Minutes of the Banner County School District
Board of Education Meeting
Monday, April 8, 2024
Notice of the Monday, April 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 7:08 PM, in the school cafeteria.
The Nebraska Open Meetings Act is displayed in the cafeteria.
New member, Ryan Olsen, was sworn in by the Board Secretary.
Pledge of Allegiance
President Ron Johnson invited members and guests to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call/Welcome
Present: Laura Baker, Ronald Johnson, Jake Knaub, Douglas Olsen, and Ryan Olsen.
Also present: Evelyn Browne, Superintendent/BOE Secretary and Troy Holmberg, Principal.
Motion to excuse BOE member Megan Allen from the April 8, 2024 Regular meeting of the Banner
County BOE. Passed with a motion by Laura Baker and a second by Douglas Olsen.
Laura Baker: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea, Ryan Olsen: Yea
Approval of Agenda
Approve the agenda for the April 8th, 2024 Regular Meeting of the Banner County Board of
Education. Passed with a motion by Jake Knaub and a second by Laura Baker.
Laura Baker: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea, Ryan Olsen: Yea
Awards and Recognition
President Johnson commended the following students, staff, and patrons:
-Junior High & High School Quiz Bowl went to MAC in Creek Valley.
Junior High placed 3rd.
Wyatt Reichenberg & Keira Bolander received All-Conference Honorable Mention.
-Geography Bee Winners 3-5: Bailie Gilbert 1 st , Israel Garrett 2 nd , Railin Mesteth 3rd
-Geography Bee Winners 6-8: Colesen Gilbert 1 st , Luke Olsen 2 nd , Braedyn Bojorquez 3rd
-New NHS members were inducted on March 28th: Makynna Boettcher, Luke Olsen, and Jackson
Onstott
-Mrs. Angie Hilbert (7-12 Social Studies) for sponsoring the 2024 Close-Up Trip for Grace
Fankhauser, Andie West, Karleigh Leslie, Brendyn Onstott, Nate McGowan, & Isaac Olsen.
-Mrs. Pamela Olsen for spearheading the Close-Up students' fundraising efforts for the trip from
business and individual sponsors.
-Charlee Vrbas (2nd) for a perfect bracket in our March Tournament of the Books; she won a bag
of gummy worms for being a great "bookworm!"
-The band received excellent ratings at MAC contest on March 26th.
Isaac Olsen got a 1st place medal for his trombone solo.
Keira and Janie got excellent ratings for their solos and also their duet
Presentations
-Dr. Browne presented Students of the Month for the Month of March: Raelynn Felkins, grade 1;
Jeremiah “JJ” Bennett, Grade 2; Kassie Loutzenhiser, grade 7.
-Isaac Olsen presented information on the Close-Up 2024 trip to Washington DC and New York
City.
Comments from the Audience
There was no public comment.
Reports
Superintendent
Community
-LB 43 passed. Beginning in July, the Open Meetings Act will require each public body to
“allow members of the public an opportunity to speak at each meeting.” It also
establishes the “First Freedom Act,” which protects religious expression and exercise
with particular protections for wearing tribal regalia on school grounds and at school
functions.
-Improved investment opportunity with Banner Capital Bank. Current Special Building
Fund rate increase to 5.04%. CDs will rollover to IntraFi Cash Service (ICS) accounts as
they mature with the same rate.
Facilities & Transportation
-Call for bids sent out and Suburban for sale posted.
-Many thanks to the staff members who are subbing in for routes to cover the town route and
end of year activities!
Student Programs & Enrollment
-Current 2023-2024 Enrollment – 141 PK = 8; K-5= 64; 6-8= 31; 9-12=35, LL=1, VALTS=1;
PBDT=1
Option IN: 44 Option OUT: 18
- Food service survey completed. (See attached)
-JAG program discontinued due to personnel issue. Applications for 24-25 are being accepted.
-Calendar change to allow the summer projects to get started are being considered. As of April,
we have 4.5 instructional days in excess.
Personnel
-Morgan Meier on the agenda for approval. Her assignment will include tech support, library,
computer applications, and pre-Algebra.
-Mical Cooper on the agenda for approval. Her assignment will include PK-12 music, vocal, and
instrumental; possibly music history, theory, and composition.
-Cameron Geary on the agenda for approval. His assignment will include business and
accounting, engineering and design; possibly aerodynamics, history of aviation, robotics.
Principal
Student of the Month Nominees
The nominees for the elementary:
Camden Knaub, Amiah Cooper, Kinlee Olsen , Addy Watts, Raelynn Felkins, Willow Turner,
Bailie Gilbert, Bronson Smith, Railin Meseth, Izzy Chairez, Charles Cooper, Andy McGowan,
Klara Reece, Lillie Martin, Trenton Knaub, Gabe Olsen, Aili Cooper, JJ Bennett, Colbie Knaub
The nominees for the middle and high school:
Natali Cordero , Kassie Loutzenhiser, Maddie May, Tate Olsen, Gianni Green, Hugo Rodriguez,
Micah Dittbenner, Kesmera Palu
Junior High Track- 16 team members
First meet at Leyton on April 3 rd – Seven placers (five girls, two boys)
State Testing Coming Up in April – Starting April 15 th
NSCAS English Language Arts and Math: Grades 3-8
NSCAS Science: Grades 5 and 8
ACT-Juniors- April 18 th
NWEA MAP Growth- Grades K-2
NHS hosting Blood Drive on April 12 th
Staff will be involved in CPI training on the 12th
Dental Day: Grades 2-12 on the 11th, K-1 on the 17th
High School Scheduling Update
Fields Trip in April
Kindergarten on the 24th – Legacy of the Plains
Second Grade on the 30th – Bridgeport Agplosion
Board of Education
President Johnson reminded members about NASB updates.
Consent Agenda
Motion to approve the consent agenda. Passed with a motion by Douglas Olsen and a second by
Laura Baker.
Laura Baker: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea, Ryan Olsen: Yea
-Approve the Minutes of the March 11th, 2024 regular meeting.
-Approve the payment of bills and salaries totaling $319,632.89 for the April 8th, 2024, regular
meeting.
Committee Reports
Transportation and Grounds: No report.
American Civics, Curriculum, and Technology: No report.
Policy Review: No report.
Personnel and Negotiations: No report.
Approve Certified Personnel Contracts
Approve teaching contracts for Morgan Meier at MA Step 11, FTE 1.1; Mical Cooper at BA + 9 Step
1; and Cameron Geary at BA + 45, Step 1. Passed with a motion by Douglas Olsen and a second by
Laura Baker.
Jake Knaub: Nay, Laura Baker: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea, Ryan Olsen: Yea
Approve Purchase of 7-12 ELA Program and Materials
Approve purchase of 7-12 ELA Program, materials, and 6-year digital licensing from SAVVAS for
$16, 653.44. Passed with a motion by Jake Knaub and a second by Douglas Olsen.
Laura Baker: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea, Ryan Olsen: Yea
Approve 2nd reading of revised policy
Approve 2nd reading revision of Policy 611.07 Graduation Requirements, as presented. Passed
with a motion by Ronald Johnson and a second by Laura Baker.
Laura Baker: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea, Ryan Olsen: Yea
Next Meeting
Regular Meeting: May 13th, 2024, 7:00 PM
Meeting Adjourned
Adjourn the meeting at 8:33 PM. Passed with a motion by Jake Knaub and a second by Laura
Baker.
Laura Baker: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea, Ryan Olsen: Yea
Banner County School Schedule of Bills/Claims
Katie Armstrong Classroom Expense $99.89; Bayard Public Schools Quiz Bowl Entry Fee $25.00;
Evelyn Browne Mileage Reimbursement $187.60; Connecting Point Copies $626.94; DAS State
Acctg. Network Service Charges $267.63; Discount School Supply Supplies $181.33; ESU #13
Services, VALTS, Conference $13,774.94; ESU #13 Honor Roll Banner $3.60; Floyd's Repairs to
Bus #1 $4,466.14; Banner County School Account Reimbursement $940.87; Grainger Supplies
$184.60; GreatAmerica Leasing Corp Copier Leases $250.00; Kinsey Groves Classroom Expense
$50.51; Harrisburg Water System Water Usage $562.22; High West Energy, Inc. Utilities
$2,757.95; Hilton Omaha Conference Lodging $354.00; Home Depot Pro Supplies $275.88;
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt GoMath K-5 1yr License $2,664.49; Inland Truck Parts Company
Repairs Bus #9 $1,604.13; JMC, Inc. Annual Subscription $2,791.27; Jostens Inc. Graduation
Medal $17.00; Kaitlin Knaub Classroom Expense $64.18; Lakeshore Learning Materials LLC
Supplies $244.43; Sarah Mason State Spelling Bee Reimb $200.00; Menards Supplies $106.27;
Midamerica Books Library Books $191.60; Mobius Communications Company Phone System
Repairs $334.57; Mohawk Factoring LLC Carpet Tiles $5,391.84; Nebraska Dept of Education
Data Conference Registration $300.00; NKC Tire/McWhorter's Tire Flat Repair $45.47; NETA
Conference Registration $199.00; Pack Rat Enterprises, Inc. Trash Removal $350.00; Panhandle
Cooperative Association Gas & Diesel $4,340.83; Peetz Farmers Coop Propane $9,687.84; Quick
Care Medical Services Bus Driver Physicals $250.00; Really Good Stuff LLC Supplies $61.29; Soar
Pediatric Therapy LLC PT Services $689.12; Priscilla Stauffer Classroom Expense $68.22; Mark
Steer Classroom Expense $165.96; Stephanie Stricker Classroom Expense $55.39; Team Auto
Center Parts $20.00; James Watts Transportation Reimb for March $986.24; Western Nebraska
Observer Legal Notices $13.05; Wells Fargo Card Services Supplies $123.96; Wells Fargo Card
Services Time Clock System $33.75; Wells Fargo Card Services Travel Expenses $186.65;
Wiznerd Development Group LLC Tech Support & Consultation $763.75; WNCC Asbestos
Training $250.00; 125 Clearing Account March 2024 Payroll $1,115.40; AFLAC March 2024
Payroll $575.38; AFLAC March 2024 Payroll $991.49; Banner Capital Bank March 2024 Payroll
$36,706.36; Banner Capital Bank March 2024 Payroll $6,055.66; Banner County School March
2024 Payroll $970.00; Banner County School March 2024 Payroll $1,250.00; BCBS of NE March
2024 Payroll $49,592.04; Colonial Life March 2024 Payroll $111.58; Colonial Life March 2024
Payroll $504.97; Credit Management Services, Inc March 2024 Payroll $336.47; Banner County
School March 2024 Payroll $34,136.74; Horace Mann March 2024 Payroll $149.83; LegalShield
March 2024 Payroll $101.65; MG Trust Company March 2024 Payroll $9,165.72; State of
Nebraska March 2024 Payroll $5,327.92; Principal March 2024 Payroll $786.73; VSP March
2024 Payroll $435.08; March 2024 Payroll $114,110.47
