Minutes of the Banner County School District Board of Education Meeting
Monday, August 14, 2023
Notice of the Monday, August 14, 2023, Board of Education Regular Meeting was posted at Harrisburg U.S. Post Office, Banner Capital Bank, Banner County Courthouse, Banner County School, and in the Western Nebraska Observer.
Call to Order
The Regular Meeting of the Banner County School District Board of Education was called to order at 7:02PM, in the school cafeteria. The Nebraska Open Meetings Act was displayed on the wall.
Roll Call/Welcome
Present: Megan Allen, Laura Baker, Bret Jeffries, Ronald Johnson, Jake Knaub, and Douglas Olsen.
Also present: Evelyn Browne, Superintendent/BOE Secretary and Principal Troy Holmberg.
Pledge of Allegiance
President Ron Johnson invited members and guests to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Agenda
Approve the agenda for the August 14th, 2023 Regular Meeting of the Banner County Board of Education. Passed with a motion by Douglas Olsen and a second by Bret Jeffries.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea,
Douglas Olsen: Yea
Comments from the Audience
There was no public comment.
Awards and Recognitions
President Ron Johnson commended the following staff:
- Thank you to all of the summer custodial staff for getting the building & grounds & buses ready for 23-24 school year: Tod Wenger, Mike Johnson, Rick Caudillo, Sue Talkington, Kelly Rundell, Brittney Vella, & Ron Vella.
- Angie Hilbert, Social Studies teacher, worked with ESU Social Studies specialists to create a unit that will be a part of the 2023 Social Studies Inquiry Project. This unit will be available for any Nebraska Social Studies teachers to implement in their own classrooms.
- Rick Caudillo for hosting the 50th Anniversary Alum Tour of the Class of '73 on August 5th.
Reports
Superintendent
Communication/Community
- Welcome back letter sent out to all parents.
- Two summer issues of the Scratching Post mailed.
- Video recording produced for Banner County Historical Society - Tim Nolting - Pioneer Historian
- Banner County Historical Society Yard Sale on August 19 advertised in the Scratching Post
- Foundation Calendar ads and calendar listings completed. Purchase due August 18.
- Class of 1973 celebrated 50 years, including a tour of the school hosted by Mr. Caudillo.
Facilities & Transportation
- Track and HS wing repairs completed!
- Replacement pick up needed! Extensive repairs anticipated. Bid process on the agenda for discussion/approval.
- Nebraska Energy Office 1% financing approved through Banner Capital Bank.
- AMERESCO contract and permission to proceed on the agenda for approval.
Student Programs & Enrollment
- Current 2023-2024 Enrollment - 132 PK = 7; K-5= 60; 6-8= 32; 9-12=33; LL-1
REAP Grant Awarded - $16.585
FFVP Grant Awarded - $4,524
Personnel
- Ads posted in Harrisburg and in the Western Nebraska Observer for PK paraprofessional. Ads also posted in the August Scratching Post for para and part-time evening custodian.
- Cassi Parker hired as Health Paraprofessional (4 days) and bus monitor on the SB/Gering route.
- Larry Adams hired by NE JAG
Principal
- New Teacher/Para Orientation on August 11th- this involved 8 staff members.
- Thank you to Stephanie Stricker, Wittni Boettcher, Katie Armstrong, Chris Cooper, and Sara Steer for presenting that day
- In-Service on August 14th - included Safety Protocol Review for all staff, Other meetings: Transportation, Substitute Teachers, Coaches/Sponsors, Teacher/Para General Procedures.
- We are participating in the WORDS project as a control group school district. In exchange for sharing our DIBELS reading assessment data, the cost of the DIBELS testing will be covered by the WORDS grant.
- While having some students transfer out, we have had multiple families contact us in the last two weeks about enrolling at Banner County. In nearly every case, the family had received recommendations from someone that is familiar with BC Schools.
- I attended Administrator Days in Kearney on July 26-28. Among the sessions attended were topics related to Special Education, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), NSCAS testing, and Hot Topics in School Law
- Fall HS Practices have started - 8 FB Boys, 10 VB Girls
Board of Education
- A date and time was set for the Budget Workshop – August 24 th at 7:00PM
- All members are registered for the NASB Area Workshop at the Gering Civic Center on August 23rd at 4:30-8:30pm (meeting starts at 5:00pm)
- Dr. Johnson reported on the Presidents Zoom meeting. Many legislative changes will impact policy.
Consent Agenda
Motion to approve the consent agenda. Passed with a motion by Laura Baker and a second by Bret Jeffries.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea,
Douglas Olsen: Yea
- Approve the Minutes of the July 10th, 2023 regular meeting.
-Approve the payment of bills and salaries totaling $319,023.50 for the August 14th, 2023, regular meeting. - Authority to Pay Bills through End of August 2023.
- Approve transfer of $150,000 from the Depreciation Fund to the General Fund.
- Approve Amended Interlocal Agreement for VALTS.
- Designate Banner Capital Bank as Depository for District Funds.
- Designate Western Nebraska Observer as the District's Legal Newspaper.
Committee Reports
Transportation and Grounds: Discussion re: need to replace school pick-up.
American Civics, Curriculum, and Technology: No report.
Policy Review: A date was set for a Policy Committee on Sept. 6 th at 6:00PM.
Personnel and Negotiations: No report.
Hearing on Amendment to the 2022-2023 Activities Fund Budget
Open a public hearing at 7:44PM for the purpose of hearing comments and/or questions on an amendment to the 2022-2023 Activities Fund Budget. Passed with a motion by Bret Jeffries and a second by Douglas Olsen.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea,
Douglas Olsen: Yea
At 7:51PM, the Board closed the hearing on the amendment to the 2022-2023 Activities Fund Budget. President Johnson declared the meeting in regular session at that time.
Adopt Amended Budget for the 2022-2023 Activities Fund
Adopt the amended 2022-2023 Activities Fund budget of $131,000. The amendment does not change the property tax request. Passed with a motion by Laura Baker and a second by Bret Jeffries.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea,
Douglas Olsen: Yea
Approve Energy Finance Project Agreement with AMERESCO
Motion to table action on Project Development Energy Services Agreement (PDESA) with AMERESCO. Passed with a motion by Laura Baker and a second by Jake Knaub.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea,
Douglas Olsen: Yea
Approve Request for Bids to Sell GMC Sierra Pickup and Purchase low-mileage Replacement
Pickup
Motion to seek bids to purchase a low-mileage pickup and seek offers to sell the 1997 GMC Sierra pick-up as is. Passed with a motion by Bret Jeffries and a second by Megan Allen.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea,
Douglas Olsen: Yea
Approve policy revision, 2nd reading
Approve 2nd reading revision to policy 504.20 as presented. Passed with a motion by Megan Allen and a second by Bret Jeffries.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea,
Douglas Olsen: Yea
Next Meeting
Budget Work Session: August 24th, 2023, 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting: September 11th, 2023, 7:00 PM
Meeting Adjourned
Adjourn the meeting at 9:05 PM. Passed with a motion by Jake Knaub and a second by Megan Allen.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea,
Douglas Olsen: Yea
Banner County School Schedule of Bills/Claims
AmericInn Kearney NE Admin Days Lodging $521.00; Brandon Avila Utilities Refund $145.58; Elizabeth Bohac Utilities Refund $115.70; Ricardo Caudillo Utilities Refund $24.79; Connecting Point Copier Contracts $315.00; RGB Enterprises, Inc Letterhead & Handbooks $1,320.00; DAS State Acct Network Service Charges $267.63; Ebsco Subscriptions $1,298.55; ESU #13 June & July Billing $19,825.98; Floyd's Bus #6, 7, & 9 Services $11,838.66; Banner County School Account Reimbursement $675.09; GreatAmerica Leasing Corp Copier Leases $250.00; Debra Griebe Utilities Refund $166.61; Kinsey Groves State Fair Meal Money $1,000.00; Harrisburg Water System Water Usage $724.42; High West Energy, Inc. Electricity Usage $2,918.89; Troy Holmberg Mileage Reimbursement $465.00; Home Depot Portable Air Conditioner $449.00; Home Depot Pro Cleaning Supplies $461.89; JJPratt Enterprises, LLC Gym Floor Refinishing $1,904.00; JourneyEd.com, Inc Adobe-VIP Licensing $500.00; Krueger International, Inc. Classroom Seating $4,284.00; Kaitlin Knaub Summer Tuition Reimb $1,357.62; Logoz ame Plates $84.00; Luikens Well & Pump Service, Inc. Service Call $262.00; Menards Supplies $238.49; NASB Area Membership Meeting $623.00; National Art & School Supplies, Inc Supplies $178.72; NCSA Membership Renewal $636.00; Ne Safety Center Bus Trainings $540.00; Pack Rat Enterprises, Inc Trash Removal $350.00; Panhandle Coop Gas for Mowers $1,029.70; Peetz Farmers Coop Propane $3,477.54; Project Lead The Way Hosting Fee $1,000.00; Quick Care Medical Services Bus Driver Physcials $250.00; rSchoolToday Additional Training Time $14.67; Sandberg Implement, Inc. Parts $147.63; Staples Office Supplies $28.89; Kurt Tremain Bus Driver Skill Testing $200.00; Brittney Vella Utilities & Deposit Refund $345.21; Western Nebraska Observer Legal Notices & Ads $260.06; Wells Fargo Card Services Travel & Supplies $1,783.32; Wells Fargo Card Services Travel & Supplies $71.21; Wells Fargo Card Services Time Clock, Travel, Supplies $690.20; Wells Fargo Card Services Travel $93.05; Wiznerd Development Group LLC IT Support $910.00; 125 Clearing Account August 2023 Payroll $1,015.00; AFLAC August 2023 Payroll $1,085.18; Banner Capital Bank August 2023 Payroll $36,677.23; Banner Capital Bank August 2023 Payroll $5,944.10; Banner County School August 2023 Payroll $1,125.00; Blue Cross & Blue Shield Ne August 2023 Payroll $49,830.71; Colonial Life August 2023 Payroll $413.36; Banner County School August 2023 Payroll $32,237.89; Horace Mann Insurance Company August 2023 Payroll $329.80; LegalShield August 2023 Payroll $101.65; MG Trust Company August 2023 Payroll $7,855.14; State of Nebraska August 2023 Payroll $5,371.59; Principal Life Insurance Company August 2023 Payroll $836.17; VSP August 2023 Payroll $384.57; August 2023 Payroll $111,773.06
