Minutes of the Banner County School District
Board of Education Meeting
Monday, December 11, 2023
Notice of the Monday, December 11, 2023, Board of Education Regular Meeting was posted at
Harrisburg U.S. Post Office, Banner Capital Bank, Banner County Courthouse, Banner County
School, the Banner County web-site, 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 7:02 PM, in the school cafeteria.
The Nebraska Open Meetings Act was displayed in the cafeteria.
Roll Call/Welcome
Present: Laura Baker, Bret Jeffries, Ronald Johnson, Jake Knaub, and Douglas Olsen.
Also present: Evelyn Browne, Superintendent/BOE Secretary and Troy Holmberg, Principal.
Motion to excuse BOE member Megan Allen from the December 11th, 2023, regular
meeting of the Banner County BOE. Passed with a motion by Laura Baker and seconded by
Bret Jeffries.
Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Nay, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen:
Nay
Pledge of Allegiance
President Ron Johnson invited members and guests to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Agenda
Approve agenda for the December 11th, 2023 Banner County Regular Board of Education meeting.
Passed with a motion by Bret Jeffries and a second by Laura Baker.
Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea
Comments from the Audience
There was no public comment.
Presentations
-Students of the Month: Kelbi Martin – Grade 2 and Colesen Gilbert – Grade 8
-4-Day School Week and OEF review: Dr. Browne provided an overview of the NASB presentation
with comments from the faculty meeting presentation on Dec, 1
Awards and Recognitions
President Ron Johnson commended the following students, staff, and patrons:
-Students of the Month: Kelbi Martin, Grade 2 and Colesen Gilbert, Grade 8
-Grace Fankhauser and Isaac Olsen auditioned and were accepted for High Plains Band to be held
in February at Chadron State College.
-4 students participated in the FFA District LDE contest in Chadron on Nov. 15th:
Isaac Olsen placed 2nd in Senior Public Speaking and qualified for the state convention
Adam Knaub & Wyatt Reichenberg placed 10th in Ag Demonstration
Andie West placed 11th in Sr. Public Speaking
-Mrs. Wounded Arrow and all the students who performed in the annual Christmas Concert on
Dec. 7th.
-The 6th-grade students who developed, marketed, and sold their original products at the
Entrepreneur Extravaganza: Quincy Boettcher, Gerald Clark, Rory Jeffries, Kambrie Loutzenhiser,
Joshua McGowan, Holden Mossberg, Tripp Mossberg, Samuel Onstott, Destineey Soto, and Callie
Woodral
Reports
Superintendent
COMMUNITY
-Christmas Concert and Entrepreneur Extravaganza was very well attended.
-Mat-Cats Youth Wrestling is officially underway! Ryan Olsen & Kyle Boettcher will be coaching this
year!
-Thank you received from Foodbank for the Heartland for canned food donation
-Purple Air monitor is live. Patrons can check air quality by going to https://map.purpleair.com a
link will be available on our school web-site
Facilities & Transportation
- November Facilities Report (attached)
- Replacement tractor and mower purchased. John Deere 3020 Gas with 3500 hours and rebuilt
motor ($7,555) . John Deere 613 Rotary Mower in great shape 540 pto ($1,127.50). Purchase
without public letting approved at 8/8/2022 BOE meeting.
-AMERESCO project update: Interior and exterior LED lighting completed except for the corridors.
Student Programs & Enrollment
-Current 2023-2024 Enrollment - 138 PK = 8; K-5= 63; 6-8= 32; 9-12=35; LL=1
-Option IN - 40 Option Out - 16
-High Ability Learner grant of $2,342 awarded
-Supply Chain Assistance (SCA) Grant of $7,914 awarded
-Farm to School Grant of $5,000 awarded - Nebraska Young Farmer Program, Introducing Specialty
Crop Production in collaboration with the Center for Rural Affairs.
Personnel
-Stephanie Stricker (5 th grade) will complete Level 1 training to be eligible to drive a 14 passenger
bus
-District continues on our quest to hire activity, substitute, and Spring route CDL drivers!
Principal
Student of the Month (SOTM)- Complete list of nominees for November
Eli Allen Riley Allen
Charles Cooper Grace Fankhauser
Reed Jeffries Coleson Gilbert
Camden Knaub Rory Jeffries
Kelbi Martin Kambree Loutzenhiser
Lillie Martin Leeigh McGowan
Khloe Parker Isaac Olsen
-Elementary teachers have constructed a "shout-out" board for students and staff to be
recognized by others throughout the month. Recognized students receive a small prize following
the SOTM presentation.
-We hosted the D2-6 Play Production contest on November 29 th - day went smoothly, thank you to
coaches Ayden Vrtatko and Stephanie Farro and Kari Gifford along with performers for all their
time and effort.
-Drug Dog Sweep/Apprehension Demonstration - December 7 th - Thank you to Banner County
Sheriff’s Office and the Gering Police Department.
-Christmas Concert- December 7 th - Thank you to Sandy Wounded-Arrow and students
-Entrepreneurship Exhibit - Our sixth grade students had a wonderful variety of products on
display prior to the Christmas concert. Thank you to Kari Gifford for establishing this project based
learning opportunity.
-Varsity Girls Basketball team ended a drought with a win over Minatare on December 4 th . While
we typically avoid getting caught up in wins and losses, this is a notable achievement for the
coaching staff and players.
-Katie Armstrong, Stephanie Stricker, Kinsey Groves, Jessica Stauffer, and myself attended the
NeMTSS workshop at ESU 13. MTSS stands for Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, essentially what
schools do to help ensure success among all students. MTSS is directly tied to the school
improvement process. We are planning for this team to meet on a monthly basis (primarily during
OEF times). In January, we will have all teaching staff complete a short survey on core beliefs
related to instruction. This will provide a baseline for future work.
-Katie Armstrong, Priscilla Stauffer, and Angie Hilbert will be attending the Social Studies Shifts and
Resources workshop at ESU 13 on December 14 th . The focus of the workshop is to discuss
standards, instructional shifts, and high quality instructional materials (HQIM).
-First semester grades will be finalized on January 3 rd . This is a teacher in-service/work day. Barring
any issues, report cards will be mailed on the 5 th .
Board of Education
-2024 Election Certification has been received from the County Clerk.
Incumbents up for re-election are: Megan Allen, Laura Baker, and Jake Knaub. They must file for
re-election at the Court House by February 15:
-The Staff Holiday Dinner is scheduled at the Hampton Inn on Dec. 13th at 6:30pm
Committee Reports
Transportation and Grounds: No report.
American Civics, Curriculum, and Technology: No report.
Policy Review: No report.
Personnel and Negotiations: BCEA voted against opening the contract
Consent Agenda
Motion to approve the consent agenda Passed with a motion by Douglas Olsen and a second by
Jake Knaub.
Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea
-Approve the Minutes of the November 13th, 2023 regular meeting.
-Approve the payment of bills and salaries totaling $323,164.48 for the December 11th, 2023,
regular meeting.
Approve policy revisions on 2nd reading
Approve revisions to policy 801.01 Student Transportation on 2nd reading Passed with a motion
by Bret Jeffries and a second by Jake Knaub.
Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea
Approve 1st reading revision to policy
Approve 1st reading revision to Policy 509.53 Participation of sixth graders in junior high athletics
as presented Passed with a motion by Laura Baker and a second by Bret Jeffries.
Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea
Accept Board Member Resignation
Accept the resignation of Board of Education member Bret Jeffries, with appreciation for his
service, effective February 1st, 2024 Passed with a motion by Laura Baker and a second by Ronald
Johnson.
Bret Jeffries: Abstain (With Conflict), Laura Baker: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea,
Douglas Olsen: Yea
Approve Superintendent's Contract
Approve the superintendent's contract with a salary of $117,300 for 2024-2025. Passed with a
motion by Ronald Johnson and a second by Douglas Olsen.
Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea
Next Meeting
Regular Meeting: January 8th, 2024, 7:00 PM
Meeting Adjourned
Adjourn the meeting at 8:15 PM. Passed with a motion by Jake Knaub and a second by Bret Jeffries.
Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea
Banner County School Schedule of Bills/Claims
Kraupies Real Estate & Auctioneers Tractor & Mower $8,677.50; Evelyn Browne Mileage &
Meals $686.25; Cash-Wa Distributing Supplies $942.46; CDW Government, Inc. CIPA Filter
$1,333.50; Connecting Point Copies $692.52; DAS State Acctg Network Service Charges
$267.63; ESU #13 Services $15,815.82; Floyd's Parts & Supplies $228.05; Frank Parts Supplies
$192.89; Banner County School Account Reimbursement $464.21; GreatAmerica Leasing Corp.
Copier Leases $250.00; Harrisburg Water System Usage $605.02; High West Energy, Inc. Usage
$3,147.60; Hilton Omaha Conference Lodging $317.00; Home Depot Supplies $143.97; Jostens
Inc. Caps & Gowns $395.45; Jake Knaub Mileage & Meals $671.25; Marriott Conference Lodging
$338.00; Matheson Tri-Gas Inc. Switch for Plasma Table $67.81; NASB Education Law Book
$80.00; NKC Tire/McWhorter's Tire Tires & Repairs $1,225.98; Pack Rat Enterprises, Inc. Trash
Removal $350.00; Panhandle Cooperative Assoc. Supplies $41.97; Panhandle Cooperative
Association Gas & Diesel Usage $4,682.49; Peetz Farmers Coop Propane $255.48; James Revelle
Coaching Certificates $190.00; Sandberg Implement, Inc. Bobcat Service $952.05; School
Specialty, LLC Supplies $164.50; Snell Services, Inc. Repair Service $295.00; Soar Pediatric
Therapy LLC October PT Services $1,709.60; Staples Advantage Supplies $97.66; Team Auto
Center Repairs $2,336.80; Thompson Glass, Inc. Window Installation $290.00; Walmart Medical
Supplies $43.14; Western Nebraska Observer Legal Ads & Notices $111.12; Wells Fargo Card
Services Supplies & Postage $1,558.45; Wells Fargo Card Services Time Clock & Supplies
$737.22; Wiznerd Development Group LLC IT Support $780.00; 125 Clearing Account December
2023 Payroll $1,114.47; AFLAC December 2023 Payroll $575.38; AFLAC December 2023 Payroll
$996.36; Banner Capital Bank December 2023 Payroll $40,652.91; Banner Capital Bank
December 2023 Payroll $6,055.66; Banner County School December 2023 Payroll $970.00;
Banner County School December 2023 Payroll $1,400.00; BCBS December 2023 Payroll
$50,467.58; Colonial Life December 2023 Payroll $111.58; Colonial Life December 2023 Payroll
$507.17; Credit Management Services, Inc. December 2023 Payroll $375.11; Banner County
School December 2023 Payroll $35,219.32; Horace Mann December 2023 Payroll $149.83;
LegalShield December 2023 Payroll $101.65; MG Trust Company December 2023 Payroll
$9,181.82; State of Nebraska December 2023 Payroll $5,630.53; Principal December 2023
Payroll $786.73; VSP December 2023 Payroll $435.32; December 2023 Payroll $117,294.67
