Regular Meeting of the Board of Education
Aug 17, 2026
The lede
- Board approved a $70 million Phase 2 facilities roadmap for deferred maintenance projects (HVAC, roofing, bathrooms) to be funded through bonds over several years with a tax-rate-neutral plan
- Approved a waiver allowing show choir students to be excused from PE requirements, after 10+ years of advocacy and data collection showing cardiovascular benefits
- Approved $30,000 contract to hold 2027 graduations at BMO Center on May 23, despite budget concerns, based on prior research study recommending the venue for accessibility and family participation
- Approved hiring Jenny Sakura as Director of Curriculum following Dr. Valant’s departure; MTSS position eliminated due to budget deficit
Attendance & housekeeping
Present: Barbi Yunk, Jermaine Pigee, Scott Mueller, Holly Houk, Jorge Herrera, Jeff Diestelmeier, Brian Hoemke
Meeting called to order: 6:18 p.m. following closed executive session
Agenda approved as presented with no amendments
Decisions & votes
Agenda approval — Approved unanimously (7–0)
Hoemke moved, Mueller seconded
Personnel report (Consent Item #3) — Approved 6–0–1 (Yunk abstained)
Houk moved, Pigee seconded
- Included approval of Jenny Sakura as Director of Curriculum
Bills (Consent Item #5) — Approved unanimously (7–0)
Mueller moved, Hoemke seconded
- Discussion: $40,000–$60,000/month spent on Amazon for school supplies; board requested analytics report on purchases
All other consent items — Approved unanimously (7–0)
Mueller moved, Yunk seconded
- Minutes, financial reports, contracts (Agape Therapies, Google Workspace), excess property disposal, overnight field trip, fundraiser requests
Policy 7:220 Bus Conduct (revisions) — Approved unanimously (7–0)
Yunk moved, Houk seconded
Policy 7:260 Exemption from Physical Education (revisions) — Approved unanimously (7–0)
Diestelmeier moved, Mueller seconded
Resolution authorizing engagement of licensed real estate broker — Approved unanimously (7–0)
Hoemke moved, Pigee seconded
- No public comments received on Perry property
FMP project funding transfer to Washington Academy — Approved unanimously (7–0)
Hoemke moved, Pigee seconded
- Transfers Phase 1 funds to expand HVAC work at Washington while ceilings are already down to avoid paying twice
Facility Phase 2 projects ($70 million roadmap) — Approved 6–1 (Mueller voted no)
Pigee moved, Hoemke seconded
- Notable discussion: Does not include $30 million early childhood center; focuses on deferred maintenance (HVAC, roofing, bathrooms); tax-rate neutral plan presented by Stifel; individual projects over $35,000 will return to board for approval; Nexus can now proceed with planning and bid packages
Revenue opportunity research study proposal — Approved unanimously (7–0)
Hoemke moved, Houk seconded
- Will explore alternative revenue streams (e.g., fundraising similar to post-secondary institutions); committee to include stakeholders, PTO/booster reps; board member needed (meeting time 2:45 p.m. problematic for some)
Resolution requesting PE waiver for show choir students — Approved unanimously (7–0)
Hoemke moved, Diestelmeier seconded
- 5-year waiver (2027–28 through 2031–32); students collected heart-rate data showing cardiovascular benefits; both PE and choir departments support; took 10+ years to reach this point
2027 graduation dates (BMO Center, May 23) — Approved unanimously (7–0)
Mueller moved, Diestelmeier seconded
- North at 10 a.m., BHS at 2 p.m.; cost ~$30,000 vs. ~$15,000 at school stadiums; discussion on budget concerns but board cited accessibility, weather concerns, and prior research study recommending venue
2026–27 Parent/Student Handbook changes — Approved unanimously (7–0)
Yunk moved, Mueller seconded
- Annual updates aligned with IPA model handbook and PRESS policy
Social emotional support (Maro platform contract) — Approved unanimously (7–0)
Hoemke moved, Houk seconded
- No-cost platform for mental health screening practice; state will require screener starting next year
Discussion items (no vote)
Stifel/PTMA financial presentation (Ann Noble, Stifel):
- Current bonds: ~$8 million annually through 2029, then step down to ~$3 million
- Sales tax revenue (~$4.6 million/year) currently used for bond abatement; will continue indefinitely
- Debt service extension base (DSEB): ~$2.55 million annually (grows with CPI)
- Health Life Safety bonds exempt from DSEB; require state/ROE approval
- Phase 1 funding: $12 million district contribution + $20.9 million HLS bonds (2025) + $18 million HLS bonds (2026) = ~$50 million
- Phase 2 proposed funding (tax-rate neutral): $28 million working cash/HLS bonds (2027), $17 million HLS (2028), $25 million sales tax bonds (2028), $30 million sales tax bonds (2030) = $100 million Phase 2 + ~$150 million total
- Assumptions: 1% EAV growth for 5 years then flat; no sales tax revenue growth; $500,000/year sales tax reserved for pay-as-you-go projects; current interest rates + 0.25%
- Tax rate currently 4.7% (down from 5.7% in 2022); bonds represent ~0.5% of levy; debt service on property tax bonds runs through 2047; sales tax bonds run through 2044
- Estimated savings: $100,000/year energy, $300,000/year operations/maintenance
- Timeline for 2026 HLS bonds: public hearing Sept., board approval Oct., receipt of funds Nov.
First readings (Policy & Personnel Committee):
- 2:230 Public Participation at School Board Meetings
- 5:40 Communicable and Chronic Infectious Disease
- 5:240 Suspension
- 7:30 Student Assignment and Intra-District Transfer
- 7:330 Student Use of Buildings - Equal Access (rewritten)
- 8:70 Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities
All will return for final approval in September
Strategic Plan updates — Materials provided; no extended discussion
Multilingual Program Review — External review of program design, compliance, efficiencies; recommendations forthcoming
Summer school recap — Highlighted mural completed by special education students
Public comment
Public hearing on PE waiver for show choir:
- Rebecca Carl: Supported waiver; noted students choreograph routines, heart rates higher than in PE/track; has advocated for 10 years
- Dr. Philip Vermillion (BHS Vocal Music): Thanked administration, PE dept., colleagues; students collected physiological data (heart rates, steps); called it “cardiography” instead of choreography; could help restart show choir at BHS
- Christine Lut (North Music Boosters president) & Heather Gaglaniano: Supported waiver; noted scheduling difficulties for students in band/choir/athletics/AP classes; marching band already has PE waiver
General public comment:
- Matt Zicker: Acknowledged passing of teacher/coach Jack McCarthy; praised North AP score improvements; questioned MTSS position elimination; opposed $70+ million early childhood/Phase 2 spending; noted tax bills up 50% in 5 years; suggested cheaper options (retrofit Calonia/Washington); questioned whether taxes would decline as promised
- Lyla Wigger (student) & Thomas Wigger (parent): Requested exception to enrollment policy; family moved but was told Lyla could stay at BHS; Lyla (15, freshman) asked to remain at BHS where she has friends, teachers, academic success (A/B average); concerned about starting over at new school
- Kit (last name unclear): Questioned early childhood center prioritization; asked about current EC capacity, cost ($30 million?), staffing costs, operating costs; asked if debt still expires or if referendum/sales tax needed; noted district operates in deficit yet keeps adding positions; cited $8 million for Everest over several years, $35,000 breakroom project approaching $500,000; challenged board on fiscal responsibility; questioned how many emails supporting EC are from taxpayers vs. employees
- Tina Taylor (BEA president): Praised regular BEA/administration communication; asked board to consult stakeholders (teachers, staff, secretaries, paras) before major decisions; emphasized importance of listening to those closest to the work; highlighted staff success with AP scores and “walk of champions” for AP students
Notable moments
- Board celebrated Dr. Carson and Dr. Johnson for completing AASA National Principal Supervisor Academy
- Dr. Carson’s article published in PD365 Quarterly Journal on student-led design of Portrait of a Graduate
- Shout-outs: Ron Anderson (5th grade teacher at Lincoln); Dena Carlson & Kenya Garcia-Tanakeco (SIS coordinators for e-school to Synergy transition); BHS student athletes cleaning up at fair; Janine for managing fair booth
- Jack McCarthy (longtime coach/teacher) passed away; acknowledged by Matt Zicker
- Amazon spending discussion: District spends $40,000–$60,000/month on supplies via Amazon; delivery often arrives by truck; board requested analytics report; humor about “$200,000 Corvette” and “if my wife saw my Amazon bill”
- Show choir waiver backstory: Took 10+ years; students collected heart-rate data proving cardiovascular benefits exceeding PE/track; affectionately renamed choreography “cardiography”
- Graduation cost debate: $30,000 BMO Center vs. ~$15,000 at school stadiums; board cited accessibility, weather, family participation, prior research study; acknowledged budget concerns but approved
- Tax rate semantics clarification: Extended discussion on difference between tax rate (percentage) vs. tax bill (dollar amount); rate declining even as bills rise due to assessed values
- Early childhood not included in Phase 2: Board emphasized $70 million is deferred maintenance only; $30 million for potential EC would require separate community engagement
- Jenny Sakura promoted to Director of Curriculum; MTSS position eliminated due to budget deficit
- Nexus cost estimate correction: Original 2023 needs assessment ($110 million) was components-only, not full project costs; updated to ~$180 million with design, architectural, inflation; Nexus estimates now comprehensive
- Humor: “Pickle ball tests,” “Nick Chad Chich,” “I wish I had a $200,000 Corvette,” “are we going to approve 70,000?” ($70 million typo), “donation bucket at graduation,” calling BMO “Metro Center,” jokes about Tyler Battle’s video and music licensing
- Dr. Shug’s video announcement: Tyler Battle starred in welcome-back video; board invited to 7:30 a.m. or 2:15 p.m. institute day showing; video will not be posted publicly due to music licensing
Meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.