Koile: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

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

Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Bill Koile: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

4.      Administrative Reports

4.1.        Superintendent’s Report

4.2.        Financial Report

 

Mayer was excited to see playground discussion in Dr. Poloncic’s Superintendent report. Mayer also asked if recorded meeting will eventually be posted online for viewing.

Koile commended the staff and administration on a successful graduation ceremony.

 

5.      Consent Agenda

Motion to approve Consent Agenda Passed with a motion by Jim Tomanek and a second by Bill Koile.

Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Bill Kaile: 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.        Building and Grounds Update

The buildings and grounds committee updated the Board on the Sports Complex Project design & budget progress.

 

Dr. Poloncic previewed a list of in-house maintenance projects for the summer.

 

7.      New Business

7.1.        Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association (NRCSA) Guest

Last year, DC West Community Schools joined NRCSA. This organization has allowed professional connections to other rural school districts across the state. Jack Moles, NRCSA Executive Director, stopped by the meeting to introduce himself and share a bit with the Board about NRCSA.

 

7.2.        Approve High School Maintenance & Remodel Project

In order to serve our high school students’ special education needs next year and beyond, the district will need to modify three current spaces in our high school to create a setting that provides classroom space, independent work space, and a sensory room. Nicki Pechous, Director of Special Education, has worked with Mr. Knott, special educators, and parents on the designed needs of the space. We have received a bid from KV Construction, a company that has done extensive work at DC West, to alter the classroom spaces this summer.

There has also been a noise issue between our STEM classroom and welding lab in the STEM area this year with simultaneous classes. This will continue to be an issue with capacity and scheduling. To deter this from happening, we have included the addition of a wall between the classroom and lab setting in this bid.

We are asking the board approve this bid in order to accomplish the work this summer and be ready for our students this Fall. Budgeted general funds will be used for this project.

 

Motion to approve the bid from KV Construction in the amount of $29,339 to remodel rooms in the high school for special education classroom space Passed with a motion by Luke Janke and a second by Jamie Jorgensen.

Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Bill Koile: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

7.3.        Discuss & Approve a Special Project submitted by DC West Schools Foundation

The buildings and grounds committee met to review the project proposal from the DC West Schools Foundation. The buildings and grounds committee recommends that the Board discuss approval of the project with the following conditions:

• Retaining the right to withdraw previously granted donor names should there be a material change of circumstances such that the name no longer represents the District in a positive manner or is appropriate for a  K-12 educational facility.

• Retaining the right to remove or rename after five years.

 

Motion to approve the DC West Schools Foundation Special Improvement Project titled DC West Weight Training Room Phase 2 with the conditions presented included. Passed with a motion by Elizabeth Mayer and a second by Jim Tomanek.

Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Bill Koile: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

7.4.        Approve Certified Staff Resignation

Bryan Bohn, Assistant MS/HS Music Teacher, has resigned his position at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

 

Motion to approve the resignation of Bryan Bohn, Assistant MS/HS Music Teacher, Passed with a motion by Bill Koile and a second by Luke Janke.

Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Bill Koile: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

7.5.        Approve Certificated Staff Hires

The administration recommends the following for hire:

Sailor Bails, Elementary Special Education (new position)

James Eddy, Middle School STEM

Jed Johnston, Interim Elementary Principal

 

Motion to approve Sailor Bails, Elementary Special Education; James Eddy, Middle School STEM; and Jed Johnston, Interim Elementary Principal to begin the 2024-2025 school year Passed with a motion by Jamie Jorgensen and a second by Bill Koile.

Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Bill Koile: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

7.6.        Approve Classified and Administrative Salaries for the 2024-2025 School Year

The negotiations committee met on Tuesday, April 30th, to discuss classified and administrative salaries for the 2024- 2025 school year.

 

Motion to approve the classified and administrative salaries as presented for the 2024-2025 school year Passed with a motion by Bill Koile and a second by Luke Janke.

Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Bill Koile: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

7.7.        Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Preview

Dr. Poloncic previewed the 2025 Fiscal Year with the Board as she had received preliminary estimates for the upcoming budget cycle.

 

7.8.        Discuss Policy 1060

Jamie Jorgensen spoke regarding an incident that happened on May 4th on school property. She noted that, per policy 1060, we do not allow our school grounds, facilities, etc. be used to endorse or condone any political candidate running for an elected position.

 

8.           Adjournment

Motion to adjourn meeting @ 7:53pm Passed with a motion by Luke Janke and a second by Jim Tomanek.

Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Bill Koile: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

/s/ Kristi Trost

Kristi Trost, Board Secretary

 

/s/ Dr. Melissa Poloncic

Dr. Melissa Poloncic, Superintendent

 

DOUGLAS COUNTY WEST SCHOOLS

MAY 2024 CLAIMS

 

GENERAL FUND

360 COMMUNITY SERVICES     4,211.60

ACH BANK FEE      60.75

ACTIVE INTERNET TECHNOLOGIES   2,952.00

AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES    3,494.06

APPLE COMPUTER INC   30,786.00

ASPI SOLUTIONS INC     792.00

AWARDS UNLIMITED INC        263.56

BIG GAME FOOTBALL FACTORY        1,199.88

BORDER STATES INDUSTRIES INC    103.52

BOYS TOWN         15,530.00

BSN SPORTS LLC  776.32

CHORAL TRACKS, LLC    112.00

CINTAS CORP       289.84

CITY OF VALLEY   651.75

CLASSIC SPORTSWEAR & AWARDS   153.24

CLEVER       1,620.00

COMMITTEE FOR CHILDREN    7,266.00

CONTROL DEPOT  299.35

COOPER, PEGGY   20.00

COX BUSINESS     120.66

DAILY RECORD, THE      317.99

DC WEST FOOD SERVICE         1,064.95

DIETZE MUSIC HOUSE   197.40

DISCOUNT TIRE   912.08

DREY INC    780.00

EAGLE SERVICES INC.    872.32

EDUCATIONAL SERVICE UNIT #3      5,640.00

ELECTRONIC SOUND INC        250.00

ELKHORN AUTOMOTIVE 1,945.86

FIBER PLATFORM, LLC   560.78

FIREGUARD INC    1,778.45

FIRST STUDENT    38,057.46

FREMONT ELECTRIC INC         637.89

FREMONT TRIBUNE       542.30

HOMETOWN LEASING    2,522.27

HY-VEE INC 107.99

INNOVATIVE OFFICE SOLUTIONS      93.40

JONES SCHOOL SUPPLY CO INC        198.00

JOSTENS INC        1,248.00

JUST FOR KIDS THERAPY INC  7,642.50

JW PEPPER & SONS       187.73

KV CONSTRUCTION INC 17,283.00

LIFESTYLE FTINESS OF NEBRASKA, LLC     350.00

LOVE’S TRAVEL STOPS & COUNTRY STORE 1,682.45

M-F ATHLETIC COMPANY         510.00

MADISON NATIONAL LIFE INS CO IN 2,845.18

MAGIC WRIGHTER E-SERVICE 170.25

MAKE MUSIC, INC.         99.00

MARCIA BRENNER ASSOCIATES, LLC 2,700.00

MATHESON TRI-GAS INC         36.57

MCGRAW-HILL EDUCATION INC        1,899.38

MCLEMORE, DANIELLE   795.96

MENARDS - ELKHORN    535.93

METAL DOORS & HARDWARE CO      830.00

NE COUNCIL OF SCHOOL ADM 2,780.00

NEBRASKA AIR FILTER   1,619.41

NWEA - HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT   13,255.00

OMAHA PUBLIC POWER DISTRICT    19,723.03

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD         2,700.00

ONE SOURCE        239.50

PAPER 101   9,245.36

PERRY GUTHERY HAASE & GESSFORD        2,884.43

PINES COUNTRY CLUB    1,175.00

PITNEY BOWES GLOBAL FINANCIAL  SERVICES   9.16

PRAIRIE MECHANICAL CORP    7,287.07

REALLY GREAT READING         9,754.40

REMEDY ROAD, LLC       7,041.60

RSCHOOL TODAY  517.00

SAVVAS LEARNING COMPANY  4,665.60

SELECT-YOUR-GIFT, INC 1,320.41

SOKOL CAMP ASSOCIATION    500.00

VALENTINO’S        680.95

VALLEY ACE HARDWARE 212.25

VANDELOO, KATRINA     635.00

VERIZON     90.12

VISITING NURSE HEALTH SERVICES 105.00

WALMART COMMUNITY  101.30

WARDS NATURAL SCIENCE EST INC  53.65

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEBR, INC         1,140.39

WATER ENGINEERING INC      302.50

WELLS FARGO BANK      11,477.31

WINSUPPLY COMMERCIAL CHARGE   1,424.54

WOODRIVER ENERGY LLC       5,237.59

ZOOM VIDEO COMMUNICATION, INC.        3.52

272,178.71

 

NUTRITION FUND

CASH-WA DISTRIBUTING        20,947.84

CHESTERMAN CO  891.50

CHILD NUTRITION TRAINING ACADEMY     105.00

CINTAS CORP       599.64

EGAN SUPPLY CO  1,163.34

HILAND DAIRY      5,627.04

MARCIA BRENNER ASSOCIATES, LLC 2,325.00

ROTELLA’S ITALIAN BAKERY INC      640.51

SCHOOL NUTRITION ASSOCIATION   58.50

SYSCO LINCOLN    8,331.15

US FOOD INC       14,970.90

55,660.42

 

BOND FUND

BOKF, NA    292,875.00

 

QCPUF

BOKF, NA    2,995.00

 

5/28            ZNEZ

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