Minutes of the Banner County School District
Board of Education Meeting
Monday, April 14, 2025
Notice of the Monday, April 14, 2025, Board of Education Regular Meeting was published at the
entrance to the school, the Banner County Court House, the Harrisburg Post Office, Banner Capital
Bank, on the school website at www.bcswildcats.org, 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. 200 School Street, Harrisburg, Nebraska.
The Nebraska Open Meetings Act was displayed in the cafeteria.
Roll Call/Welcome
Present: Laura Baker, John-Robert Faden, Ronald Johnson, Jake Knaub, Douglas Olsen, and Ryan
Olsen.
Also present: Evelyn Browne, Superintendent/BOE Secretary and Troy Holmberg, Principal.
Pledge of Allegiance
President Douglas Olsen invited members and guests to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Agenda
Approve the agenda for the April 14th, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Banner County Board of
Education. Passed with a motion by Laura Baker and a second by Jake Knaub.
Laura Baker: Yea, John-Robert Faden: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen:
Yea, Ryan Olsen: Yea
Awards and Recognition
President Douglas Olsen commended the following students and staff:
-Luke Olsen tied for 3rd place out of 65 competitors at the State Spelling Bee.
-State Speech team results: Isaac Olsen finished 9/19 in Informative; Abigayle Jones finished 10/19
in Serious. All team members performed well: Lydia Grant, Keira Bolander, Karleigh Leslie,
Makynna Boettcher, and Kesmera Palu.
-NSAA Academic All-State: Isaac Olsen, BB and Speech; Leeigh McGowan, BB
-MAC Music Competition: Isaac Olsen, 1st place Low Brass; Isaac Olsen & Abigayle Jones, 1st place
Duet.
-All Conference BB: Leeigh McGowan and Hunter Fankhauser, Honorable Mentions; Isaac Olsen,
1st Team and state leader in rebounding
-State FFA Results:
Livestock Management placed 21 st overall out of 49 teams. They finished 6 th in the equine area of
the contest, 8 th beef, 29 th dairy, 35 th poultry, 43 rd sheep, 23 rd swine, 17 th exam: Abigayle Jones, Isaac
Olsen, Kambree Hottell, Micah Dittbenner, Logan Mason, Wilbur Reichenberg
Ag Mechanics 37/60 teams: Tobey May - 54 th out of 239 earned a Blue, Blake Green, Micah
Dittbenner, Brentsen McGowan
Environmental & Natural Resources - 51/77 teams: Tobey May - 96 th out of 308 Red ribbon, Leeigh
McGowan, Isaac Olsen, Brentsen McGowan
Junior Livestock Judging 54/60: Shawnie Mason - 37 th out of 240 blue ribbon, Blake Green, Karlye
Dittbenner, Wilbur Reichenberg
Agriscience 84/133: Wilbur Reichenberg, Shawnie Mason, Makynna Boettcher, Austin West
-Priscilla Stauffer for heading up the March Reading Madness Bracket: Gannon Scheer, 4th grade,
had an almost perfect bracket.
-Kinsey Groves for coaching LadyCats VB and taking the 5-8 grade girls to play at the Twilight
Tournament in Gering. Our LadyCats are Kassie Loutzenhiser, Madi May, Natali Cordero, Kambrie
Loutzenhiser, Bella Young, Callie Woodral, Destineey Soto, Tacey Cross, and Aili Cooper. Shout out
to Stephanie Stricker for driving Kinsey's bus route and helping out with practices.
-Olivia Terrones for hosting girl basketball skills camp on Thursday evenings.
-External Review: Mr. Holmberg and MTSS Committee, Jessica Stauffer, Kinsey Groves, Katie
Armstrong, and Stephanie Stricker for their preparation and logistics for our successful External
Review. Thanks to our staff members who participated in the interviews and for their flexibility
throughout the process in providing class coverage.
Presentations
Students of the Month: Judd Stauffer, PK; Erica Davison, 1; Delilah Hughes, 3; Shawnie Mason, 9.
Iceland Tour May 2026: Mrs. Hilbert shared information on a travel opportunity for students and
community members.
Comments from the Audience
There was no public comment.
Reports
Superintendent
Community
-Thank you to community members who contributed to our 5-Year External Review: Nancy Olsen,
Zane Hopkins, Jim Revelle, Linda Barrett
-Nikki Hottell and parents who organized the Post Prom activities
Facilities & Transportation
-Still looking for a 10-passenger van.
-Independent Plumbing will revent furnace in the Old Gym
Student Programs & Enrollment
- Current 2024-2025 Enrollment - 128 PK = 8; K-5= 57; 6-8= 24; 9-12=37; LL-1; VLTS-1
Option IN - 37 Option Out - 22
-WNCC dual credit courses will be tuition free beginning 2025-2026. Welding has been added as
our latest Dual Credit course.
Personnel
-Olivia Terrones, 3 rd grade teacher, submitted her resignation.
-Christy Lecher on the agenda for approval as 3 rd grade teacher.
-Greg Coons hired as full time custodian.
Principal
Student of the Month
24 Elementary Nominees:
Colt Felz, Gabe Olsen, Raelynn Felkins, Kai Hageman, Tatum Revelle, Izaveaha Chairez, Erica
Davison, George McGowan, Judd Stauffer, Raelyn Peterson, Colbie Knaub, Bexlie Groves, Corielle
Martinez, Delilah Hughes, Dalton Gilbert, Tacey Cross, Riata Peterson, Bekah Jones, Trace Olsen,
Addison Knaub, Kort Boettcher, Trenton Knaub, Amiah Cooper, Andy McGowan
6 Secondary Nominees:
Mason Vargas, Sofiah Villagrana, Hayden Mathiason, Shawnie Mason, Natali Cordero, Bronson
Smith
External Visit - April 7 & 8
A special thank you to: CIP/MTSS team: Katie Armstrong, Kinsey Groves, Jessica Stauffer, and
Stephanie Stricker.
Community/parent interview group: Zane Hopkins, Sarah Mason, Nancy Olsen, Jim Revelle, Kelsey
Loutzenhiser, Linda Barrett
Student ambassadors: Isaac Olsen, Tate Olsen, Abby Jones
Student interview groups: Ailie Cooper, Bexlie Groves, Gabe Olsen, Colbie Knaub, Kambrie
Loutzenhiser, Knox Hottell, Shawnie Mason, Sophia Villagrana, Isaac Olsen
Nebraska Math Readiness Project
Being done through WNCC, allows our juniors and seniors an alternative to the typical college prep
pathway. We have five students enrolled in the program. One has completed Level 1.
Level 1 MATH-M0070 Basic Mathematics
Level 2 MATH-M0160 Introductory Algebra
Level 3 MATH- M1010 Intermediate Algebra
Tech Math MATH -M1020 Technical Mathematics
NSCAS Testing
We are testing April 16-25th, window closes on May 2nd
Spring Summative Assessment Grades 3-8 ELA, Math; Grades 5, 8 Science
ACT Testing - April 17 th
Upcoming Events
April 22- Second Grade Field Trip: Agsplosion
April 24- FFA Banquet and District Music
April 25/26- Senior Trip
April 29- Kindergarten Field Trip: Trip Through Time
May 1- Spring Concert and Art Expo
Board of Education
Retirement Social, May 4 th at 2:00pm for Dr. Browne, Bill Gifford, and Sue Talkington
Consent Agenda
Motion to approve the consent agenda. Passed with a motion by Jake Knaub and a second by
Ronald Johnson.
Laura Baker: Yea, John-Robert Faden: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen:
Yea, Ryan Olsen: Yea
-Approve the Minutes of the March 10th, 2025 regular meeting.
-Approve the payment of bills and salaries totaling $371,237.45 for the April 14th, 2025, regular
meeting.
-Approve the Amended VALTS Interlocal Agreement
Committee Reports
Transportation and Grounds: No report.
American Civics, Curriculum, and Technology: No report.
Policy Review: No report
Personnel and Negotiations: No report.
Accept Certified Staff Resignation
Accept the resignation of Olivia Terrones with appreciation. Passed with a motion by Laura Baker
and a second by Jake Knaub.
Laura Baker: Yea, John-Robert Faden: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen:
Yea, Ryan Olsen: Yea
Approve Certified Personnel Contract
Approve a teaching contract for Christy Lecher at BA+18, Step 10. Passed with a motion by Jake
Knaub and a second by Laura Baker.
Laura Baker: Yea, John-Robert Faden: 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 407.01 Certificated Employee Salary Schedule, as presented
Passed with a motion by Laura Baker and a second by Ronald Johnson.
Ryan Olsen: Abstain (With Conflict), Laura Baker: Yea, John-Robert Faden: Yea, Ronald Johnson:
Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea
Approve Spring 2026 trip to Iceland
Approve advertising and fundraising for a chaperoned trip to Iceland in May 2026, open to
students in grades 6 through 11 (2025), with students paying the full cost of the trip. Passed with a
motion by Laura Baker and a second by Ronald Johnson.
Laura Baker: Yea, John-Robert Faden: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen:
Yea, Ryan Olsen: Yea
Approve Request for Bids to Purchase School Bus
Approve a motion to seek bids to purchase a low-mileage or new 60-passenger school bus. Passed
with a motion by Jake Knaub and a second by Laura Baker.
Laura Baker: Yea, John-Robert Faden: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen:
Yea, Ryan Olsen: Yea
Comments from the Audience
Deb Griebe thanked the Board for their continued support of student programmimg and staff.
Angie Hilbert thanked board for approving activities related to the Iceland 2026 tour.
Next Meeting
Regular Meeting: May 10th, 2025, 7:00 PM
Meeting Adjourned
Adjourn the meeting at 8:02 PM. Passed with a motion by Jake Knaub and a second by Ronald
Johnson.
Laura Baker: Yea, John-Robert Faden: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen:
Yea, Ryan Olsen: Yea
Banner County School Schedule of Bills/Claims
KATIE ARMSTRONG $99.69; BLICK ART MATERIALS $697.16; CENGAGE LEARNING $21,947.20;
CENTURY LINK $234.15; CHARACTER STRONG $3,996.00; CONNECTING POINT $667.20;
CROSSROADS MUSIC $122.46; DAS STATE ACCTG $585.74; DISCOUNT SCHOOL SUPPLY $189.12;
ESU #13 $12,742.89; FRANK PARTS $874.65; GREATAMERICA LEASING CORP $352.29; HAPPY
NUMBERS, INC $1,030.00; HARRISBURG WATER SYSTEM $519.17; HIGH WEST ENERGY, INC.
$2,718.89; HOME DEPOT CREDIT SERVICES $12.93; INLAND TRUCK PARTS COMPANY $466.16;
J.W. PEPPER & SON INC. $87.94; JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL $9.98; JOSTENS, INC $135.95; KSB
SCHOOL LAW PC LLO $462.00; LAKESHORE LEARNING MATERIALS LLC $189.94; THE LAMPO
GROUP LLC $227.92; LAQUINTA INNS & SUITES $418.00; LAZY W DIAMOND RANCH $360.00;
MENARDS $244.08; MIDWEST TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS $126.36; NEBRASKA DEPT OF
EDUCATION $400.00; PACK RAT DISPOAL $380.00; PAMELA OLSEN $240.70; MARIE PARKER
$168.00; PEETZ FARMERS COOP $13,273.42; PINE BLUFFS SINCLAIR, LLC $4,229.28; QUICK CARE
MEDICAL SERVICES $125.00; QUILL LLC $335.53; ROCKET MATH, LLC $350.00;
RSCHOOLTODAY/VNN $334.40; SCHOOL SPECIALTY, LLC $1,550.65; SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY
CONSOLIDATED $125.00; SOAR PEDIATRIC THERAPY LLC $1,442.15; STAPLES ADVANTAGE
$1,638.84; PRISCILLA STAUFFER $70.94; TEAM AUTO CENTER $225.00; VERIZON WIRELESS
$161.13; WALMART $44.71; WELLS FARGO CARD SERVICES $201.56; WELLS FARGO CARD
SERVICES $145.07; WELLS FARGO CARD SERVICES $1,066.69; WESTCO $4,775.06; WESTERN
NEBRASKA OBSERVER $239.81; WIZNERD DEVELOPMENT GROUP LLC $560.00; Wyoming
Bearing & Supplies $2.15; MOTOR FUELS DIVISION $827.00; AFLAC $680.89; AFLAC $912.88;
FEDERAL TAX PAYMENT SYSTEM $41,168.90; MG TRUST COMPANY $8,552.02; NEBRASKA
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE $5,702.59; NEBRASKA SCHOOL RETIREMENT SYS $37,716.79; VSP
INSURANCE CO $630.06; 125 CLEARING ACCOUNT $410.00; BANNER COUNTY SCHOOL $815.00;
BANNER COUNTY SCHOOL $1,390.00; BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD NE $54,280.70; COLONIAL
LIFE $183.93; COLONIAL LIFE $177.34; HORACE MANN INSURANCE COMPANY $217.78;
LEGALSHIELD $57.80; Portfolio Recovery Associates. LLC $522.08; PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY $854.02; PAYROLL $126905.08