Community High School District #71

Central Community High School District #71

7740 Old U.S. 50, Breese, IL 62230
BOARD OF EDUCATION - Regular Meeting
* Tuesday, February 18th, 2025 7:00 PM *

AGENDA

The regular meeting of the Board of Education of Central Community High School was held on February 18, 2025 at 7:00PM in the Media Center.

Members present were Mary Lou Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Kori Voss, Laura Jansen, Tim Richter and Amy Kruse.  Jeff Kampwerth was absent.  Visitors included Gina Benhoff and the Boys varsity bowling team and coaches.

The agenda was approved on a motion by Kori, second by Amy.  Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Laura Jansen, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse..  Nay – None

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved on a motion by Laura, second by Tanya.  Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Laura Jansen, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse..  Nay – None

The financial report and payment of bills were reviewed and accepted on a motion by Tim, second by Amy.  Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Laura Jansen, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse..  Nay – None

The annual Tri-County Institute was held virtually on Friday, February 14^th.  It is a cooperative program scheduled by the Regional Office of Education and funded by the Kaskaskia Special Education District.  As always, it offers many great programs and professional development opportunities for our teachers.  Our teachers are required to attend at least five sessions on that day.

We have received a notice of intent for expedited bargaining from the CCEA.   Our finance committee – Mary Lou Voss, Kori Voss, and Tanya Kampwerth – have been informed of the notice, and we are currently working on the process of selecting dates to begin bargaining.   As we move through negotiations, we will keep the rest of the board up to date with our progress.

We conducted the bid opening for the asbestos abatement and classroom remodel projects on Tuesday, February 11th.  There are essentially two parts to the project.  The asbestos abatement will remove all the asbestos containing drywall and compound from 2E, 3E, 4E, and 6E, and then a general contractor will come in to install new electric and drywall.  A motion to approve Owens Environmental to remove the asbestos in 2E, 3E, 4E and 6E for $54,800 was made by Amy, second by Laura.  Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Laura Jansen, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse.  Nay – None

A motion to approve Millenium Construction to install new electric and drywalling 2E, 3E, 4E and 6E for $86,000 was made by Kori, second by Tim.  Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Laura Jansen, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse.  Nay – None

Dr. Foutch recently met with representatives from Poettker Construction to discuss using their company as a construction manager on our “05-06 Addition Roof and HVAC Replacement Project.”  In a nutshell, a construction manager would execute the same responsibilities as a General Contractor in a project of this scope.   For example, they would solicit bids from subcontractors, and also oversee the work of those companies.   Along with that service, they would review the architectural drawings and bid specs and ensure our district is saving money where possible.  Working with Poettker would not create any additional costs for the project, and a CM has the potential to save us money in the end.  (For example, Poettker would not bill for change orders – like General Contractors do – because they assume the risk of unforeseen conditions at the front end of the project.) A motion to seek Construction Management Services for 05-06 roof addition and HVAC project was made by Kori, second by Tanya.  Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Laura Jansen, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse.  Nay – None

A motion to approve an overnight trip for FBLA on March 28-29 to attend the State Conference in Springfield was made by Amy, second by Laura.  Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Laura Jansen, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse.  Nay – None

There have been a ton of conversations taking place lately in regard to conference realignment.  It is Dr Foutch’s understanding that Mascoutah and Triad are going to move to the Southwestern Conference (which essentially breaks up the Mississippi Valley Conference).  Also, the Cahokia Conference is voting on Tuesday, February 18th to move Roxana and Wood River to the middle division (in all sports other than football) so our conference will be looking for two additional schools to join the large side of the Cahokia. 

Dr. Foutch reviewed the Superintendent’s evaluation process.

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT:

A quick update on our shadowing program…we have currently hosted St, Rose, All Saints, Bartelso, Albers, Damiansville, and half of D12. Early feedback has been positive and it has provided an opportunity for all of our departments to showcase what they have to offer. We have two rescheduled dates, one for Germantown and the other for the rest of D12.

Our official ACT test date is Wednesday, April 9. As our staff works all year to prepare our students for this assessment, now is the time for the final push. ACT prep sessions have now begun during advisory for any student interested. Thank you to our staff members for providing this opportunity.

A huge shout out to Stacey Boruff for working with our local medical agencies to bring individuals in from the community to talk with our students about the variety of medical professions. Recently, Dr. Craig Revermann was here to talk with students that are possibly interested in the chiropractic field.

We have five students from Central that will be competing in the FFA state degree interviews. The state degree is the highest honor the Illinois FFA Association can give a member. They must have made at least $1000 in their SAE project, have 25 hours of community service, keep above a 2.5 GPA, complete an interview about their project, and have attended at least five FFA events above the chapter level. We are so proud of the work of these five students. Cara Carrillon, Corbin Hilmes, Grace Henrichs, Shelby Hagen and Sarah Kohnen

Central's Academic Challenge team is 3-PEAT REGIONAL CHAMPIONS!!! This year Central dominated, as individuals placed in every category but one.

Every spring Central High School offers a Cougar Academy for our local 8th grade students. Mara Koerkenmeier plans the entire event along with many student volunteers. A select few are nominated as the Cougar Academy Emcees and this year they are: Josiah Boyer, Naomi Knapp, Karsyn Voss, and Zach Peters! Congratulations!

The board entered into closed session on a motion by Kori, second by Tim to discuss personnel. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Laura Jansen, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse.  Nay – None.  Motion carried at 7:48PM

The board entered back into open session on a motion by Tim, second by Tanya. Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Laura Jansen, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse.  Nay – None.  Motion carried at 8:11PM.

The board adjourned the meeting on a motion by Kori, second by Tanya at 8:12PM.  Roll call vote: Aye – Mary Lou Voss, Laura Jansen, Kori Voss, Tanya Kampwerth, Jeff Kampwerth, Tim Richter, Amy Kruse.  Nay – None

Mary Lou Voss                    Amy Kruse                  

Board President                                    Board Secretary