Minutes of the Banner County School District
Board of Education Meeting
Monday, March 10, 2025
Notice of the 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 is called to order at 7:01 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 agenda for the March 10th, 2025 Banner County Board of Education Regular meeting. 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
Presentations
Class of 2025 Educational Trip: Isaac Olsen and Karleigh Leslie presented information on the Senior Trip.
Students of the Month: Dr. Browne presented Student of the Month Certificates for January and February.
Awards and Recognition
President Douglas Olsen commended the following students and staff:
-Students of the Month - Emersynn Stauffer, K; Dylan Perez, 5; Eli Allen, 6; Tatum Revelle, K; Breklyn Cross, 1; Knox Hottell, 7.
-Wilbur Reichenberg – who competed at the Nebraska State wrestling championships in Omaha on February 20th
-MAC Speech at Big Springs, March 1st: The team earned a 3rd place.
Abigayle Jones - 4th place Serious, 3rd place Poetry; Keira Bolander - 7th place Serious, Kesmera Palu -4th place Persuasive, 5th place Poetry, 3rd place OID; Riley Allen - 6th place Persuasive; Isaac Olsen - 2nd place Informative: Sofiah Villagrana - 6th place Humorous, Lydia Wenger and Keira Bolander - 3rd place Duet; Karleigh Leslie and Makynna Boettcher - 4th place Duet.
-FFA district contest at Kimball on March 5th:
Environmental & Natural Resources Team placed 6th, qualifying for State FFA: Tobey May (10th individually), Isaac Olsen (16th individually), Brentsen McGowan, & Leeigh McGowan; Meats Judging Team placed 10th: Wilber Reichenberg, Makynna Boettcher, Jackson Onstott, & Aron Knaub; Landscape team placed 13th: Abigayle Jones, Kambree Hottell, & Karlye Dittbenner.
-Congratulations to FFA members for a very successful Auction on March 7th. Thanks to the community for their support of our FFA program.
-Thanks to staff members Troy Holmberg, Sonja Lind, Wittni Boettcher, Kinsey Groves, Jessica Stauffer, & Mark Steer who participated in the Superintendent interview panels.
Comments from the Audience
There was no public comment.
Reports
Superintendent
COMMUNITY
-FFA Silent Auction and Dinner was well attended by community supporters, raising just over $30,000 for FFA programs.
Student Programs & Enrollment
- Current 2024-2025 Enrollment - 127 PK = 8; K-5= 57; 6-8= 24; 9-12=36; LL-1; VLTS-1
Option IN - 37 Option Out - 22
-Annual Report included in the Scratching Post mailing.
-PK/K Registration will be April 11th at 9:00am
Personnel
-Chris Cooper, School Counselor, submitted his resignation after 11 years at BCS.
-Cameron Geary, Business and Skilled Technical Science Teacher, submitted his resignation.
-Reassignments for the upcoming school year include Wittni Boettcher as .5 School Counselor, Ray Lemoine teaching a Skilled Technical Sciences elective, Elizabeth Bohac teaching 7th grade Science, and Morgan May teaching Elementary Computer Science.
Principal
Student of the Month Nominees- 18 Elem, 8 Sec
Addy Watts, Bryson Rowell, George McGowan, Colt Felz, Breklyn Cross, Gabe Olsen, Brogan Cross, Trace Olsen, Presley Grubbs, Paycen West, Bekah Jones, Mesa Faden, Emberly Valverde, Kai Hageman, Kort Boettcher, Erica Davison, Tatum Revelle, Colbie Knaub, Riley Allen, Knox Hottell, Mason Vargas, Tate Olsen, Kyrie Roldan, Luke Olsen, Brianne Woodral, Isaac Olsen
High School Scheduling
Preliminary scheduling has been done with students meeting individually with Mr. Cooper. Adjustments will be needed due to staffing changes.
Meeting with External Visitation Lead
I will be meeting with Mr. Trevor Anderson on March 12th. Tentatively, we are planning for the external visitation team to have dinner with the Board on April 7th following interviews.
FFA Auction
Held on Friday, Feb. 17th. There were 158 items auctioned bringing in $28,372. The FFA Boosters received about $1100 in free will donations.
HS Track and Field Practice in Full Swing- 5 Girls and 4 Boys
Upcoming
3/13- End of Third Quarter, AR parties in elementary, PT Conferences
3/17- District Speech @ Sidney
3/20 - Assembly for Grades 1-5 in Bridgeport
3/21 - Banner County JH Quiz Bowl competition
Board of Education
Members reminded to contact Dr. Browne to register for NASB training opportunities.
Committee Reports
Transportation and Grounds: No report.
American Civics, Curriculum, and Technology: Chairperson Jake Knaub reported on the March 10th American Civics meeting information shared about the US Government curriculum, the Naturalization exam, and requirements of LB399.
Policy Review: No report.
Personnel and Negotiations: No report.
Consent Agenda
Motion to approve the consent agenda for the March 10th, 2025 regular Board of Education meeting. 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 the Minutes of the February 10th, 2025 regular meeting; the February 28th, 2025 Special Meeting; and the March 3rd, 2025 Special Meeting
-Approve the payment of bills and salaries totaling $318,895.89 for the March 10th, 2025 regular meeting
-Approve 2025-2026 Services Agreement with ESU13
-Approve Class of 2025 Educational Trip
-Approve changes to 2024-2025 calendar
-Approve date corrections in the 2025-2026 Calendar
Accept Certified Staff Resignations
Accept the resignations of Christopher Cooper and Cameron Geary with appreciation. 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 Classified Salary Schedules
Approve a 3% increase in the base pay on classified employee salary schedules for Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D. Passed with a motion by Jake Knaub and a second by Laura Baker.
Ryan Olsen: Abstain (With Conflict), Laura Baker: Yea, John-Robert Faden: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea
Approve 1st reading of revised policy
Approve 1st reading revision of Policy 407.01 Certificated Employee Salary Schedule, as presented. 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 2nd reading of revised policies
Approve 2nd reading of Policies 204. 07, 504.24, 504.24R1, 717.00, 718.00 as presented. 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
Closed Session
Go into closed session at 8:10 PM, to discuss personnel matters, for the protection of the public interest or to prevent needless injury to the reputation of an individual. Passed with a motion by Ronald Johnson 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
At 8:30 PM, the Board came out of closed session with no decisions being made. President Douglas Olsen declared the meeting in open session at that time.
Approve Principal's 2025-2026 Salary
Approve Troy Holmberg's' salary of $95,275 for Banner County School PK-12 Principal for the 2025-2026. 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 Superintendent's Contract
Approve superintendent contract, as presented, for Chris Lecher, for a period of two years beginning on July 1, 2025 and expiring on June 30, 2027, with the salary for the first contract year at $120,000 to be paid in 12 equal monthly installments beginning in the month of August 2025. Passed with a motion by Jake Knaub and a second by John-Robert Faden.
Laura Baker: Yea, John-Robert Faden: Yea, Ronald Johnson: Yea, Jake Knaub: Yea, Douglas Olsen: Yea, Ryan Olsen: Yea
Comments from the Audience
Keah Cross and Ralph Reece commented on the OEF program.
Kinsey Groves shared community volunteer names to be recognized for the Little Girls basketball program: Cherry Felkins, Melissa Jones, Priscilla Stauffer, Kaitlin Knaub, Alyssa Faden, Caily Reece, Olivia Terrones, Abbie Cross.
Next Meeting
Regular Meeting: April 14th, 2025, 7:00 PM
Meeting Adjourned
Adjourn the meeting at 8:44 PM. 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
Banner County School Schedule of Bills/Claims
BROAD REACH 175.73; CDW GOVERNMENT 4,867.54; CHADRON STATE COLLEGE 80.00; CONNECTING POINT 455.46; DAS STATE ACCTG 292.87; EDUCATIONAL SERVICE UNIT #13 10,957.75; FLOYD'S 278.83; FRANK PARTS 607.89; GRAINGER 102.87; GREATAMERICA LEASING CORP 250.00; HARRISBURG WATER SYSTEM 541.97; HD SUPPLY 518.42; HIGH WEST ENERGY, INC. 2,440.68; TROY HOLMBERG 65.10; JMC, INC 2,816.84; KSB SCHOOL LAW PC LLO 693.00; LOGOZ, LLC 12.00; MENARDS 776.28; MORRILL COUNTY CLERK 109.68; NASB 240.00; PACK RAT DISPOSAL 380.00; MARIE PARKER 126.00; JACOB PARSONS 80.00; PEETZ FARMERS COOP 6,911.96; SMART APPLE MEDIA 109.80; SOAR PEDIATRIC THERAPY LLC 739.35; STEPHANIE STRICKER 52.54; TEAM AUTO CENTER 1,669.07; VERIZON WIRELESS 161.16; W.P.C.I. 62.00; WALMART 42.26; WELLS FARGO CARD SERVICES 804.49; WELLS FARGO CARD SERVICES 36.00; WELLS FARGO CARD SERVICES 444.23; WESTCO 243.90; WESTCO 4,179.01; WESTERN NEBRASKA OBSERVER 163.07; WIZNERD DEVELOPMENT GROUP LLC 595.00; AFLAC 756.12 AFLAC 912.88; EFTPS 40,513.74; MG TRUST COMPANY 8,582.19; NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE 5,520.20; NEBRASKA SCHOOL RETIREMENT SYS 36,854.67; VSP INSURANCE CO 630.06; 125 CLEARING ACCOUNT 810.00; BANNER COUNTY SCHOOL 815.00; BANNER COUNTY SCHOOL 1,465.00; BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD NE 51,884.24; COLONIAL LIFE 183.93; COLONIAL LIFE 177.34; MANN INSURANCE 217.78; LEGALSHIELD 57.80; PRINCIPAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY 854.02; PAYROLL 125,568.22