Minutes of the Banner County School District
Board of Education Meeting
Monday, May 12, 2025
Notice of the Monday, May 12, 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, 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.
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 May 12th, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Banner County Board of
Education. Passed with a motion by John-Robert Faden 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
Awards and Recognition
President Douglas Olsen commended the following students and staff:
-Students of the Month - Fernanda Bocanegra - K, George McGowan -K, Izaveaha Chairez - 2,
Camden Knaub -2, Isaac Olsen - 12
-Students who competed at District Music on April 24th: Abigayle Jones earned a superior rating
for her saxophone solo; Isaac Olsen received a superior rating for his trombone solo.
Best of the West in Scottsbluff on 4/29: Junior High Best of the West Qualifiers: Callie
Woodral, 100 Meter Hurdles (ran a 18.21 which was a personal best by 2 tenths of a second)
Kassie Loutzenhiser, Long Jump (Placed 2nd overall with a jump of 15' 3.75") (First time we have
had a JH track athlete place at Best in the West) Braedyn Bojorquez, Discus (threw 91')
-Tack Cross qualified for the Junior High Rodeo National in four events.
-Kassie Loutzenhiser qualified for Junior High State Track in the long-jump
Presentations
Students of the Month: Fernanda Bocanegra, K; George McGowan, K; Izaveaha Chairez, 2; Camden
Knaub, 2; Isaac Olsen, 12.
Mr. Holmberg presented the final commendations and considerations from the External Review
Comments from the Audience
Mr. Chris Lecher was in attendance and shared some positive feedback that he received personally
from the External Review lead.
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
- Posted community events in the April Scratching Post: FFA Flower Sale, Historical Day schedule,
Food Bank, Census Report. Mailing is now at 340.
- Activities Golf Scramble Fundraiser on June 8 th at Riverview Golf Course to benefit ALL sports and
activities.
- County Commissioners discussed an Interlocal Agreement with Banner County School for services
other than propane and gas/diesel purchasing at their May 6 th meeting. There was no action taken,
and it was not tabled for future discussion.
Facilities & Transportation
- Facilities report attached.
- Requests for LP bids mailed out.
- Requests for bus e-mailed to 6 vendors and published in the Western Nebraska Observer.
- New sign installed at Main Entrance
- Attended a demonstration for new Message Center to replace the current sign that can no longer
be repaired.
- $57 earned on our first year of aluminum can recycling!
- One leak discovered after the heavy rain - in the Superintendent’s office! - reported to Ameresco
and All Seasons came right out to repair seal around rooftop HVAC unit.
Student Programs & Enrollment
- Current 2024-2025 Enrollment - 126 PK = 8; K-5= 57; 6-8= 24; 9-12=35; LL-1; VLTS-1
Option IN - 35 Option Out - 22
- Completed and submitted Perkins Grant application.
- Completed and submitted Driver Safety Course renewal.
- Sent out request for potential Drivers’ Ed students for 25-26.
Personnel
- Kyle Boettcher offered Head Coach for Football
- Emma Christiansen hired as para/substitute for 25-26. Emma will also coach Cross Country and
Track.
- Seeking Asst. Football, Asst. JH Wrestling, HS Track, and E-Sports coaches for next year.
Principal
Student of the Month Nominees
Elementary - Colt Felz, Boone Dittbenner, Conor Gilbert, Kai Hageman, Trace Olsen, Dalton Gilbert,
Raelyn Peterson, Trenton Knaub, Bryson Rowell, Corielle Martinez, Amiah Cooper, Maggie Cooper,
Paycen West, Harli Revelle, Emersyn Stauffer, Declan Hollinger, Camden Knaub, Tatum Revelle,
Brogan Cross, Izaveaha Chairez, Fernanda Bocanegra, Jamison Martinez, Yovanni Rios Garcia,
George McGowan, Whitley McNees, Raelynn Felkins, Mesa Faden, Presley Grubbs, River Turner,
Kingston Martinez
Secondary - Travis Davison, Mason Vargas, Logan Mason, Jackson Onstott, Destineey Soto, Isaac
Olsen
All SOTM recipients and Honor Roll students are invited to an ice cream sundae social on Tuesday,
May 13th in the cafeteria at 3:00
NSCAS and ACT Testing - Grades 3-8 completed NSCAS English Language Arts and Math
assessments. Grades 5 and 8 complete NSCAS Science. Encouraging results: over 60% students
proficient on English and Math assessments; 86% of student proficient on Science; One set of
alternative assessments still to be scored; Juniors have received ACT results from the required
state testing.
Scheduling - Grades 6-12 - Master Schedule completed and students have been registered for fall
classes. Thank you to Mr. Cooper for his efforts
Seniors Last Day - Wednesday the 14 th Official last day was adjusted to meet NDE 1080 student
hour requirement
Technology Committee - Technology Committee met on May 9 th . Discussion items included
student device usage in grades 6-12, AI district policy, staff professional development, and use of
Class Intercom to streamline social media posting.
Coming Up
SOTM/Honor Roll Ice Cream Social May 13
District Track May 14
PreK/K Graduation May 15
Academic/Activity Banquet May 15
Class of 2025 Graduation May 17
Patrons Day May 19
K-3, 4-5 Field Trips May 20
AR Reward Party May 21
Last Day for Students May 22
Board of Education
No new items to report. Several policies will need to be revised following the close of the
Legislative session.
Consent Agenda
Motion to approve the consent agenda 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 the Minutes of the April 14th, 2025 regular meeting.
-Approve the payment of bills and salaries totaling $342,611.69 for the May 12th, 2025, regular
meeting.
-Continue Membership in MAC Conference
Committee Reports
Transportation and Grounds: Will meet after bus bids are received.
American Civics, Curriculum, and Technology: No report
Policy Review: Will meet after policy revisions are received from NASB.
Personnel and Negotiations: No report.
Approve transfer of Don Childs Memorial Benefit Savings Account and CD to Banner County
Public School Foundation
Approve the transfer by Banner Capital Bank of all funds from the Banner County School for Don
Childs Memorial Benefit account and CD to the Banner County Public School Foundation account.
Passed with a motion by John-Robert Faden 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
Comments from the Audience
There was no public comment.
Next Meeting
Transportation and Grounds Committee Meeting: June 9 th , 2025, 6:30 PM
Regular Meeting: June 9th, 2025, 7:00 PM
Meeting Adjourned
Adjourn the meeting at 8:05 PM. 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
Banner County School Schedule of Bills/Claims
AHLERS BAKING INC $31.98; CASH-WA DISTIBUTING $829.68; CDW GOVERNMENT $340.65;
CENTURY LINK $234.81; CONNECTING POINT $527.94; CONTINENTAL CLAY COMPANY $250.32;
CROSSROADS MUSIC $113.99; DAS STATE ACCTG $292.87; ESU #13 $11,495.20; FAIRFIELD INN
& SUITES $349.90; FERGUSON SIGNS INC $687.50; FLINN SCIENTIFIC INC $561.62; FRANK PARTS
$39.99; GRAINGER $36.22; GREATAMERICA LEASING CORP $270.28; HARRISBURG WATER
SYSTEM $593.22; HD SUPPLY $198.92; HIGH WEST ENERGY INC $2,381.54; HOME DEPOT
CREDIT SERVICES $36.09; INNOVATIVE OFFICE SOLUTIONS LLC $87.81; JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL
$448.20; KIMBALL AUTO PARTS LLC $426.04; LEGACY COOPERATIVE $295.65; MCGRAW HILL
LLC $5,286.65; MENARDS $237.60; MIDWEST BUS PARTS INC $2,788.16; MOBIUS
COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY $304.95; NCSA $860.00; NKC TIRE $69.50; PACK RAT DISPOSAL
$380.00; MARIE PARKER $210.00; PARSONS TRUCKING $250.00; PEETZ FARMERS COOP
$9,321.42; QUILL LLC $136.19; CAILY REECE $800.00; RION $290.00; THE ROCK PILE $1,642.20;
SCHOLASTIC INC $15.53; SCHOOL SPECIALTY LLC $179.20; STAR-HERALD $217.99; SOAR
PEDIATRIC THERAPY LLC $1,658.75; STAPLES ADVANTAGE $1,694.47; JESSICA STAUFFER
$1,700.00; VERIZON WIRELESS $161.13; WELLS FARGO CARD SERVICES $183.10; WELLS FARGO
CARD SERVICES $483.20; TOD WENGER $130.00; WESTCO $584.05; WESTERN NEBRASKA
OBSERVER $128.72; WIZNERD DEVELOPMENT GROUP LLC $857.50; WYOMING BEARING &
SUPPLIES $9.80; 125 CLEARING ACCOUNT $410.00; AFLAC $680.89; AFLAC $912.88; BANNER
COUNTY SCHOOL $915.00; BANNER COUNTY SCHOOL BLDG FUND $1,380.00; BCBS OF NE
$54,280.70; COLONIAL LIFE $183.93; COLONIAL LIFE $177.34; FEDERAL TAX PAYMENT
$41,486.79; HORACE MANN $264.34; LEGALSHIELD $57.80; MG TRUST COMPANY $8,501.03;
NEBRASKA DEPT OF REVENUE $5,755.33; NPERS $38,153.62; PORTIFOLIO RECOVERY
ASSOCIATES LLC $530.97; PRINCIPAL $854.02; VSP $630.06; PAYROLL $128,696.83