February 10, 2025 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Discussion:  The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm.  In attendance, Dorinda Brown, Kayla Zoucha, Shane Van Pelt, Nate Spurling, Chad Hoffman, & Megan Pike. Also in attendance Breanne Helgoth, Micah Fisher, & Jason Brown

Discussion:  All board members were in attendance.  

Discussion:  Allie Howell and Rylie Hofmann presented on behalf of the HPC student council.  They discussed the fun day activities held at semester break, the dates in which the HPC student council served ice cream, and ten birthday cake mixes were going out this coming month for students with birthdays. 

Discussion:  Community Input was taken.  

Discussion:  The consent agenda was presented and approved.  The motion by board member Megan Pike and second by Dorinda Brown.  Superintendent Brown called the roll and Dorinda Brown, Chad Hoffman, Megan Pike, Nathan Spurling, Shane Van Pelt, & Kayla Zoucha voted to approve the consent agenda.  None opposed. Motion passed 6-0.

Discussion:  Mrs. Helgoth reported on upcoming parent-teacher conferences Feb. 27th & 28th, 5th & 6th graders at the Polk Co. Spelling Bee, math resource day at ESU 7 on January 28th, MTSS team working to strengthen supports for students, ESU 7 ELA resource day on March 11th, celebrated the 100th day of school on January 29th, Read Across America week is March 6th & 7th, 6th grade students are providing treats for Valentines Day for all students, elementary students are doing a "thank you" video for the senior basketball players, Title I Breakfast & Books is February 25th, and last week was counselor week, we want to highlight Mrs. Bruce and Mrs. Grigsby for role in supporting our students.  

Discussion:  Mr. Fisher discussed board recognition week, "I Love Public Schools Day" on January 15th, counselors week on February 3rd-7th and thanked Mrs. Grigsby for all her work, the hygiene stations in all the bathrooms at the 7-12 bathrooms at Polk that Mrs. Grigsby has done, upcoming assessment schedules for NSCAS, ACT and MAP testing, parent-teacher conferences on Feb. 27th, and scholarships that are coming due for seniors with FAFSA for the seniors.  

Discussion:  Mr. Wood (given by Mr. Fisher)- the Polk County Spelling Bee-congrats to Jerry Carlson for finishing 2nd in 7/8th grade division, HPC Hall of Fame was held on Feb. 7th at the gym in Polk, wrestling districts for girls was Feb. 7th & 8th-Bailey and Dakota G. both qualified for state, boys wrestling district are Feb. 18th & 19th at Central Valley, Girls' basketball will host sub-districts on 17th, 18th, 20th, JH & HS CRC Quiz Bowl is Feb. 19th in Meridian, CRC Speech is Feb. 26th in Hampton, Gage Freisen was selected for 8-man all start game, JH winter sports are looking to go to different schedules in the CRC, girls basketball and boy wrestling before Christmas break and boys basketball and girls wrestling after Christmas break

Discussion:  Mr. Brown discussed CRC expansion possibilities with some possible COOPs coming, EMC will no longer be providing Safe Schools in our insurance bid, it must be purchased moving, a legislative update on the following bills, LB 390, 300 140, 303, 140, & 303, ESU-7 contracted services will be done in March, board of education recognition was January 26-Feb. 1st, thanks to the board for your hard work and dedication to the HPC district, Counselors Week was Feb.3-7th, thank you to Mrs. Bruce, Mrs. Grigsby, and Mrs. Welch, for all their effort for our students, The HPC Hall of Fame was on Feb 7th, congratulations to the three families and the state championship track team, and potential summer projects were discussed.

Discussion:  A discussion was held with Superintendent Brown and the HPC Board of Education in regard to PPACA on insurance and Affordable Cares Act money for all employees.  The Federal Government is now auditing prior years for the Affordable Cares Act funding.  Schools must use the funding to supply all employees with some type of insurance offering or coverage.  This funding will go towards classified staff.  The previous years audits will go back three to four years and schools could be faced with repaying the funding if adequate coverage was not provided.  

Discussion:  The board reviewed and took action in response to complaints about a student matter dating back to December.  President Van Pelt read a proposed determination for the board to consider.  The determination affirmed the actions of school staff and administration.  The determination is available on the district's public meeting website.  Board member Nate Spurling moved and Kayla Zoucha seconded the motion to approve the determination.  Superintendent Brown called the roll and Dorinda Brown, Chad Hoffman, Megan Pike, Nathan Spurling, Shane Van Pelt, & Kayla Zoucha voted to approve the determination.  None opposed.