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, March 9, 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, March 9, 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 Banlc, 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 tbe 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: 5, Absent: 1.

Attendance Update Taken at 7:01 PM.

Elizabeth Mayer:   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. The Board received a thank you from the family of Kelly Berggren and from the family of Sara Widhlem.

 

3.  Approval of Agenda

Motion to approve agenda as presented Passed with a motion by Luke Janke 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

 

4. Administrative Reports

4.1.  Superintendent’s Report

Board member Mayer asked about wage comparisons for food service staff with other school districts and conference schools. Dr. Poloncic confirmed having wage comparison data available and offered to share relevant information via email.

4.2.  Financial Report

 

5.  Consent Agenda

Motion to approve Consent Agenda 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

 

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

Norma Wallace - hire food service 2/4/2026

Ali Del Luna - exit 2/4/2026

Riley Alexander -hire 2/4/2026 - exit 2/17/2026

 

6.  New Business

6.1.  High School Continuous Improvement Presentation

The High School administration shared a continuous improvement presentation with the Board.

 

6.2.  2026-2027 School Year Capacity Resolution

       The Board discussed school capacity planning for the 2026-27 school year, with discussions about staffing and student enrollment across grade levels. Per policy 5006, option enrollment capacity is determined by the Board of Education. The resolution for appendix 1 to the option enrollment policy was passed in October. The administration recommended the approval of a new resolution dated March 9th in order to use the most updated enrollment information available in determining Option Enrollment acceptance for 2026-2027 between March 15th and April 1st.

 

Motion to approve the resolution for Appendix 1, Policy 5006 as presented Passed with a motion by Kelly Hinrichs 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

 

Motion to approve the resolution as presented Passed with a motion by Kelly Hinrichs 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

 

6.3.  Approve Representative for the Board of Nebraska Educational Building Association (NEBA)

Board Member Janke, current DC West Representative on the NEBA Board and former Board President, proposed a change to the district’s representation. Mr. Janke recommended that the Superintendent serve as the district’s representative moving forward, rather than the Board continuing to appoint the sitting Board President. He suggested that this change would provide greater long-term continuity, ensure more regular attendance at interlocal meetings, and align DC West’s representation with other member districts. The Board confirmed that the Finance Committee will continue to monitor the NEBA loan numbers annually to keep up with its financial oversight duties. Motion to approve the resolution as presented 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

 

6.4.  Approve the Resignations (Retirements) of Certificated Staff Members

 

The following certificated staff have submitted their resignation to retire at the end of the 2025-2026 school year:

 

Mr. Russ Ninemire, Middle School PE

Mrs. Cindy Hayden, Elementary Special Education

 

Motion to approve the resignation (retirement) of Mr. Russ Ninemire, Middle School PE and Mrs. Cindy Hayden, Elementary Special Education Passed with a motion by Jamie Jorgensen 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

 

6.5. Authorize the Superintendent to Sell, Recycle, or Dispose of Materials Items that need to be sold, recycled, and disposed of:

 

•   Old music from our music curriculum

•   Computers and iPads to be recycled (resold) after new purchase

•   Old football jerseys

 

Motion to authorize the Superintendent to sell, recycle, or dispose of materials Passed with a motion by Luke Janke and a second by Cole Groteluschen.

 

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

Yea: 6, Nay: 0

 

Before adjournment, Board Member Mayer asked about researching a school app to improve district communication. Dr. Poloncic reported that she is already working with the technology staff to look into various options.

 

7.  Adjournment

Motion to adjourn meeting@ 7:48pm Passed with a motion by Kelly Hinrichs and a second by Cole Groteluschen.

 

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

MARCH 2026 CLAIMS

                 

GENERAL FUND          

4N6 FANATICS LLC                 200.00

95 PERCENT GROUP LLC         377.30

ACH BANK FEE               64.75

ADVENTURE ENTERPRISES, LLC        3,290.50

ALDANA, MARCO            80.00

AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES, LLC      2,307.47

APPTEGY, INC               18,242.00

AWARDS UNLIMITED INC                 1,660.65

BEHAVIOR ADVANTAGE, LLC             5,000.00

BISHOP NEUMANN HIGH SCHOOL     40.00

BLAIR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS           125.00

BOOKWORM, INC, THE            427.77

BORDER STATES INDUSTRIES INC    138.81

BOYS TOWN                  3,000.00

CASEY’S BUSINESS MASTERCARD     319.61

CITY OF VALLEY            902.75

CITY WIDE FACILITY SOLUTIONS      6,500.00

COX BUSINESS              198.04

DAILY RECORD, THE               848.37

DC WEST ACTIVITY ACCOUNT          60.00

DC WEST FOOD SERVICE                  1,440.30

DIETZE MUSIC HOUSE             32.20

EDUCATIONAL     

SERVICE UNIT #2 44,891.34

EDUCATIONAL     

SERVICE UNIT #3          718.88

EGAN SUPPLY CO           1,415.64

ELKHORN NORTH HIGH SCHOOL      114.00

ENGINEERED CONTROLS, INC           3,925.00

EZ FLEX LLC         6,000.00

FAS-BREAK           90.00

FIBER PLATFORM, LLC            558.62

FIRST STUDENT             40,356.27

GARAGE DOOR SERVICES INC          560.00

GILES, DARBY                80.00

HEARTLAND PEST CONTROL             260.00

HELM SERVICE              598.00

HOMETOWN LEASING             2,522.27

HUGHES TREE SERVICE           4,798.15

HUMBERT, MARGARET            65.00

HY-VEE INC          80.00

INSTITUTE FOR MULTI-SENSORY     

EDUCATION          82.95

JUST FOR KIDS THERAPY INC           5,591.25

KERNS, JEFFREY            2,242.73

LANGUAGE LINE SERVICES, INC       2.56

LOGAN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL             72.00

LOVE’S TRAVEL STOPS &        

COUNTRY STORE           1,195.59

MACKIN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES  61.08

MADISON NATIONAL     

LIFE INS CO IN              2,996.93

MAGIC WRIGHTER, INC.          222.25

MARKING REFRIGERATION, INC       302.50

MATHESON TRI-GAS INC                  109.72

MAX I. WALKER             383.20

MENARDS - ELKHORN             185.16

MIDWEST MOVEMENT             510.00

MORRISSEY, RICHARD            350.00

MULTI-HEALTH SYSTEMS INC.          220.00

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL        NURSES              125.00

NE COUNCIL OF SCHOOL ADM          315.00

NEBR ASSOCATION OF  

SCHOOL BOARDS           140.00

NEBR STATE BANDMASTERS ASSOC  107.00

OMAHA PUBLIC    

POWER DISTRICT 23,750.81

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD                  2,799.00

ONE SOURCE                 84.50

PETTY CASH                  360.00

PITNEY BOWES BANK,   

INC PURCHASE POWER           62.37

PITNEY BOWES GLOBAL FINANCIAL SERVICES             96.00

PITNEY BOWES, INC               459.95

POWERSCHOOL CORPORATION        7,393.97

PRAIRIE MECHANICAL CORP             3,705.00

PRIME HOME DEVELOPMENTAL         2,494.80

READ NATURALLY INC            108.90

RIVERSIDE INSIGHT                2,203.60

SCHOOL SPECIALTY INC          53.28

SIX SHIFTS, LLC, THE             483.00

SPEECH SQUAD, LLC               17,475.75

STANZEL’S MOW & SNOW LLC          7,483.25

STEMFINITY, LLC           527.93

SULLIVAN, MITCHELL              160.00

THUNDERBIRDS FORENSICS   

BOOSTER CLUB             102.00

TIMECLOCK PLUS, LLC             4,875.00

TRAVIS, JEREMY            20.00

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA     

KEARNEY              125.00

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-   

LINCOLN              60.00

USBANK               1,003.22

VALLEY ACE HARDWARE         514.20

VECTOR SOLUTIONS               5,045.94

VERIZON              105.14

WASTE CONNECTIONS  

OF NEBR, INC                1,593.87

WATER ENGINEERING INC               317.62

WOODRIVER ENERGY LLC       19,777.76

ZOOM VIDEO       

COMMUNICATION, INC.           9.34

ZTRIP - WHC NE, LLC              1,721.02

                  272,475.83

                 

NUTRITION FUND               

CASH-WA DISTRIBUTING        14,778.50

CHESTERMAN CO           178.00

HILAND DAIRY               4,379.83

MAX I. WALKER             333.80

ROTELLA’S ITALIAN BAKERY INC      633.99

SYSCO LINCOLN            10,707.20

US FOOD INC                 8,923.23

                  39,934.55

                 

QCPUF               

BERINGER CIACCIO       

DENNEL MABREY           1,968.75

                 

3/20   ZNEZ

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