January 14, 2026 at 7:05 PM - Board of Education Regular Monthly Meeting

Discussion:  President Lutkemeier opened the meeting at 7:05 am.  The meeting notice was advertised in the December 25th publication of the Webster County Sun.  "The Open Meetings Act" poster was displayed in the meeting room.

Discussion:  Pursuant to 79-520 and 79-564 and by law 8400, the Board has the power to select its own officers and shall elect from among its members a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer at its first regular board meeting and annually thereafter.  President Lutkemeier took the liberty of allowing the Superintendent to serve as chairperson for this part of the meeting.

Discussion:  Mr. Bauer opened the floor for nominations for the Office of School Board President.  Alan Bonifas nominated Leon Lukemeier.  No subsequent nominations were made.  Motion was made and carried to close nominations.  Leon Lutkemeier will serve as School Board President for the 2026 term.

Discussion:  Mr. Bauer opened the floor for nominations for the Office of School Board Vice President.  Leon Lutkemeier nominated Daren Niemeyer.  No subsequent nominations were made.  Motion was made and carried to close nominations.  Daren Niemeyer will serve as School Board Vice President for the 2026 term.

Discussion:  Mr. Bauer opened the floor for nominations for the Office of School Board Secretary.  Leon Lukemeier nominated Brant Karr.  No subsequent nominations were made.  Motion was made and carried to close nominations.   Brant Karr will serve as School Board Secretary for the 2026 term.

Discussion:  Mr. Bauer opened the floor for nominations for the Office of School Board Treasurer.  Leon Lutkemeier nominated Alan Bonifas.  No subsequent nominations were made.  Motion was made and carried to close nominations.  Alan Bonifas will serve as School Board Treasurer for the 2026 term.

Discussion:  Public comment was not utilized.

Discussion: 

Mr. Bauer reported:

1.  NASB Legislative Issues Conference will be January 25-26 in Lincoln. Please let me know if you would like to attend. It is a Sunday/Monday. Deadline to register is January 19th.  (Alan Bonifas & Daren Niemeyer expressed an interest.)

2.  February 18th (tentatively) is Legal Hot Topics with Justin Knight at ESU-9 in Hastings. 5:30 p.m. (This is Ash Wednesday) Is there an interest if it is that date?

3.  Americanism Committee hearing will be held at 6:45 the night of our February board meeting. Public Input is welcome.

4.  Reminder that the school calendar had the (food drive/toiletry item date off set as February 9th).

5.  We will begin working on calendars for the 26-27 school year. If you have questions please let one of the building  principals or myself know.

6.  NSAA Legislative proposal voting took place today. (Mr. Bauer shared with the board how we approach our votes)

7.  Unless you tell me otherwise, I expect to be actively involved in the legislative issues this year. Likely more so than last year. There are already a lot of bad bills for public education and we are just scratching the surface.

8.  I will be leading the Wynot external review on March 24-25th, Mr. Drake is serving on the team. Just a heads up in advance.

 

Discussion: 

Mr. Drake reported:

Enrollment: As of January 12, 2026

PreK-6: 134
PreK: 25
K: 20
1st: 7
2nd: 16
3rd: 14
4th: 13
5th: 23
6th: 16

Completed Events:

January 13th - Elementary Quiz Bowl @ Red Cloud
January 14th - Webster County Spelling Bee

Upcoming Events:

January 19th - Teacher In-Service
January 19-23 - Canned Food Drive
January 27 - Quiz Bowl @ Kenesaw
February 3rd - ESU 9 Elementary Quiz Bowl
February 11th: Parent/Teacher Conferences

Informational:

February 23rd - Title I review (Mr. Watt and I are working on this)
Preschool and Kindergarten Roundup will be on March 2nd
March 2-6 - Dr. Seuss Week
Leah Ostrander was hired as a para for the lower elementary.
Mr. Drake also added that Amelia Gomez placed 2nd and Caleb Hemberger placed 3rd in the Webster County Spelling Bee today.

Discussion: 

Professional Development / Meetings

January 14th - TVC Executive Meeting
January 14th - NSAA District Meeting
January 19th - Teacher In-Service
January 27th - CTE Day @ ESU 10

JH/HS Academic

December 24th-28th - NSAA Moratorium
January 5th - School Resumes
January 6th - Last Day to Drop and Add
January 7th - Alumni Day
January 14th - ASV AB Testing for Juniors
January 14th - Local Spelling Bee
January 16th - 1st Semester AR Party
January 28th - SL Local Science Fair

JH/HS Safety Drills

Fire Drill - TBA
Lockdown Drill - TBA

JH/HS Sports / Activity

Dec. 30th - HS BB @ BDS
Jan. 6th - HS BB @ Pleasanton
Jan. 8th - JV/C BBB vs Red Cloud
Jan. 9th - HS BB vs Blue Hill
Jan. 10th - JH BBB @ Kenesaw
Jan. 10th - HS BB @ GI Lutheran
Jan. 12th - JV/C BBB vs Sandy Creek
Jan. 13th - JH Quiz Bowl @ SL Invite
Jan. 13th - Fall Sports Banquet
Jan. 15th - JH BBB vs Franklin
Jan. 15th - HS BB vs DT
Jan. 16th - HS BB vs Giltner/Harvard
Jan. 17th - HS Speech @ GICC Invite
Jan. 20th - HS Quiz Bowl @ SL Invite
Jan. 20th - HS BB @ Franklin
Jan. 21st - FFA @ LDEs
Jan. 22nd - HS Quiz Bowl @ Shelton Invite
Jan. 22nd - JH BBB @ Harvard
Jan. 23rd - HS BB vs SEM
Jan. 24th - Wayne State Honor Band
Jan. 24th - HS Speech @ DT Invite
Jan. 24th - JV BB @ Giltner Tournament
Jan. 26th - JH BBB vs Shelton
Jan. 26th - JV/C BBB @ Axtell
Jan. 27th - JH Quiz Bowl @ Kenesaw Invite
Jan. 27th - HS BB @ Wilcox-Hildreth

Other:

Basketball Floor
Football Scheduling - February
JH/HS Data - Click Here
Prom on April 10th

Discussion:  The Elementary Principal for the Silver Lake Schools, shall upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, enter into a contract with the Silver Lake Board of Education for a period not to exceed one year.  The school year of the elementary and secondary principal shall be ten months (200) days.  The elementary principal shall also serve in an on call basis as deemed necessary by the superintendent of schools.

Discussion:  The High School Principal for the Silver Lake Schools, shall upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, enter into a contract with the Silver Lake Board of Education for a period not to exceed one year.  The school year of the elementary and secondary principal shall be ten months (200) days.  The secondary principal shall also serve in an on call basis as deemed necessary by the Superintendent of schools.

Discussion: 

Board Committees 2026

Americanism/Textbook/Parent Involvement

1. Jocelyn Serna
2. Adam Klein
3. Daren Niemeyer
4. Brian Karr

Transportation

1. Brant Karr
2. Eric Parr
3. Jocelyn Serna
4. Ryan Sorensen

Attendance/Discipline

1. Adam Klein
2. Brian Karr

Building & Grounds:

1. Brant Karr
2. Alan Bonifas
3. Eric Parr
4. Daren Niemeyer

Negotiations:

1. Daren Niemeyer
2. Leon Lutkemeier
3. Alan Bonifas

Foundation:

1. Leon Lutkemeier

Humpert Memorial Scholarship

1. Brian Karr

Safety

1. Brant Karr
2. Ryan Sorensen
3. Alan Bonifas
4. Jocelyn Serna

Discussion:  This policy needs to be reviewed annually.  This is simply a policy that Mr. Bauer has scheduled to review annually in January so we will need to re-affirm this policy as presented.  

Discussion:  The board must annually hold a public hearing on its Parental Involvement Policy and an annual evaluation of the Title 1 Parental Involvement policy.  After the hearing the Board must either adopt the revised policy or reaffirm it as written.

Discussion:  The board must annually hold a public hearing on its Parental Involvement Policy and an annual evaluation of the Title 1 Parental Involvement policy.  After the hearing the Board must either adopt the revised policy or reaffirm it as written.

Discussion:  The Board must review annually its policy on bullying.  The policy is up-to-date with current legislation and is in line with the guidance of our school attorneys (KSB School Law). 

Discussion:  Mr. Drake has been offered a one-year contract.  The Board of Education needs to set his salary for the 26–27 school year.  Mr. Drake's current salary is $97,250.  

Discussion:  Mr. Jones has been offered a one-year contract.  The Board of Education needs to set his salary for the 26-27 school year.  Mr. Jones's current salary is $99,250. 

Discussion:  Mr. Bauer updated the board of education on the current issues with the gym floor in Roseland and discussed potential issues moving forward.   Will look at obtaining estimates on the repair, sanding and possible replacement of the floor. 

Discussion:  The next regular board of education meeting will be Friday, February 13th at 7:30 am with the Americanism Committee meeting at 7:15 am at the elementary in Bladen.  Approval of the annual audit will be on next month's agenda.