Minutes of the Banner County School District
Board of Education Meeting
Monday, May 13, 2024
Notice of the Monday, May 13, 2024, Board of Education Regular Meeting was posted at the
entrance to the school, the Banner County Court House, the Harrisburg Post Office, Banner Capital
Bank, in the Western Nebraska Observer, and on the school website.
Call to Order
The regular May meeting of the Banner County School District Board of Education was called to
order at 7:02PM in the School Cafeteria, 200 School Street, Harrisburg, Nebraska.
The Nebraska Open Meetings Act was posted on the wall.
Pledge of Allegiance
President Ron Johnson invited members and guests to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call/Welcome
Present: Megan Allen, Laura Baker, Ronald Johnson, Jake Knaub, Douglas Olsen, and Ryan Olsen.
Also present: Evelyn Browne, Superintendent/BOE Secretary and Troy Holmberg, Principal.
Approval of Agenda
Approve the agenda for the May 13th, 2024 Regular Meeting of the Banner County Board of
Education. Passed with a motion by Jake Knaub and a second by Laura Baker.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea,
Ryan Olsen: Yea
Awards and Recognition
President Johnson commended the following students and staff:
-Students of the Month - Charles Cooper - K, Camden Knaub - 1, Bekah Jones - 3, Lydia Grant - 9,
Gianni Green - 9.
-Students who competed at District Music on April 17th: The Band got Superior Ratings; Isaac
Olsen got a superior rating on his solo; Keira Bolander and Janie Fonseca-Warm got Excellent
ratings on their Solos and duet.
-JH Quiz Bowl 8th grade team won 2nd at the Bayard meet on 4/26. JH Track Team won the MAC
track meet on April 27 at Chappell.
-Best of the West in Scottsbluff on 4/23: High School Best of the West Qualifier, Nate McGowan
3200M run. Junior High Best of the West Qualifiers: Karlye Dittbenner (long jump & 4x100 relay),
Makynna Boettcher (100 hurdles & 4x100 relay), Kassie Loutzenhiser (4x100 relay), Kambrie
Loutzenhiser (4x100 relay), Kyrie Roldan (4x100 relay alternate), Gabe Collier (1600 M run, high
jump, 800 M run)
-Nate McGowan placed 2nd in the 3200m at District Track on May 8th. He will compete at the
State meet May 17-18
-State FFA Convention:12 students competed in 5 different contests. 3 members received their
State FFA Degree: Andie West, Isaac Olsen, Tobey May.
Meats Judging Team: Nathan Clement, Brendyn Onstott, Tobey May, Ti Gaasch placed 11th out of
60 teams.
Livestock Management: Andie West, Isaac Olsen, Kambree Hottell, Micah Dittbenner, Logan
Mason placed 14th out of 58. They finished 4th in equine and poultry areas of the contest.
Ag Mechanics: Nathan Clement, Adam Knaub, Wyatt Reichenberg, Brentsen McGowan placed 31st
out of 57.
Environmetal & Natural Resources: Adam Knaub, Andie West, Isaac Olsen, Brentsen McGowan
placed 31st out of 76.
Welding: Wyatt Reichenberg, Ti Gaasch, Adam Knaub, Nathan Clement placed 43rd out of 60.
-Elementary Readers: As of April 25, the K-5 students have read and tested 5,301 books!
Presentations
Students of the Month: Dr. Browne presented certificates to Camden Knaub – 1 and Bekah Jones –
3. Charles Cooper - K, Lydia Grant - 9, and Gianni Green – 9, were not present.
Comments from the Audience
There was no public comment.
Reports
Superintendent
Community
- Summer Electronic Benefits Program information going out to all families who may be eligible for
a $120 benefit for each school aged child in the home
-Historical Day schedule posted in the Scratching Post - mailing is now 348 and includes ALL Banner
County residents.
Facilities & Transportation
- Facilities report attached.
- No bids were received for a 7-10 passenger vehicle. 14 bid request letters were mailed; followed
up by email. No bids for the purchase of the red Suburban were received. Will follow up with
phone calls.
- Requests for LP bids go out next week.
- Ameresco Pre-Construction meeting on May 14 th at 9:30am.
Student Programs & Enrollment
-Current 2023-2024 Enrollment - 139 PK = 8; K-5= 62; 6-8= 31; 9-12=35, LL=1, VALTS=1;
PBDT=1 Total = 139
Option IN: 42 Option OUT: 18
- Completed and submitted Perkins Grant application: Ironworker, punch and die set for Metals &
Fabrication class.
- Local Food for Schools of $3,140 awarded for 24-25 school year.
- Awarded $13,200 in Safety and Security Grant to replace interior doors at main entrance.
Personnel
- Danielle Villagrana accepted the offer by JAG Nebraska for the JAG Specialist position.
-Katie Armstrong is on her way to completing CDL requirements! Katie will drive the
Scottsbluff/Gering route.
-Seeking a HS Cross Country coach for next year.
Principal
SOTM Nominees (Elementary): Camden Knaub, Amiah Cooper, Kinlee Olsen, Addy Watts, Willow
Turner, Charles Cooper, Breklyn Cross, Bailie Gilbert, Railin Mesteth, Gabe Olsen, Riata Peterson,
Boone Dittbenner, Gannon Scheer, Klara Reece, Andy McGowan, Rebekah Jones, Bexlie Groves,
Aili Cooper, Tacey Cross
SOTM Nominees (MS/HS): Gianni Green, Gerald Clark, Destineey Soto, Lydia Grant, Janie
Fonseca-Warm, Marie Hein, Logan Mason
PreK/K Roundup
Held on April 26 th , seven (7) preK students and six (6) K students in attendance
AR Report
Elementary has read and tested on 5,772 books!
We have had two students earn a Kindle, which is a 200 point prize.
8 students have reached 100 points
36 students have reached 50 points
The class with the most read books is 1st grade, with 2,123 books.
The class with the most combined points is 4th grade, with 939 points.
Our popcorn sales earned us $1024. The Banner County School Foundation matched that, making
the fundraiser total $2,048
High School Graduation- We had 11 graduates in the Class of 2024, 10 participated in the
commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 11th
High School Scheduling Completed - Plan to Use Process Again Next Year
Students can drop and add at the start of the fall semester (five day period).
Upcoming Events
May 13: Grade 3 Wildcat Hills trip
May 14: 8 th period Ice Cream Social for ALL 22-23 and 23-24 Students of the Month and Honor Roll
May 15: AR trip
May 16: PreK Zoo trip
May 16: PreK and K Graduation
May 17: K-2 Zoo trip
May 17: 4-5 Fort Laramie trip
May 20: Patrons Day
Board of Education
President Johnson gave update on President's Circle meeting.
Consent Agenda
Motion to approve the consent agenda. Passed with a motion by Douglas Olsen and a second by
Laura Baker.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea,
Ryan Olsen: Yea
-Approve the Minutes of the April 8th, 2024 regular meeting.
-Approve the payment of bills and salaries totaling $357,252.82 for the May 13th, 2024, regular
meeting.
-Continue Membership in MAC Conference
-Declare textbooks obsolete
-Approve 2024-2025 calendar change
Committee Reports
Transportation and Grounds: No report
American Civics, Curriculum, and Technology: No report
Policy Review: Policy Committee will meet later in the summer after policy updates are received
from NASB.
Personnel and Negotiations: No report
Approve Purchase of K-5 Social Studies Program and Materials
Approve purchase of K-5 Social Studies Program, materials, and 6-year digital licensing from
SAVVAS for $11,255.50. Passed with a motion by Jake Knaub and a second by Douglas Olsen.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea,
Ryan Olsen: Yea
Approve Installation of New Flooring in Three Classrooms
Approve the purchase and installation of flooring in three classrooms; the cost of the tile from
Mohawk is $7,181.52 and the cost of installation by Chad Knotts is $10,700. Passed with a motion
by Douglas Olsen and a second by Laura Baker.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea,
Ryan Olsen: Yea
Approve purchase of HUDL Athletic Package
Approve purchase of HUDL athletic package at $8,500. Passed with a motion by Douglas Olsen and
a second by Jake Knaub.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea,
Ryan Olsen: Yea
Approve policy revisions, 1st Reading
Approve 1st reading revisions for Policies 402.17, 412.01R14, 502.10, 504.17, 611.03, 612.03,
612.05, 905.07 as presented. Passed with a motion by Ronald Johnson and a second by Douglas
Olsen.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea,
Ryan Olsen: Yea
Next Meeting
Regular Meeting: June 10th, 2024, 7:00 PM
Meeting Adjourned
Adjourn the meeting at 8:10PM. Passed with a motion by Jake Knaub and a second by Megan
Allen.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea,
Ryan Olsen: Yea
Banner County School Schedule of Bills/Claims
Blick Art Materials Supplies $488.28; Cash-Wa Distibuting Cleaning Supplies $993.93; CDW
Government Dry Erase Board $561.64; Committee for Children Second Step 1-yr $2,595.00;
Connecting Point Copier Contracts $656.34; Crowne Plaza Kearney Data Conference Lodging
$322.20; DAS State Acctg Network Service Charges $267.63; ESU #13 April Services $11,769.81;
Flinn Scientific Inc Supplies $498.57; Floyd's Bus #9 Repairs $4,009.01; Follett School Solutions
LLC Single Site LM Renewal $665.70; GF#2 Account Reimbursement $1,176.97; Grainger Parts &
Supplies $1,569.46; GreatAmerica Leasing Corp Copier Leases $250.00; Hand2Mind Inc Supplies
$71.36; Harrisburg Water System Water Usage $584.77; HD Supply Supplies $399.43; High West
Energy Utilities $2,797.17; Holiday Inn Express-Omaha State Spelling Bee Lodging $268.00; Troy
Holmberg Reimbursement $81.00; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 6-8 GoMath $5,420.72; Jennie
Hullinger Interpreting Service $118.04; Impero Solutions Inc Ed Pro Support $600.00; Jostens
Inc Diplomas $161.64; Lakeshore Learning Materials LLC Supplies $350.57; Legacy Cooperative
Supplies $132.90; McGraw Hill LLC K-5 Reading $8,422.47; Menards Supplies $117.04; Midwest
Technology Products Supplies $1,180.50; Motor Fuels Division 1st Qtr Fuel Tax $911.00; NAEA
Professional Fees 2024-2025 $275.00; NCSA Legislative Webinar $75.00; Pack Rat Disposal
Trash Removal $350.00; Paper101 Annual Paper Buy $1,597.60; Peetz Farmers Coop Propane
$4,899.84; J.W. Pepper & Son Inc Supplies $66.63; Quick Care Medical Services Bus Driver
Physical $125.00; Quill LLC Supplies $725.22; Really Good Stuff LLC Supplies $217.62; Regional
West Health Services CPR/First Aid Cards $105.00; RION Annual Machine Inspection $390.00;
Savvas Learning Company LLC ELA 7-12 $16,353.44; School Health Supplies $160.06; School
Specialty LLC Supplies $511.28; Soar Pediatric Therapy LLC March PT Services $1,228.96; Staples
Advantage Supplies $2,014.62; Scottsbluff Star-Herald Subscription Renewal $156.00; Teaching
Strategies LLC Creative Curriculum Cloud $3,889.60; Voyager Sopris Learning ALO Math ME
$225.00; James Watts April Mileage Reimbursement $1,286.40; WESTCO Supplies $1,283.90;
Westco Gas & Diesel $3,744.23; Western Nebraska Observer Legal Notice $104.08; Wells Fargo
Supplies $1,513.84; Wells Fargo Time Clock & Supplies $73.75; Wiznerd Development Group
LLC IT Support and Consultation $585.00; Sandy Wounded Arrow Deposit & Utilities Refund
$33.93; W.P.C.I. Random Pool Screening $124.00; 125 Clearing May 2024 Payroll $1,115.69;
AFLAC May 2024 Payroll $575.38; AFLAC May 2024 Payroll $991.09; Banner Capital Bank May
2024 Payroll $37,526.14; Banner Capital Bank May 2024 Payroll $6,055.66; Banner County
School May 2024 Payroll $920.00; Banner County School May 2024 Payroll $1,075.00; BCBS
May 2024 Payroll $49,592.32; Colonial Life May 2024 Payroll $111.58; Colonial Life May 2024
Payroll $504.78; Banner County School May 2024 Payroll $34,904.50; Horace Mann May 2024
Payroll $159.86; LegalShield May 2024 Payroll $101.65; MG Trust May 2024 Payroll $9,153.65;
State of Nebraska May 2024 Payroll $5,476.93; Principal May 2024 Payroll $786.73; VSP May
2024 Payroll $435.24; May 2024 Payroll $118,210.47
