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, September 15, 2025

 

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, September 15, 2025 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, and Foundation One Bank. 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:           Present

Elizabeth Mayer:             Present

Jim Tomanek:                Present

Present: 6.

 

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 Jim Tomanek.

 

Cole Groteluschen: Yea, Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 6, 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, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

5.1.  Approve Minutes

Regular Meeting Date: 08/11/25

Special Meeting Date:

5.2.  Approve Claims for Payment

5.3.  Approve Financial Report

5.4.  Approve Classified Staff

Megan Hays-Lavender -Elem Sped Para

Rachel Higginson -HS Health Para

Autumn Burmeister -MS Health Para

Louis Gornick -Director of Food Service

Paige Peterson -Elem Sped Para

Jane Sullivan -Food Service

Deb TenEyck -Elem Sped Para

Izabella Bryson -Preschool Para

Lilly Kelly -Food Service

Miranda Menking -Preschool

Exit:

Miranda Menking -Preschool

Fernando Hunter -Custodial

 

6.  Old Business

6.1.  Committee Updates

The finance committee met on August 28th to review the proposed budget. The committee recommended that the entire Board meet and hold the budget hearing earlier than the same day as the regular meeting where approval of the budget is held in order to have a quality discussion about the proposals and allow for public input in advance of the regular monthly meeting.

 

7.  New Business

7.1.  Adopt Resolution Authorizing the Issuance and Sale of QCPUF Bonds for Long-Term Maintenance Projects

Paul Greiger, from DA Davidson, was present at the board meeting to answer any questions regarding the resolutions that were presented before the board regarding QCPUF.

 

The resolution to be adopted by the Board is to authorize the issuance and sale of QCPUF Bonds to fund our Long-Term Maintenance Projects, including projects outlined in the facility assessment conducted by BCDM Architects and Morrissey Engineering. This authorization allows the Board to continue the $0.03 levy in the QCPUF fund as the current bond series will be paid in full in 2025. Board members asked questions and discussed the selling of the new bonds and sequencing of finances and projects that will be planned in the coming months.

 

Motion to adopt A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT 0015 (DOUGLAS COUNTY WEST COMMUNITY SCHOOLS) IN THE STATE OF NEBRASKA AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND SALE BY THE DISTRICT OF ITS LIMITED TAX OBLIGATION SCHOOL BONDS, SERIES 2025, IN ONE OR MORE SERIES, IN THE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED THREE MILLION SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($3,600,000) FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING THE COSTS OF THE PROJECT DESCRIBED HEREIN; AUTHORIZING CERTAIN OFFICIALS TO DETERMINE THE FINAL AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT, MATURITIES, RATES, REDEMPTION PROVISIONS, TERMS AND OTHER DETAILS OF SUCH BONDS; AUTHORIZING THE DESIGNATION OF ANY SERIES OF BONDS AS EITHER TAX-EXEMPT OR TAXABLE OBLIGATIONS; IMPOSING A TAX TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF, PREMIUM, IF ANY, AND INTEREST ON SUCH BONDS; AUTHORIZING THE DESIGNATION OF ANY SERIES OF TAX_EXEMPT BONDS AS QUALIFIED TAX-EXEMPT OBLIGATIONS; AUTHORIZING THE SALE AND DELIVERY OF THE BONDS TO THE PURCHASER THEREOF; ADOPTING CERTAIN POST-ISSUANCE TAX COMPLIANCE AND DISCLOSURE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO THE BONDS; AUTHORIZING CERTAIN ACTIONS AND DOCUMENTS; AND PRESCRIBING OTHER MATTERS RELATING THERETO. Passed with a motion by Luke Janke and a second by Jim Tomanek.

 

Cole Groteluschen: Yea, Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

7.2.  Resolution to Increase Tax Request Authority Above the Base Growth Percentage

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 was made this year due to student and staffing needs, budgetary obligations, and loss of state and federal funding.

 

Motion to adopt the resolution to increase the property tax request authority as presented Passed with a motion by Jim Tomanek and a second by Jamie Jorgensen.

 

Cole Groteluschen: Yea, Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

7.3.  Approve the 2025-2026 Budget

Consider information, discussion, and public comments from the public hearings to approve the 2025-2026 budget.

 

Motion to approve the 2025-2026 budget as presented Passed with a motion by Jamie Jorgensen and a second by Kelly Hinrichs.

 

Cole Groteluschen: Yea, Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

7.4.  Adopt Resolution to Set the Final Tax Request

Consider information, discussion, and public comment from the public hearings to approve the resolution to set the final tax request for the 2025-2026 budget.

 

Motion to approve the resolution to set the final tax request for the 2025-2026 budget Passed with a motion by Kelly Hinrichs and a second by Luke Janke.

 

Cole Groteluschen: Yea, Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

7.5.  Authorize the Superintendent to Sell, Recycle, or Dispose of Property

We have some miscellaneous items that need sold, recycled, or disposed of:

• old football jerseys

• totaled driver’s ed car, Chevy Cruz (insurance payout $6,396.50)

• old ceiling mounted projectors

 

Motion to authorize the Superintendent to sell, recycle, or dispose of miscellaneous items Passed with a motion by Jamie Jorgensen and a second by Luke Janke.

 

Cole Groteluschen: Yea, Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

8.  Adjournment

Motion to adjourn meeting @ 7:24 pm. Passed with a motion by Kelly Hinrichs and a second by Jim Tomanek.

 

Cole Groteluschen: Yea, Kelly Hinrichs: Yea, Luke Janke: Yea, Jamie Jorgensen: Yea, Elizabeth Mayer: Yea, Jim Tomanek: Yea

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

Kristi Trost, Board Secretary

Dr. Melissa Poloncic, Superintendent

 

DOUGLAS COUNTY WEST SCHOOLS

SEPTEMBER 2025 CLAIMS

 

GENERAL FUND

ABE’S TRASH SERVICE, INC     1,200.00

ACH BANK FEE      45.00

ADVENTURE ENTERPRISES, LLC        4,442.00

AKRS EQUIPMENT SOLUTIONS INC   952.39

ALCOVE ROOFING 500.00

AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES, LLC      3,090.74

AMERICOM 

COMMUNICATIONS        19,215.31

AWARDS UNLIMITED INC        863.86

BORDER STATES INDUSTRIES INC    378.31

BOYS TOWN         3,900.00

BSN SPORTS LLC   2,657.16

CARDIO PARTNERS INC  703.23

CASEY’S BUSINESS MASTERCARD      91.91

CASTILLO, ERIC    200.00

CENGAGE LEARNING      94.50

CINTAS CORP       362.52

CITI CARD - COSTCO     213.98

CITY OF VALLEY    3,456.50

CLEMMER, GARY   135.00

COMPLETE COMMUNICATION, LLC    4,632.00

COX BUSINESS     393.34

CROUCH     

RECREATIONAL DESIGN INC    8,000.00

DAILY RECORD, THE      491.99

DC WEST    

DEPRECIATION FUND     300,000.00

DC WEST FOOD SERVICE        896.50

DEMCO INC 63.99

DIETZE MUSIC HOUSE    14.40

DOUGLAS COUNTY SHERIFF    64,323.56

EAGLE SERVICES INC.    530.00

EAKES OFFICE PLUS       7,418.00

EGAN SUPPLY CO  11,441.18

ESU COORDINATING COUNCIL 976.50

FIRST STUDENT    3,437.57

GOODWIN TUCKER        1,864.25

GREAT KIDS, INC  3,712.00

GREATER NEBRASKA     

SUPERINTENDENTS       250.00

H & H MOTORS    

PAPILLIONS LLC   63,342.00

HEARTLAND PEST CONTROL    360.00

HITCHED UP TRAILER, LLC      10,660.00

HOLIDAY INN       471.80

HOMETOWN LEASING    2,522.27

HONEYMAN RENT-ALL #1        152.21

HUMANEX VENTURES LLC        9,350.00

INFOSAFE SHREDDING INC     90.00

INSECT LORE        52.35

JD’S CAR WASH & DETAILING  2,900.00

JKE HOSPITALITY MOBILE LLC 3,699.00

JOURNEYED.COM, INC    9,459.20

JUST FOR KIDS THERAPY INC  3,141.75

JW PEPPER & SONS       138.24

LANGUAGE LINE SERVICES, INC        45.81

LOVE’S TRAVEL STOPS &        

COUNTRY STORE  893.70

MADISON NATIONAL LIFE INS CO IN 3,141.65

MAGIC WRIGHTER, INC. 426.75

MARKING REFRIGERATION, INC        2,575.00

MATHESON TRI-GAS INC         43.05

MENARDS - ELKHORN    916.07

METRO BASKETBALL     

COACHES ASSOCIATION 180.00

MULTI-HEALTH SYSTEMS INC. 75.00

NACIA         250.00

NASB ALICAP        242,280.00

NATIONAL ASSOC FOR  

MUSIC EDUCATION        72.00

NCS PEARSON INC         109.50

NE COUNCIL OF SCHOOL ADM 100.00

NEBR ASSOCATION OF  

SCHOOL BOARDS  65.00

NEBRASKA METHODIST COLLEGE     136.50

NEBRASKA SAFETY CENTER     250.00

OMAHA      

PUBLIC POWER DISTRICT       29,898.73

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD         2,799.00

ONE SOURCE        757.00

PECHOUS, NICOLE         1,149.00

PITNEY BOWES GLOBAL

FINANCIAL SERVICES     96.00

PITSCO EDUCATION, LLC         3,012.52

PRAIRIE MECHANICAL CORP    13,155.74

PUBLICATION PRINTING 616.25

S & S BLEACHERS, LLC   3,220.00

SECURITY EQUIPMENT INC.     1,046.25

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CO 85.64

SPEECH SQUAD, LLC      16,625.25

STANZEL’S MOW & SNOW LLC 5,975.00

SUPERIOR HONDA OF OMAHA 43,249.00

SWEETWATER SOUND, LLC     841.00

TUFF SHED  10,994.60

UNIV OF NEBR MEDICAL CENTER      3,000.00

UNIVERSITY OF NEBR OMAHA -       

CEHHS        300.00

USBANK      9,321.51

VALENTINO’S        342.57

VALLEY ACE HARDWARE 958.30

VERIZON     210.28

VILLAGE POINT TOYOTA         180.00

VISION SERVICE PLAN    1,147.23

WALD, BOB 399.00

WALMART COMMUNITY  39.66

WASTE CONNECTIONS OF      

NEBR, INC   1,635.87

WATER ENGINEERING INC      317.62

WEST O CHAMBER         350.00

WESTERN   

PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES     148.47

WOODRIVER ENERGY LLC       3,093.93

YORK PUBLIC SCHOOLS 175.00

963,986.96

 

DEPRECIATION

AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES, LLC     157.79

BLAZER ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT         6,657.00

BSN SPORTS LLC  22,135.00

CROUCH     

RECREATIONAL DESIGN INC    26,510.00

GOPHER SPORT    269.00

LAKESHORE LEARNING  

MATERIALS, LLC   177.08

MACKIN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES  1,345.35

SCHOOL SPECIALTY INC 4,175.61

START SAFETY, INC.      8,347.00

WATERBOY SPORTS, LLC         1,100.00

70,873.83

 

NUTRITION FUND

CANTEEN REFRESHMENT SERVICES  152.37

CASH-WA DISTRIBUTING        12,764.07

CHESTERMAN CO  897.83

CINTAS CORP       398.88

HILAND DAIRY      3,487.24

NASB ALICAP        13,109.00

ROTELLA’S ITALIAN BAKERY INC      823.47

SYSCO LINCOLN    8,472.26

US FOOD INC       19,053.73

59,158.85

 

SPECIAL BUILIDING FUND

DC WEST ACTIVITY ACCOUNT 10,000.00

 

9/30            ZNEZ

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