Minutes of the Banner County School District
Board of Education Meeting
Monday, January 8, 2024
Notice of the Monday, January 8, 2024, 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 7:00 PM, in the school cafeteria.
The Nebraska Open Meetings Act was displayed in the cafeteria.
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 Troy Holmberg, Principal.
Pledge of Allegiance
President Ron Johnson invited members and guests to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Agenda
Approve agenda for the January 8th, 2024 Banner County Regular Board of Education meeting.
Passed with a motion by Bret Jeffries and a second by Laura Baker.
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.
Presentations
-Dr. Browne presented December Students of the Month: Kort Boettcher, Grade 3 and Leeigh
McGowan, Grade 9
-Principal Holmberg presented the district performance data and AQuESST information.
Awards and Recognitions
President Ron Johnson commended the following students, staff, and patrons:
-Students of the Month: Kort Boettcher, Grade 3 and Leeigh McGowan, Grade 9
-Staff members and students who made Breakfast with Santa a great community morning! Mrs.
Armstrong, Mrs. Boettcher, Ms. Bohac, Mr. Caudillo, Mrs. Goranson, Mrs. Groves, Mr. Holmberg,
Mrs. Knaub, Mrs. Parsons, Mrs. Stricker, Makynna Boettcher, Nathan Clement, Micah Dittbenner,
Lydia Grant, Marie Hein, Isaac Olsen, Brendyn Onstott, and Jacob Parsons.
-Also, thanks to Megan and Eli Allen, Rick Henderson, and Shawn Felkins for the wagon rides!
-Isaac Olsen, Brendyn Onstott, and Grace Fankhauser have been chosen to represent our school in
the Oregon Trails Band. They will perform with students from Scottsbluff, Gering, Chadron, and as
far away as Ogallala and Hershey in Bridgeport on Jan. 8th.
-Mesa Faden, Grade 2, Peewee champ in barrel racing, and Tacey Cross, Grade 4, Junior Division
champ in goat tying at the Historic Saddle Club rodeo events.
-AR Stars! 7 elementary students have over 50 AR points this semester AND 10 elementary
students have over 40 AR points this semester. Elementary students earn .5-1 point per each book
read!
Annual Reorganization of BOE
Nominate Ron Johnson for board president. Passed with a motion by Jake Knaub and a second by
Bret Jeffries.
Ronald Johnson: Abstain (With Conflict), Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea,
Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea
Nominate Douglas Olsen for board vice-president. Passed with a motion by Laura Baker and a
second by Jake Knaub.
Douglas Olsen: Abstain (With Conflict), Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea,
Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea
Nominate Jake Knaub for treasurer. Passed with a motion by Douglas Olsen and a second by Bret
Jeffries.
Jake Knaub: Abstain (With Conflict), Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea, Ronald
Johnson: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea
Appointment of Committee Members
Move to approve the appointment of the following BOE committee members: Transportation and
Grounds: Douglas Olsen (Chair), Jake Knaub; Personnel and Negotiations: Ron Johnson (Chair),
Douglas Olsen, Laura Baker; American Civics, Curriculum, and Technology: Jake Knaub (Chair),
Megan Allen; Policy Review: Ron Johnson (Chair), Laura Baker, Megan Allen. 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
Re-adopt Policies, Regulations, and Handbooks for Governance of the District
Motion to re-adopt all existing policies, regulations, and handbooks for the governance of the
district. Passed with a motion by Laura Baker and a second by Douglas Olsen.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea,
Douglas Olsen: Yea
Adopt Annual Board Calendar and Board Meeting Schedule for 2024
Adopt Annual Board Calendar and Board Meeting Schedule for 2024-2025 Passed with a motion
by Bret Jeffries and a second by Laura Baker.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea,
Douglas Olsen: Yea
Authorization to Sign Checks
Authorize Ron Johnson (President), Douglas Olsen (Vice-President), Jake Knaub (Treasurer), and
Evelyn Browne (Secretary) as signers for all accounts held at Banner Capital Bank. Authorize Troy
Holmberg, Kari Gifford, and Wittni Boettcher as additional signers on General Fund 2, Activity, and
Nutrition accounts. Two signatures are required on all checks. Passed with a motion by Jake Knaub
and a second by Bret Jeffries.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea,
Douglas Olsen: Yea
Appoint the Non-discrimination Compliance Coordinator for 2024.
Appoint Dr. Evelyn Browne as the Non-discrimination Compliance Coordinator for 2024. Passed
with a motion by Bret Jeffries and a second by Laura Baker.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea,
Douglas Olsen: Yea
Appoint District Title IX Coordinator for 2024.
Appoint Wittni Boettcher as the district Title IX Coordinator for 2024. Passed with a motion by Bret
Jeffries and a second by Jake Knaub.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Bret Jeffries: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea,
Douglas Olsen: Yea
Reports
Superintendent
Community
-Foundation Winter Clothing drive took place December
Facilities & Transportation
- Submitting application for EPA Clean Bus rebate - two electric buses with charging stations
Student Programs & Enrollment
- Current 2023-2024 Enrollment - 145 PK = 8; K-5= 66; 6-8= 33; 9-12=37; LL-1
- Option IN - 43 Option Out - 18
- Driver Education starts Jan 19 th .
- Safe2Help anonymous call line set up - rollout end of January
- CTE grant of $7,500 awarded for CTE program support
Personnel
- Bus drivers needed - activities, route in March
-Anticipated needs: tech support, music, computers, accounting, personal finance, business, library
Principal
NSCAS Growth/MAP Testing- We will begin Winter session testing on January 15 th
This is interim testing to track growth during the year. All students in grades K-8 take either the
NSCAS Growth or MAP assessments in the winter.
In the spring, all students in grades 3-8 complete the NSCAS summative assessments in English
Language Arts and Mathematics. Grades 5 and 8 complete the Science Assessment also
Students Nominated for SOTM-December
Eli Allen Makynna Boettcher
Fernanda Bocanegra Quincy Boettcher
Kort Boettcher Marie Hein
Amiah Cooper Kambree Hottell
Charles Cooper Rory Jeffries
Rylie Jeffries Logan Mason
Camden Knaub Leeigh McGowan
Jaxson Loutzenhiser Tate Olsen
e-Learning
We will be constructing an e-Learning plan for grades 6-12. This would be implemented if we need
to make up hours due to inclement weather. Some considerations are:
1. Schedule for the e-Learning day 3. Make-up for those without connectivity
2. Attendance Procedures 4. Communicating the need to parents
First Semester Report Cards
Will be mailed out on Tuesday (Jan. 9 th )
Oregon Trail Honor Band - Today (Jan. 8 th ) in Bridgeport
Brendyn Onscott, Grace Fankhauser, Isaac Olsen
FFA- CDE contests in Scottsbluff this Wednesday (Jan. 10 th )
Board of Education
The Winter Retreat was set for February 10, 2024 at 8:00am in the School Library. Members
should submit agenda items by February 8 and complete the on-line self-assessment by February
5th. The evaluation survey link will be sent to all members by email.
Notice of the Board Vacancy will be posted and applicants will be interviewed at the March 11,
2024 regular meeting.
Committee Reports
Transportation and Grounds: No report.
American Civics, Curriculum, and Technology: No report.
Policy Review: No report. Two polices on agenda for review.
Personnel and Negotiations: No report.
Consent Agenda
Motion to approve the consent agenda. Passed with a motion by Bret Jeffries 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 the Minutes of the December 11th, 2023 regular meeting.
-Approve the payment of bills and salaries totaling $304,168.54 for the January 8th, 2024 regular
meeting
-Approve mileage reimbursement rate at $.67 effective January 1, 2024
Approve 2nd reading revision to policy
Approve 2nd reading revision to Policy 509.53 Participation of sixth graders in junior high athletics
as presented. 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
Next Meeting
Winter Retreat: February 10, 2024, 8:00am
Regular Meeting: February 12th, 2024, 7:00 PM
Meeting Adjourned
Adjourn the meeting at 8:03 PM. Passed with a motion by Jake Knaub and a second by Bret
Jeffries.
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
Amplify Education, Inc 6th Grade Science $94.69; Connecting Point Copies $624.06; Crossroads
Music Repairs $265.00; DAS State Acctg Network Service Charges $267.63; Floyd's Bus #2
Repairs $378.13; Banner County School Account Reimbursement $2,381.01; Grainger Supplies
$561.76; GreatAmerica Leasing Corp Copier Leases $327.22; Hampton Inn & Suites Staff Dinner
$1,950.00; Harris School Solutions Tax Forms $222.30; High West Energy Usage $2,708.29;
Home Depot Pro Supplies $343.01; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 6th Grade Social Studies
$409.33; Kaitlin Knaub Credits Reimbursement $1,350.00; KSB School Law PC LLO Legal Services
$32.50; Lookout Books Library Books $282.45; Matheson Tri-Gas Inc Supplies & Materials
$4,950.56; Menards Supplies $14.95; NCSA Membership Renewal $385.00; Nebraska/Central
Equipment Parts & Supplies $534.09; Nebraska Safety & Fire Equip Inspection & Batteries
$586.00; NKC Tire/McWhorter's Tire Repair $21.00; Pack Rat Enterprises, Inc Trash Removal
$350.00; JW Pepper & Son Inc Music Supplies $249.99; Rauner & Associates Audit $12,255.06;
rSchoolToday/VNN Renewal $334.40; Snell Services, Inc Device Testing $230.00; Soar Pediatric
Therapy LLC PT Services $1,075.26; Sparqdata Solutions Annual Subscriptions $3,920.00;
Staples Advantage Supplies $77.97; Walmart Supplies $176.98; Western Nebraska Observer
Legal Notices & Ads $125.72; Wells Fargo Card Services Supplies $229.66; Wiznerd
Development Group LLC IT Support & Consultation $828.75; Motor Fuels Division 4th Qtr 2023
$753.00; Panhandle Cooperative Association Gas & Diesel $4,280.06; 125 Clearing Account
January 2024 Payroll $1,115.59; AFLAC January 2024 Payroll $575.38; AFLAC January 2024
Payroll $994.00; Banner Capital Bank January 2024 Payroll $36,759.80; Banner Capital Bank
January 2024 Payroll $6,055.66; Banner County School January 2024 Payroll $970.00; Banner
County School January 2024 Payroll $1,325.00; BCBS of NE January 2024 Payroll $49,592.90;
Colonial Life January 2024 Payroll $111.58; Colonial Life January 2024 Payroll $506.11; Credit
Management Services, Inc January 2024 Payroll $375.11; Banner County School January 2024
Payroll $33,636.39; Horace Mann January 2024 Payroll $149.83; LegalShield January 2024
Payroll $101.65; MG Trust Company January 2024 Payroll $9,160.61; State of Nebraska January
2024 Payroll $5,273.43; Principal January 2024 Payroll $786.73; VSP January 2024 Payroll
$435.76; January 2024 Payroll $112,667.18
