Minutes of the Banner County School District
Board of Education Meeting
Monday, November 11, 2024
Notice of the Monday, November 11, 2024, Board of Education Regular Meeting was posted at
Harrisburg U.S. Post Office, Banner Capital Bank, Banner County Courthouse, Banner County
School, in the Western Nebraska Observer, and on the school website.
Call to Order
The Regular Meeting of the Banner County School District Board of Education is called to order at
7:03PM, in the school cafeteria.
The Nebraska Open Meetings Act is displayed in the cafeteria.
Roll Call/Welcome
Present: Megan Allen, Laura Baker, Ronald Johnson, Jake Knaub, and Douglas Olsen.
Also present: Evelyn Browne, Superintendent/BOE Secretary and Troy Holmberg, Principal.
Motion to excuse BOE member Ryan Olsen from the November 11th, 2024, regular meeting of the
Banner County BOE.
Passed with a motion by Laura Baker and a second by Jake Knaub.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea
Pledge of Allegiance
President Ron Johnson invited members and guests to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Agenda
Approve agenda for the November 11th, 2024 Banner County Regular Board of Education
meeting. 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
Presentations
Dr. Browne presented Student of the Month certificate.
Julie Peetz, of Rauner Associates, presented the 2023-2024 audit review.
Awards and Recognitions
Commend the following students, staff, and patrons:
-Thanks to NHS Sponsors, Kinsey Groves and Kaitlin Knaub; Musical Director, Mical
Cooper; American Legion Post 36 Color Guard; and all students who performed in the Veterans
Day program and supporting staff who helped out.
-Makynna Boettcher was elected Vice President of the Region 2 (North Platte to the west) State
Student Council.
-Rick Caudillo was appointed Advisor for Region 2 State STUCO.
5 new students qualified for Mr. Avila's weightlifting club:
-500 Pound Club: Micah Dittbenner, Hunter Fankhauser, Aron Knaub
-600 Pound Club: Karleigh Leslie , Kambree Hottell
-700 Pound Club: Kristian Clure
Comments from the Audience
There was no public comment.
Reports
Superintendent
Community
-Veterans Day program well attended. Thanks to NHS students and advisors, Post 36 American
Legion Color Guard, and our choir and band students under the direction of Mrs. Cooper.
-Plans are underway for "Breakfast with Santa" on December 7 th from 8:30am - 10:00 am.
Facilities & Transportation
-Correction to the High West rebate information reported in October. The total rebate was
$13,172.32. My error in understanding.
- October Facilities Report (attached)
-Work on North Teacherage is close to being complete.
Student Programs & Enrollment
-Current 2024-2025 Enrollment - 126 PK = 8; K-5= 58; 6-8= 23; 9-12=35; LL- 1; VALTS-1
-Option IN - 38 Option Out - 20
-BCBS Health & Well-being Grant of $500 (received with BCBS Banner placed in gym)
Personnel
-Natalie McCloskey hired as full-time custodian.
-EHA rates will increase by 5.49 % for 25-26
-Holiday Dinner scheduled at Papa Moon’s on Dec. 12 th at 6:00pm
-Nate McGowan contracted for Asst. HS Basketball coach
-Bill Gifford will retire at the end of this year. His position as Ag Science teacher, Metal Fabrication,
Shop, FFA sponsor, and wrestling coach will be a challenge to fill, so posting of this position will
take place immediately. We are extremely appreciative for his dedication to BCS students and
service to the community for the past 25 years.
Principal
SOTM Nominees
Aili Cooper, Yovanni Rios Garcia, Margaret Cooper, Rebekah Jones, Breklyn Cross, Camden Knaub,
Tacey Cross, Whitley McNees, Tipton Dittbenner, Riata Peterson, Ezekiel Flowers, Willow Turner,
Tack Cross, Leeigh McGowan, Knox Hottell, Sofiah Villagrana, Hayden Mathiason, Bella Young
CIP (School Improvement)
Grades K-8 math teachers will participate in the math series selection day at ESU 13 on December
6 th . Teachers have been able to review some series. ESU 13 will provide other materials on the 6 th .
Activities
Junior high wrestlers have competed in many tournaments with good success. Sixth grade boys
are able to compete by NDE policy due to our student numbers.
High school winter sports practices start November 18 th .
Absence Letters
We are sending letters to the parents of students who are approaching ten (10) days of not school
excused absences. At the high school level, credit is reduced with excessive absences and can be
earned back by making up time.
Upcoming Events
November 13: Career in Ag Conference
November 15: One-Act Play Dinner Theater
November 19: NSAA Sportsmanship and Leadership Summit @ Alliance
November 20: FFA District LDE @ Chadron
November 22: e-Learning Day for Grades 6-12
Board of Education
Board recognized Board Member Election results: Jake Knaub and Laura Baker were re-elected as
incumbents; John-Robert Faden will join the Board at the January re-organization meeting.
Committee Reports
Transportation and Grounds: No report.
American Civics, Curriculum, and Technology: Dr. Browne reported on the American Civics,
Curriculum & Technology meeting of Nov. 11th, 2024. Information on the Veterans Day Program,
Math program adoption process, and the district curriculum to be published on the school web-
site were topics covered.
Policy Review: No report
Personnel and Negotiations: The first negotiations meeting was held on October 21, 2024. The
next meeting is scheduled for November 18, 2024.
Consent Agenda
Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Laura Baker and a
second by Douglas Olsen.
Megan Allen: Yea, Laura Baker: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea
-Approve the Minutes of the October 14th, 2024 regular meeting.
-Approve the payment of bills and salaries totaling $366,369.53 for the November 11th, 2024,
regular meeting.
-Approve Audit of School Accounts, 2023-2024
Superintendent Evaluation
Go into closed session at 7:41PM, for the purpose of reviewing the Superintendent's evaluation.
The Superintendent has not requested a public meeting. 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
At 8:18 PM, the Board came out of closed session with no decisions being made. President
Johnson declared the meeting in open session at that time.
Accept Superintendent Resignation
Accept the resignation of Dr. Evelyn Browne, effective June 30, 2025, the end of the contract year,
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
Next Meeting
Regular meeting: December 9, 2024
Meeting Adjourned
Adjourn the meeting at 8:21 PM. 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
Banner County School Schedule of Bills/Claims
ACTION COMMUNICATIONS, INC 1,609.78; B&C STEEL CORPORATION 430.16; BIO CORPORATION 147.00; CDW
GOVERNMENT 65.61; CENTURY LINK 229.92; CONNECTING POINT 601.80; CROSSROADS MUSIC 282.99; DANIELLE
VILLAGRANA 105.00; EDUCATIONAL SERVICE UNIT #13 10,959.71; EWELL EDUCATION SERVICES 210.00; FLOYD'S
1,182.15; FOLLETT CONTENT SOLUTIONS LLC 18.64; FRANK PARTS 816.98; FRESH IDEAS 137.80; GRAINGER 117.49;
GREATAMERICA LEASING CORP 250.00; HARRISBURG WATER SYSTEM 1,482.67; HD SUPPLY 497.00; HD SUPPLY 25.08;
HIGH WEST ENERGY, INC. 146.76; HOME DEPOT CREDIT SERVICES 175.07; INNOVATIVE OFFICE SOLUTIONS LLC 71.50;
IXL LEARNING, INC. 700.00; JENNIE HULLINGER 118.04; JOSTENS INC 295.60; KSB SCHOOL LAW PC LLO 109.00;
LAQUINTA INNS & SUITES 151.00; LEGACY COOPERATIVE 663.59; LOGOZ, LLC 860.00; MARIE PARKER 201.00; MCGRAW
HILL LLC 185.52; MENARDS 215.29; MOBIUS COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY 98.85; NE DOL/BOILER INSPECTION
PROGRAM 108.00; NEBRASKA SAFETY & FIRE EQUIP 120.00; NEBRASKA/CENTRAL EQUIPMENT 1,069.09; NKC
TIRE/MCWHORTER'S TIRE 995.64; PACK RAT DISPOSAL 760.00; PAXTON HARDWOODS 728.51; SANDBERG IMPLEMENT,
INC. 8,429.75; SCHOOL SPECIALTY, LLC 157.22; SHERWIN-WILLIAMS 521.59; TEAM AUTO CENTER 262.27; THOMPSON
GLASS, INC. 21,400.00; VERIZON WIRELESS 711.12; W.P.C.I. 552.00; WALMART 77.47; WELLS FARGO CARD SERVICES
45.57; WELLS FARGO CARD SERVICES 276.94; WELLS FARGO CARD SERVICES 246.42; WELLS FARGO CARD SERVICES
942.19; WESTCO 573.58; WESTCO 5,182.41; WESTERN NEBRASKA ADMINISTRATORS 125.00; WESTERN NEBRASKA
OBSERVER 270.09; WIZNERD DEVELOPMENT GROUP LLC 1,462.50; ZEPTIVE 100.00; VSP 639.61; FEDERAL TAX
PAYMENT 43,409.35; MG TRUST COMPANY 8,585.37; NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE 6,275.95; NEBRASKA
SCHOOL RETIREMENT SYS 38,091.73; 125 CLEARING ACCOUNT 810.00; AFLAC 756.12; AFLAC 943.82; BANNER COUNTY
SCHOOL 665.00; BANNER COUNTY SCHOOL BLDG FUND 850.00; BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD NE 54,562.00; COLONIAL
LIFE 183.93; COLONIAL LIFE 177.34; HORACE MANN INSURANCE COMPANY 159.86; LEGALSHIELD 57.80; PRINCIPAL LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY 854.02; PAYROLL 141,069.27
