MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING 

OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION 

OF DOUGLAS COUNTY 

SCHOOL DISTRICT 28-0015, 

a/k/a, DOUGLAS COUNTY WEST COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 

Monday, June 8, 2026

 

The regular meeting of the Board of Education, District #15, in the County of Douglas, in the State of Nebraska, was convened in open and public session on Monday, June 8, 2026 at the Central Office Board Room, 401 South Pine Street, Valley, NE 68064-0378. 

 

Following public notification procedures approved by the Board of Education, February 14, 2011, in adherence to 84-1411, notice of the meeting was given in advance thereof by posting such Notice on the exterior front door of the high school, elementary school, middle school, Valley City Hall, First Nebraska Bank, Foundation One Bank and the Daily Record. Notice of the meeting was simultaneously given to all members of the Board of Education. Availability of the agenda was communicated in advance notice and in the notice to the Board of Education of the meeting. All proceedings hereafter shown were taken while the convened meeting was open to the attendance of the public. 

 

Attendance Taken at 7:00 PM.

Cole Groteluschen: Present

Kelly Hinrichs: Present

Luke Janke: Present

Jamie Jorgensen: Absent

Elizabeth Mayer: Absent

Jim Tomanek: Present

Present: 4, Absent: 2.

 

1. Call to Order

The agenda, listing items for consideration by the Board, is on file in the Superintendent’s office. Other matters may come before the Board and the Board has the right to modify the agenda before the meeting.

 

President -”As I call the meeting to order I wish to inform everyone present that a current copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted on the back wall of the Board Room for your review at any time.”

 

2. Public Communications and Correspondence

Comments from the audience were accepted at this time. No correspondence addressed to the Board.

 

3. Approval of Agenda

Motion to approve agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Kelly Hinrichs and a second by Cole Groteluschen.

 

Cole Groteluschen: Yea, Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 4, Nay: 0

 

4. Administrative Reports

4.1. Superintendent’s Report

4.2. Financial Report

 

5. Consent Agenda

Motion to approve Consent Agenda Passed with a motion by Kelly Hinrichs and a second by Luke Janke. 

 

Cole Groteluschen: Yea, Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 4, Nay: 0

 

5.1. Approve Minutes 

Regular Meeting Date: 

Special Meeting Date: 

5.2. Approve Claims for Payment

5.3. Approve Financial Report 

5.4. Approve Classified Staff 

Maddison Zach - exit preschool 

Cheryl Eckerman - exit elem library para

Shawn Rochford - exit preschool 

Kitchen staff exit: 

Lilly Kelly 

Megan Jensen 

Jane Sullivan 

Keilan Alcolea Alvaez 

Kari West 

Moria Winters 

Eugena Urban 

Amy Wieczorek 

Kitty Virden 

Amber Lopez 

Kelly Ellis 

Norma Wallace

 

6. Old Business

6.1. Committee Updates

The Finance committee met on Monday, June 1st at 5:15pm to discuss the 2027 Fiscal Year budget, specifically the resolution to authorize additional property tax request authority being on the June Board agenda.

 

The American Civics committee met on Monday, June 8th at 6:15pm to discuss and review needed policy updates for 2026.

 

6.2. Building and Grounds Committee of the Whole

 

Agenda for the Buildings and Grounds Committee of the Whole:

• Master Plan Update

 

• BCDM outlined a comprehensive master planning process, which is currently in its early stages of engaging staff and students for visioning and goal-setting. A 30-minute board work session was requested and scheduled for July 13, 2026, at 6:15 PM, immediately preceding the next regular meeting, allowing BCDM to meet with the Board to go over master plan engagement activities.

 

• Summer Project Update

o The Air Handling Unit (AHU) replacement project managed by Fluid Mechanical is experiencing equipment delivery delays; we are monitoring progress to ensure completion before the school year starts.

 

o Repairs on the North Gym doors are complete. The district received one bid for the total replacement cost of these doors, amounting to approximately $85,000. It was recommended that this replacement project be moved to the long-term maintenance plan utilizing QCPUF funds.

 

o The district is awaiting final vendor bids for elementary building window treatments and facility furniture updates. Additional vape detectors are slated for installation in designated zones, parking lots at the middle and high schools are scheduled for repainting, and the weight room exterior signage is being repaired and repainted.

 

7. New Business

7.1. Director of Activities and Athletics Continuous Improvement Presentation

 

As a part of the year-long administrative presentations on continuous improvement, Mr. Jeremy Travis, Director of Activities and Athletics, presented his continuous improvement overview to the Board.

 

7.2. Food Service Management Contract Approval 

 

As discussed at the May Board meeting, our Food Service Management Company RFP process has been completed. We have since received formal approval from the Nebraska Department of Education for the Board to approve and the Superintendent to sign the one-year contract with Lunchtime Solutions, with an option to renew for four additional years. The proposal, along with a final addendum, from Lunchtime Solutions can was available to the board for review. The contract was reviewed with our legal counsel. 

 

Lunchtime Solutions intends to meet with all of our food service personnel on June 10th for employment transition and orientation. 

 

Motion to Approve Passed with a motion by Luke Janke and a second by Kelly Hinrichs. 

 

Cole Groteluschen: Yea, Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea 

Yea: 4, Nay: 0 

 

7.3. Resolution to Increase Base Growth Tax Request Authority for the 2027 Fiscal Year Budget 

As discussed in the finance committee, DC West Community Schools Board may increase its base growth tax request authority by 6% with at least seventy percent of the Board of Education voting in favor of the  increased request. 

 

This increase request is recommended by the administration to be made this year due to student and staffing needs and budgetary obligations. The Board will likely not need to use the entire 6% authority; the remaining unused authority will be added to future years’ calculations. 

 

The reason the administration is recommending approval of this in June is to provide an accurate authority amount for budgeting throughout the summer months. The Board will still approve the entire budget and use of this authority in the September hearing and budget approval.

 

Motion to postpone this action until the July 13th board meeting due to not having 70% of the board in attendance to vote this evening motion by Kelly Hinrichs and a second by Luke Janke. 

 

Cole Groteluschen: Yea, Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea 

Yea: 4, Nay: 0 

 

7.4. Correction of Record: Girls Wrestling Coach Level Title 

 

To amend the motion from the May 11, 2026 Board meeting regarding the Girls Wrestling Coach level to state middle school instead of high school. 

 

Motion to amend the action taken on May 11, 2026 to correctly identify the Girls Wrestling Coach as Middle School instead of High School Passed with a motion by Kelly Hinrichs and a second by Jim Tomanek. 

 

Cole Groteluschen: Yea, Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea 

Yea: 4, Nay: 0

 

8. Adjournment

Motion to adjourn meeting at 7:41 pm Passed with a motion by Luke Janke and a second by Cole Groteluschen.

 

Cole Groteluschen: Yea, Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 4, Nay: 0

 

Kristi Trost, Board Secretary

Dr. Melissa Poloncic, Superintendent

 

DOUGLAS COUNTY WEST SCHOOLS

JUNE 2026 CLAIMS

 

GENERAL FUND

ACH BANK FEE 64.75

AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES, LLC 1,541.65

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, INC. 103.40

AMERICOM COMMUNICATIONS       18,926.25 

AWARDS UNLIMITED INC 1,626.28 BERINGER CIACCIO DENNEL MABREY 1,698.62

BLOOKLET LLC 419.16

BORDER STATES INDUSTRIES INC 84.42

BSN SPORTS LLC 23,144.64

CAMELOT TRANSPORTATION INC 850.00

CAPPEL NAPA AUTO SUPPLY - VALLEY       27.99

CASEY’S BUSINESS MASTERCARD 96.59

CITY OF VALLEY 1,736.50

CITY WIDE FACILITY SOLUTIONS 6,500.00

CODE HS, INC 3,850.00

COX BUSINESS 197.26

DAILY RECORD, THE 327.99

DC WEST FOOD SERVICE 1,176.85

DIETZE MUSIC HOUSE 21.04

EAGLE SERVICES INC. 97.15

EDUCATIONAL SERVICE UNIT #2 9,816.36

EDUCATIONAL SERVICE UNIT #3 245.00

EGAN SUPPLY CO 17,542.26

ENGINEERED CONTROLS, INC 3,925.00

FIBER PLATFORM, LLC 558.62

FIRST STUDENT, INC 38,917.88

FREMONT ELECTRIC INC 385.00

HEARTLAND PEST CONTROL 280.00

HOMETOWN LEASING 2,522.27

HUMBERT, MARGARET 52.00

JOSTENS INC 31.40

JP BOILER SERVICE 2,160.00

JUST FOR KIDS THERAPY INC 4,260.00

LOVE’S TRAVEL STOPS & 

COUNTRY STORE 2,531.57

MACKIN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES 624.02

MADISON NATIONAL LIFE INS CO IN 3,007.58

MAGIC WRIGHTER, INC. 343.00

MARIAN HIGH SCHOOL 92.00

MATHESON TRI-GAS INC 106.57

MAX I. WALKER 393.50

MCGRAW-HILL EDUCATION INC      18,556.23

MENARDS - ELKHORN 395.36

MIDWEST MOVEMENT 255.00

MILLARD NORTH HIGH SCHOOL 100.00

N S A A 300.00

NCS PEARSON INC 830.00

NEBRASKA COACHES ASSOC 1,205.00

NEBRASKA METHODIST COLLEGE 143.00

NEBRASKA UMPIRES ASSOC 110.00

ODEY’S INC 2,330.00

OMAHA PUBLIC POWER DISTRICT   22,484.55

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD 2,999.00

ONE SOURCE 303.40

OS BRAKE, INC 560.03

P & H ELECTRIC INC 558.00

PERRY GUTHERY HAASE

& GESSFORD 1,311.00

PINES COUNTRY CLUB, INC 1,500.00

PITNEY BOWES GLOBAL 

FINANCIAL SERVICES 96.00

PORKY BUTTS BBQ 1,610.95

POSTMASTER 126.00

PRAIRIE MECHANICAL CORP 8,743.00

PRIME HOME DDS 4,039.88

PUBLICATION PRINTING 487.05

SAVVAS LEARNING COMPANY 800.00

SHADOW LAKE COLLISION 500.00

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CO 679.71

SOKOL CAMP ASSOCIATION 75.00

SPEECH SQUAD, LLC 13,952.25

STANZEL’S MOW & SNOW LLC 2,850.00

STUDENT ASSURANCE SERVICES INC   1,525.00

USBANK 2,030.21

VALLEY ACE HARDWARE 183.07

VANDELOO, KATRINA 585.00

VERIZON 105.14

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF NEBR, INC   1,593.87

WATER ENGINEERING INC 317.62

WIESE PLUMBING & 

EXCAVATING, INC 1,029.78

WINSUPPLY COMMERCIAL CHARGE 2,630.54

WOODRIVER ENERGY LLC 6,054.98

ZOOM VIDEO 

COMMUNICATION, INC. 9.32

254,249.51

 

NUTRITION FUND

CASH-WA DISTRIBUTING 4,092.71

HILAND DAIRY 3,540.13

MAX I. WALKER 265.60

ROTELLA’S ITALIAN BAKERY INC 490.45

SYSCO LINCOLN 5,595.77

US FOOD INC 6,723.52

20,708.18

 

SPECIAL BUILIDING FUND

FIRST CITIZENS BANK 991,902.93

 

QCPUF

BERINGER CIACCIO DENNEL MABREY  1,968.75

 

6/18 ZNEZ

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

DOUGLAS COUNTY 

WEST COMMUNITY SCHOOL

NOTICE OF MEETING

June 23rd, 2026

3:00 pm

 

NOTICE OF IDEA PUBLIC MEETING

 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF DOUGLAS COUNTY WEST COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, DISTRICT #15, will meet in a Special Public Session at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.  The meeting will be held in the Central Office Board Room, 401 S. Pine St, Valley, Nebraska.  The meeting will be open to the public.

The purpose of the meeting will be to provide an opportunity for parents and representatives of nonpublic schools to participate in the development of a plan for providing special education services to children with disabilities who attend nonpublic schools and home schools which are within the DC West School District for the 2026-2027 school year.  Parents of a home-schooled child or a child attending a nonpublic school who has been or may be identified with a disability and attend a nonpublic school within the boundaries of DC West, are urged to attend.  

If you have further questions pertaining to this meeting, please contact DC West at 402-359-2583.

 

6/18 ZNEZ

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––